Here’s What to Know About Getting a US Passport in 2023

A U.S. Passport cover in Washington. The Biden administration says American citizens holding recently expired U.S. passports will be allowed to return home from abroad on that document until the end of year. AP Photo/Eileen Putman

State Department officials have confirmed that the agency is attempting to speed up its passport renewal services for Americans following pandemic-related slowdowns.

While some destinations don’t require American travelers to have a passport, most countries require them. Officials say that wait times are down from the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic amid staffing shortages.

How Long?

“The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reduced the Department’s capacity to issue passports,” the U.S. State Department told USA Today earlier in January. “However, we made great strides over the last year to lower passport processing times and are currently meeting our service standards, which almost match pre-pandemic norms.”