With the summer travel season underway, my guess is that there are plenty of travelers who, in the midst of packing, suddenly realize they forgot to get a new or renewed passport. Which begs the question: How long does it take to get a passport?

ROUTINE SERVICE

According to the Department of State, if you apply for routine service — which costs $165 for new passports and $140 for renewals — processing takes approximately 4-6 weeks from the time of application.

EXPEDITED SERVICE

If you’re in a bind and need it quicker, for an extra $60 payable to Uncle Sam, you can request expedited service and have your passport in 2-3 weeks door-to-door (when overnight delivery is requested and paid for both ways to and from the passport agency).

REALLY EXPEDITED SERVICE

What happens when you go to take your passport out of your sock drawer — yes, that’s where I keep mine; no, I can’t think of anywhere else more secure — and you realize you left it hidden under that floorboard in your old apartment?

Thankfully, there are a plethora of passport companies that promise to get you a new one from anywhere from two weeks to, in some cases, overnight. A Google search for “expedited passports” returns 1.5 million hits for such services. Shop around, read reviews, and find one that fits your needs and budget. You can expect these companies to charge around $100 for a two-week turnaround, to around $300 for overnight.

BOTTOM LINE

The bottom line? Getting a valid passport isn’t like doing your taxes or going to the doctor: It’s not something you should put off. Go right now, check your passport, and make sure you have it and that it’s valid. The last thing you want to do is be stuck with travel plans and not actually get to go.

For full information on processing times, fees, and document requirements, visit the official Passports section of the Department of State’s website here.

Posted on June 03, 2011 by Matt Stabile