U.S. Passport Processing Time Reduced

The time it takes to get a U.S. passport renewed has been cut.

The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs announced on Thursday that the time it takes to renew a passport is now 4 to 6 weeks, down from the 6 to 8 weeks that it had previously estimated. The new 4-to-6-week timeline applies to both paper and online applications but does not include mailing time.

The State Department is now offering expedited passports, which take 2 to 3 weeks, the same time as before. There remains a $60 expedition fee. The cost for passports remains the same–$130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card, and $160 for the two if you are an adult (aged 16 and older).

Overall, it’s been a good few weeks for Americans who might need to get a passport renewal soon. Aside from the timeline change, the State Department also recently fully launched its online passport renewal program.

Effective immediately, adult Americans are now able to renew their passports online, via the State Department’s portal, at any time of the day as long as their passport has expired within the last five years or will expire in this coming year.

The service allows Americans to pay, upload a photo, and apply completely online with no need to appear in person or send anything through the mail. It’s a welcome relief for a growing number of Americans wanting to travel abroad (the State Department says 5 million Americans per year will be able to use the service).