The Department of State is expanding its passport services in response to increasing demand. Six new passport agencies will be added across the United States, including Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Orlando, Charlotte, San Antonio, and Cincinnati. This will bring the total number of passport agencies and centers operated by the State Department to 35.
The exact opening dates for the new passport agencies have not been announced yet. However, the State Department emphasized its commitment to providing prompt customer service to more Americans by establishing these new locations closer to where they live. The department also assured that despite the expansion, passport processing times will remain at pre-pandemic levels, ensuring efficient and timely service.
The State Department highlighted that more Americans have the opportunity to travel abroad now than ever before. The addition of these new passport agencies reflects the department’s dedication to meeting the growing needs of travelers across the country.
Passport agencies handle applications for travelers who have imminent international trips within 14 days or have urgent life-or-death situations. Appointments are necessary for these agencies.
Moreover, the State Department provides over 7,400 public passport acceptance facilities where travelers can submit their applications. These facilities include post offices, public libraries, local government offices, and more.
Additionally, the State Department organizes “Special Passport Acceptance Fairs” nationwide. Originally designed to expedite processing for first-time applicants, these fairs will take place during the summer in Arizona, California, Florida, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
In addition, travelers now have the option to submit their passport renewal applications online. This convenient service was initially introduced by the State Department in 2022 but was temporarily halted. However, it is important to note that only individuals who currently reside in the United States and possess passports issued between 2009 and 2015 are eligible for online renewal. Moreover, if travelers wish to make changes to their personal information, such as their name, they will not be able to renew online. The current processing times for passport renewal are approximately six to eight weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for expedited service, which incurs an additional fee of $60 as stated by the State Department.