Our mailbox greeted us with a rather pleasant surprise this past weekend: my wife’s new passport.
I say “pleasant” because we didn’t think we’d see the darn thing for a long time.
Passport Backlog
We submitted her renewal application in June. Passport processing times were markedly slow even back in April. And it’s gotten worse since then.
The US State Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services Rachel Arndt said last week that fulfillment times are taking 12 to 18 weeks.
“This means people who submit new passport applications right now will not get their new passport until well into the fall,” said Ms. Arndt. “Last-minute passport appointments are extremely limited. U.S. citizens who wish to travel overseas this summer and do not currently have a passport may need to make alternate travel plans.”
Greaaat.
New York Senator Chuck Schumer said his “office has been deluged with people who have been planning their vacation, who have reservations, who have tickets, and have waited weeks and even months to get passports and visas.” He then asked the State Department “to put some more emergency personnel in those two areas.”
Mrs. C’s Passport Renewal Timeline
On Monday, June 7, my wife had her passport picture at a FedEx Office store (or “Kinko’s” as some of us nostalgically still call it). She completed the paperwork that night. She wrote a check for $170: the passport application fee was $110 and we added expedited service for $60.
The next day, we put everything together and I popped the envelope in the mail en route to grab a Taco Tuesday lunch. 😉
Cut to: this past Saturday, July 17. Waiting in our mailbox was an Express Mail envelope with her brand-spanking-new US passport.
Updating Her Global Entry and Delta SkyMiles Profiles
Remember to update your Global Entry account (and any loyalty programs) with your new passport number.
We talked about this recently — but it seems the government website is now giving some people problems. We had difficulty getting the Trusted Traveler website to accept her new passport info. At least one Eye of the Flyer reader experienced the same issue when trying to update their profile.
We have several LAX trips planned during the next few months. We’ll just arrive a little earlier than originally planned and visit the CBP office inside the (perpetually under-construction) Tom Bradley International Terminal. The officers there will have to manually update her profile.
I had a slightly easier time with Delta.com. I plugged in her updated information. However, the passport will need to be verified by a Delta rep before our next international trip. No big deal there. (FWIW: I’ve accomplished this with Sky Club check-in and/or help desk agents when using hand luggage only during international mileage runs.)
Final Approach
Passport renewal times very much seem like a your-mileage-may-vary situation. We’re happy it took only six weeks — and feel like it was that “short.” If you’re worried about an upcoming international trip and have an expiring passport, now’s the time to get on it. Make sure to use the expedited service.
If you’ve renewed your passport during the past few months, how long did it take to receive your new booklet? Please share your experience in the below Comments section.
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Did mine in May on routine service and it took about 5 weeks. They said 8-12 at the time.
Just and FYI – In regards to Delta I received my updated passport back in Feb 2018. I right away updated my Delta profile online with my new passport #. I’ve taken several international trips since then and each time it still says the passport needs to be verified. Somehow even though I’ve checked in with Delta agents it did not sync up.
I submitted my renewal (*not*expedited) shortly after Mrs. C. I just happened to check last night, coincidentally, and the site said I was “In Process,” quoting me the 12-week figure (plus “up to 6 weeks” for mailing—sounds about right for USPS these days 😉 ). Fortunately, I have no immediate travel plans that would be impacted.
This is so helpful to read; thanks for posting. I submitted my materials as you did, including the expedited fee, and overnight return postage, and the check cleared on July 2. Today is July 22. I will try to post again when it arrives. With your experience as a guide, I guess I am looking at something like August 15, if the timeline ends up being similar to yours. Thanks again.
I’ve applied on June 8th and still nothing. My online status shows that my application was received on July 9th. and it is going to take 12 weeks plus 8 weeks to the door-to-door time.
Mailed both my wife and my renewal apps on August 6 2021 to Philadelphia Centre received back on October 28 2021 – hmmmm, almost 3 months, real tired bunch