how long does it take to get a passport?

[Bill McBlueState]

My wife and I are applying for passports this afternoon so we can go on our "delayed honeymoon" to the UK. (We're in the US, both citizens.) There's an extra fee you can pay for faster processing.

Can anyone tell me how long it should take, with or without the special processing?

Thanks!

[Braden]

1. 90 days at most

probably 45 days for real. The extra fee is $45 last I remember and it brings it down to two weeks or so. But I haven't renewed my passport in the post 9-11 state department world so some things may have changed.

maybe the fee is $65.

[pmbryant]

2. With the 'expedited' processing, I got mine in a week last year

Without it, I think it takes more like 4-6 weeks, or possibly more.

EDIT: I should say that this was for renewing a recently expired passport. I don't know if it is different for getting a brand new one.

:shrug:

--Peter

[pagerbear]

9. In 1996

...way back in the middle ages, when we elected our Presidents, I got one the same day by going to the passport office for it. I'd lost my old one. Then the old one turned up when I was packing to move. Then I lost the new one in Germany and got a new one in one day at the embassy in Berlin. Then my new old one turned up in my friend's flat in Berlin, behind his sofa.

Just thought I'd share that.

[radwriter0555]

11. That's right. I paid about $100 to get mine in the week. Well worth

it, with the speedy delivery.

Far less chance of it getting lost or mislaid as well.

Remember to make photocopies of it to take WITH AND leave at home in case you lose it.

[Superfly]

3. Without expedited service

I received mine in 2 weeks.

I did include a SASE (express mail) and that probably helped.

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. If you go with the expedited service...

about two weeks. Otherwise, more like six weeks to two months...

[jonnyblitz]

5. I applied for a new one (lost my old one, it expired anyway)

on September 11 and recieved it about one month later in October in time for my trip to Amsterdam in November of last year. It should take about a month no problem if all of your records are in order.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

6. I used the expedited service in November

I got my passport in less than a week (they ship it from PA). It costs $125 including shipping. I was really impressed-usually government agencies are slow.

[MichaelHarris]

7. passport

I got mine in like weeks without any of the extra costs for speedy service. Did I just say "speedy" in reference to any government service?

[Bill McBlueState]

8. thanks for the advice!

It looks like with the expedited service, we'll have no problems. Without it, we'll probably cut it close.

This'll be our first time off the continent, so we're pretty excited. But then, the handful of people I work with who are from the UK say, "Why do you want to go there?" :)

[veganwitch]

10. just make sure everything is PERFECT

your passport can get delayed if you picture has you looking to the slightest fraction to the side or up and down.

you need original documents for EVERYTHING!