Americans without passports worried about delays jeopardizing their winter gateways can rest easy, knowing that processing times have dropped, according to a U.S. State Department statement on Thursday.
It’s not a myth—more than 50% of U.S. citizens do not hold passports. Several factors contribute to this particular situation, setting them apart from their peers in other developed countries.
Historically, domestic travel within the stunning, vast and diverse American mainland and overseas territories has been enough to satisfy the need for travel of most citizens.
But that’s no longer true for younger generations, especially for those drawn to digital nomadism or remote work, according to official data.
A fresh need for passports has surged since the end of the pandemic, leading to long processing times—up to 13 weeks for standard applications and 9 weeks for expedited, but more expensive, services.
Many Americans have reported that this bottleneck has forced them to cancel or delay their travel plans, voicing frustration over the requirement to submit old passports for renewals. However, that’s a standard practice around the world.
Today, we woke up to good news. Americans eager to explore the world can now expect the regular passport processing to take four to six weeks, down from the previous six to eight weeks.
For those needing their passports faster, the expedited service can process your travel document in two to three weeks, for an additional $60.
Keep in mind that these new processing times don’t include mailing times, which can mess up a little bit with the process.
“It may take two weeks for your application to get to us, and two weeks for you to get your passport after we mail it,” warns the U.S. State Department.
However, the reduction in processing times is due to a new online passport renewal system that became available nationwide last month, after multiple rounds of beta testing.
To take advantage of this service, travelers must be over 25, upload a photo, and pay with a debit or credit card through the platform.
Which U.S. States Travel Overseas the Most?
The desire to explore overseas doesn’t seem to appeal equally to all Americans.
According to USAFacts, in 2023, the residents of New Jersey led the nation in passport requests, transforming 766,830 people into potential international travelers—representing 8.3% of the state’s population, the highest rate of any U.S. state.
Other states with residents eager to engage in international travel include Massachusetts (7.7), Hawaii (7.6), and New York (7.5).
As of today, the U.S. has issued 0.48 passports per resident. However, this doesn’t mean that 48% of Americans hold passports, as citizens can possess both passport books and passport cards, meaning the actual number of passport holders is fewer than it might seem.
What to Do if Your Passport Is Stolen, Lost, or Damaged
If your passport is ever stolen, destroyed or lost, don’t waste any time—immediately file the DS-64 form with the U.S. State Department.
This report is shared across the US and Interpol’s Stolen/Lost Travel Document databases, helping to prevent wrongdoers from taking advantage of your stolen identity.