How to get or renew a US passport during quarantine

Have you checked your US passport recently? Even if you are not going to travel abroad anytime soon, it might be worth taking a look at the expiration date. While travel agents generally recommend giving the government a few months to process passport renewals, it's no surprise that the timeline has gotten a bit longer during the COVID-19 pandemic. What to do if your passport is about to expire, the newspaper said CNTraveler.

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There is currently a significant backlog at the US State Department, which means people who need to renew their passport will take longer than usual.

How long does it take to renew a passport in a pandemic

“Due to the pandemic, expect delays in the renewal process as the U.S. State Department has temporarily suspended the expedited renewal process except for fee-based services such as CIBT visas,” says John Spence, president of travel company Scott Dunn.

Government renews passport statistics page every Thursday. As of September 24, there were 934 passports in the queue for issuance. Due to the phased reopening of US passport agencies and centers, which began in June, passport issuance times could be "significantly longer than usual," officials said. It usually takes six to eight weeks to renew your passport.

State Department officials say they have largely closed the gap created by the discontinuation of regular COVID-19 processing, with 97 percent of applications received in April, May and June completed. Most applications are now processed and returned to applicants within 10 weeks.

However, as of September 8th, only 11 passport agencies across the country were in the second phase of opening, which means services are still significantly reduced and therefore wait times have increased.

What about expedited service

Before COVID-19, you could pay $ 60 to get your passport renewed faster, in about 10-12 days. However, expedited service is not available at this time. On March 19, the government temporarily suspended fast-track passport processing for customers who applied at application points or renewed passports by mail. On June 2, the Department of State announced that Expedited Services will again be available in Phase XNUMX of the Opening Plan. The date for the third stage has not yet been set.

Do I need to send my passport by mail in order to renew it

At the moment yes. Sending your passport through the mail - with uncertainty about when it might be returned - is scary. But within seven to ten business days after mailing, you will be able to track the status of your application on this page after entering your last name, date of birth, the last four digits of your social security number and security code.

On the subject: A person instead of a passport: how air travel will change in the near future

“It’s always smart to take pictures of your passport before you submit for renewal,” adds Spence. “If your passport gets lost in the post office, at least you have a copy to refer to and it will save you the extra time and hassle of renewing it.”

Passport expires in less than six months, what to do

“Simply put: start the upgrade process immediately,” says Spence.

If you have an emergency, you can do it personally, not by mail. Passport agencies and centers are only open to assist clients who need a passport in the next 72 hours in case of an emergency of life or death, such as serious illness, injury or death of your next of kin, including a parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sister, grandmother or grandfather. You must make an appointment in advance at an emergency facility near you.

What if the passport still has a year of validity

Experts are divided on this issue. Wendy Murphy-Murphy, travel consultant for global agency Frosch, recommends waiting for the country to enter the third phase of opening before attempting to renew her passport, as the move will allow third parties to enter passport offices in person.

On the subject: Obtaining a US Passport: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

On the other hand, Bahar Schmidt, founder and CEO of luxury travel resale marketplace Eluxit, says you should start the renewal process immediately if your passport expires in 2021. “If anyone is planning to travel abroad in the next year, take the time to apply now so it's ready when you're ready to go,” she says. “It takes a minimum of three months now to obtain a passport, and in some cases it can take up to six months.”

Can I use an expired passport?

“Don’t wait until the deadline,” says Murphy-Murphy. Ideally, your passport should be valid for a full year after you return from any trip. When planning a trip, first of all pay attention to the validity period of your passport. You have the right to renew it by mail for up to five years after the expiration date. After five years, you will have to reapply in person.

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