Record Number of Americans Obtain Passports Faster Than Ever.
Americans are applying for passports at unprecedented rates, with the State Department announcing it has processed approximately 24.5 million U.S. passport books and cards this year. This marks the third consecutive fiscal year of record passport issuance, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In 2023, the State Department issued over 24 million passports, the highest number in 50 years. This total included 20.5 million passport books and 3.6 million passport cards.
Notably, more than one million Americans have utilized the government’s Online Passport Renewal (OPR) system to renew their passports. This milestone is significant, as the online portal was fully launched in September after extensive testing.
The OPR system is available for adult passport holders whose passports have expired in the past five years or are set to expire within the coming year. Applicants can now renew their passports securely from home, eliminating the need for a trip to the post office. However, children’s passports cannot be renewed online.
Earlier this month, the State Department projected that about five million customers could use the online portal annually, which represents two-thirds of all passport renewals.
The OPR system was developed in response to an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. The order aimed to enhance federal customer service and rebuild trust in government.
Regardless of whether they renew online or by mail, Americans are experiencing the shortest wait times on record. The current processing time averages just four to six weeks, which is significantly faster than the historical norm of six to eight weeks prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To put this in perspective, obtaining a passport now takes a third of the time it did in 2021, when processing times reached 12 to 18 weeks due to pandemic-related backlogs. It is also half as long as the wait during the summer of 2023, when routine processing times ranged from 10 to 13 weeks.
“This announcement comes after months of issuing passports well under the six to eight week commitment,” the State Department stated. It reflects the agency’s ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and accessibility of the U.S. passport application process.
The costs for obtaining a new or renewed passport remain unchanged. A passport book costs $130, and for an additional $60, expedited processing can shorten the wait time.
For those needing to visit a passport office in person, there is more good news. In the coming years, six new passport facilities will open in Utah, Florida, Kansas, Texas, Ohio, and North Carolina. This expansion aims to reduce travel time for Americans seeking passport appointments and essential services, Blinken noted in his statement.
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