Record Increase Of Passport Requests Causing Major Delays

2023 is on track to set the record for the highest passport demand ever.

Post pandemic travel is causing passport panic stress for travelers who are looking to get abroad this coming summer.

The State Department says they are seeing an “unprecedented demand” for passports which is causing major for travelers who are trying to renew or initiate first time passports.

As of the current date, the U.S. Department of Travel has received more than 500,000 applications already in 2023. The agency reports this is a record-breaking figure for this time of year. The agency says are on track to set the record for the highest demand year ever, which will exceed past records set in in 2007 and 2017.

Officials say they are seeing people who haven’t traveled in a couple of years due to the pandemic and some who have let their passport expire or have lost track of their passport. Americans are scrambling to finalize their passport status so they can meet their travel plans.

Prior to this demand peak, the standard passport wait time ranged 6 to 8 weeks. Currently, it is estimated it could take 10 to 16 weeks to receive your completed passport.

Click here to learn the process of obtaining or renewing a passport. Click here for Arizona locations.  The application fee for a passport book is $130 plus a $35 acceptance fee. Expedited service costs an additional $60. A passport card costs $30 plus the $35 acceptance fee. Passport cards cannot be used for air travel and are only valid for travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.