The The Department of State ("DOS") has published a regulation modifying the procedures for expedited passport issuance through its Passport Services Office . The new rule provides that DOS can adjust the time line required to process expedited applications during times of high demand. Prior regulations required expedited issuance with 3 business days. However, the Passport Services Office has been unable to meet this requirement due to an extremely high number of requests for expedited processing. To ensure that the Passport Services Office can continue to offer expedited service,the new rule provides flexibility during times of increased demand. This will result in processing that takes longer than 3 business days during times of high demand, but will ensure that the DOS can develop appropriate procedures for expediting, rather than eliminating expedited processing altogether during these times.
By way of background, the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) earlier this year, which requires U.S. citizens to obtain passports to travel within the Western Hemisphere, resulted in an unanticipated level of passport applications. This demand has slowed processing times for passport issuance significantly, and in turn, increased the demand for expedited processing. The Passport Services Office has been unable to meet the 3-business day expedite requirement set forth in prior regulations, leaving many travelers without recourse. The DOS hopes that the flexibility in this new rule will allow it to provide better and more appropriate service for these travelers, as well as more accurate information on processing times for applicants.
Passport application processing times, including the time frame for expedited applications, is available in the passport section of the DOS website, www.travel.state.gov. Regular processing currently takes about 10-12 weeks and expedited processing takes about 3 weeks.
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