How long does it take to get a passport?

Short answer: Routine service is currently 4 to 6 weeks and expedited service 2 to 3 weeks, plus mailing time. Apply months ahead if you can.

How long does it take to get a passport? According to the State Department’s processing-times page, routine processing currently takes about 4 to 6 weeks and expedited processing about 2 to 3 weeks. Those times start when the application arrives and do not include mailing in both directions, which can add a couple of weeks. Expedited service costs extra.

If you must travel internationally within 14 calendar days, you can request an appointment at a passport agency or center for urgent service, with proof of travel. Appointments are limited, so treat this as a last resort rather than a plan.

A few things that save time:

Apply early. Demand rises before spring and summer, so apply in the fall or winter for next year’s trips.
Renew online if eligible. Many adults renewing a recent passport can now renew online at travel.state.gov.
Get the photo right. A rejected photo is one of the most common causes of delay.
Children apply in person. Passports for children under 16 require an in-person application, normally with both parents or guardians.
Check the expiration date now. Many countries want months of validity left (see the next question), so a passport that expires next spring may already be too short for your trip.

Processing times change with demand, so check the official page again before you book anything non-refundable.

Question 2

Do I need a passport to go to Mexico, Canada or the Bahamas?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how you travel. U.S. citizens need a passport book for any international flight, including flights to Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas and the rest of the Caribbean. Arriving by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, you can use a passport book, a passport card, an enhanced driver's license from a state that issues them, or a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST. The details are on CBP's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative page . The passport card is cheaper and wallet-sized, but it is not valid for international flights. Closed-loop cruises — sailings that begin and end at the same U.S. port — are the main exception: U.S. citizens may re-enter with an original or certified birth certificate plus government-issued photo ID. We still suggest a passport book on every cruise, because if you miss the ship in a foreign port or have to fly home early, you will need one to board a plane. Planning a cruise? Ask for a free cruise quote . Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam are U.S. territory, so U.S. citizens do not need a passport to visit them; you will need a REAL ID or other acceptable ID to fly, and travelers leaving Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands pass through an inspection before returning to the mainland.

Question 3

How long must my passport be valid to travel?

Accepted Answer

Your passport's expiration date is not the only date that matters. Many countries refuse entry unless the passport is valid for a set period beyond your trip, and airlines can deny you boarding if it falls short, because they would have to fly you back. Common requirements: Six months beyond arrival or your stay — required by many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Three months beyond your planned departure — the rule for the Schengen area of Europe, which also requires that the passport was issued within the past ten years. Valid for the length of your stay — a few countries, including some close neighbors of the U.S., ask only this, but check rather than assume. Because the rules differ, read the entry requirements on the country information page on travel.state.gov for every country you will visit, including connections where you leave the airport. Check for blank pages too: some countries require one or two empty visa pages. The simplest rule of thumb: if your passport has less than six months left on the day you return home, renew it before you go.

Question 4

Do I need a visa or ETIAS to visit Europe?

Accepted Answer

U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourist or business visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, which covers most of continental Europe. Two new EU systems are changing the border routine: EES (Entry/Exit System) has been fully operating at the Schengen area's external borders since April 10, 2026. On your first entry your fingerprints and a facial image are recorded, replacing passport stamps; allow a little extra time at the border on that first trip. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be an online travel authorization that visa-free visitors, including Americans, must get before departure. As of late October 2026 it is not in operation, and the EU says it will announce the start date several months in advance. Until then, ignore websites that offer to "process" an ETIAS for you. Rely on the official EU site, travel-europe.europa.eu , for news of the start date. The United Kingdom is not in the Schengen area and runs its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which U.S. citizens have needed since January 2025. For anywhere else, check the State Department country page for visa rules before you book.

Question 5

Do I need a REAL ID to fly?

Accepted Answer

Yes, or another acceptable ID. Since May 7, 2025, TSA has required travelers 18 and older to show a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID — usually marked with a star in the upper corner — or another accepted document at airport security checkpoints for domestic flights. Accepted alternatives include a U.S. passport or passport card, a DHS trusted traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST), a U.S. military ID and several others; see TSA's list of acceptable IDs . If you arrive without acceptable ID, TSA may still let you through after verifying your identity another way. Since February 1, 2026, that verification (called TSA ConfirmID) carries a non-refundable fee, takes extra time at the checkpoint and is not guaranteed to succeed. Build in time or, better, bring a passport. Children under 18 traveling with an adult inside the United States do not need to show ID to TSA, though airlines may have their own rules for minors. To get a REAL ID, visit your state's motor vehicle agency with proof of identity, Social Security number and two proofs of address; each state publishes its own document checklist.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport?