Looking to travel in the new year? Some place exotic? Good for you! What? You don’t have your passport yet?? I guess you had better get on that right away!
Getting your passport has gotten easier since the pandemic slowed everything down. The Department of State now says that it should take 4 to 6 weeks to process your passport application. Expedited processing may take as little as 2 to 3 weeks.
However, to get your passport in the estimated time means there will be no glitches in the processing. Those glitches may or may not have anything to do with you. Here are some potential problems beyond your control that can affect getting your passport in the estimated time.
Things that can delay processing
First, those times don’t include mailing times. Especially this time of year, it may take longer for your application to get there and then get back. So you can easily add another 2 to 4 weeks to that timeline.
Second, there may be national holidays during the time your application is in transit or during processing. That can also add time to the process.
Third, there could be some kind of disaster. That disaster could be local, national or international. Perhaps there is a hurricane, fire, flood or a new war somewhere in the world that pulls resources for the Department of State.
There is nothing you can do about those things but if you apply early enough you won’t have to worry about them. There’s nothing like planning ahead!
Things that can add to delays that you can control.
An unacceptable passport photo – the requirements for a passport photo are very specific:
- Your passport photo must be 2 x 2 inches.
- It must show your entire face and head, from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin.
- Your image in the picture should measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches in the photo.
- The background must be plain white or off-white with no shadows.
- You must look straight at the camera with a neutral expression or a slight smile.
- Both eyes should be open and clearly visible.
- Avoid tilting or turning your head-keep it centered and level with the camera.
- You should wear everyday clothes for this photo.
- Don’t wear uniforms, camouflage, or anything that looks like an official outfit.
- Don’t wear hats, scarves, or other head coverings (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons).
- You can’t wear glasses in passport photos, even if you wear them daily. This is to make sure your face is clearly visible. 1
Mistakes in your application – Errors on the application can be fixed but can cause major delays which adds to the processing time.
You sent the wrong payment amount. You must include the correct amount for the type of passport you are applying for and any additional fees for expediting, rush delivery, or other services.
You tried to use cash or a credit card for your application. Passport applications must be paid for with a check or money order.
You didn’t send the right documents. – New passport applicants must provide an original birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, certificate of citizenship, or naturalization certificate.
Passport renewal applicants can use a valid, undamaged passport. However you may have problems with the renewal if:
- Your passport was issued when you were 15 or younger,
- Your passport was issued over 15 years ago,
- Your passport is significantly damaged
- Your passport was issued under a previous name without legal documentation of the name change.2
Passport Fairs
One of the ways to speed up the process of getting/renewing your passport is to attend one of the passport fairs the Department of State puts on in your area. Below are the ones listed on their website for December. If you click on the link below the list, it should give you more information about these and future events.
Location                                 City                State  Date   Time   Appointments Required?
Cedar Grove Town Hall        Cedar Grove      NJ     Dec 10  9am-3pm        Yes
Passaic Clerk’s Office           Paterson            NJ     Dec 10  4:30pm-7pm   No
Passaic Clerk’s Office           Wanaque           NJ     Dec 10  4:30pm-7pm   No
Bridgewater Branch Library  Bridgewater      NJ     Dec 11  4pm-7pm      Yes
Woodland Park Muni. Bld.    Woodland Park   NJ     Dec 11  10am-1pm      No
Peachtree City Public Lib.     Peachtree City   GA    Dec 14  10am-2pm       No
Verona Town Hall               Verona              NJ     Dec 17  9am-3pm        Yes
Somerville Branch              Somerville         NJ     Dec 18  4pm-7pm       Yes
West Caldwell Library          West Caldwell    NJ     Dec 18  9am-3pm        Yes
Nutley Parks and Rec           Nutley             NJ     Dec 20  9am-3pm        Yes
From: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/passports/special-passport-acceptance-fairs.html
1 https://blog.us-passport-service-guide.com/10-things-that-delay-passport-applications/
2https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/passport-photo.html