Vice President, Retail and Post Office Operations
Avoid the Rush
I relish this time of year. The rush of the holiday season is over, and we now have time to take stock and prepare for the year ahead. For me, it’s time to get a start on vacation planning and those fun trips to see family and friends. It’s also a prudent reminder to dig out my passport to see if it’s up to date and valid.
It’s never too early to apply for or renew your passport; in fact, the start of the year is the best time to get your passport sorted. Applications tend to boom just before the peak summer and winter travel seasons, and this deluge can affect the time it takes the U.S. State Department to process passports. If you get that out of the way now, according to the State Department, your passport will be processed in four to six weeks — more than enough time for a getaway, even as soon as spring break.
Having my passport ready well in advance of a trip relieves a lot of stress. It gives me the peace of mind that this critical part of planning an international trip is done. If I want, I can take advantage of a special deal, which typically comes with a small window of opportunity. And if there’s ever a family emergency or an unexpected trip abroad, I am ready to go.
Passport requirements often shift, too, so what worked for you on your last trip may not be permitted this year. For many international journeys, you are required to carry a passport that is valid for at least six months after the completion of your trip, as well as other identification. Having a valid passport ensures a lot of issues can be resolved quickly and easily.
The U.S. Postal Service is your one-stop shop if you are applying for your passport, whether it’s your first one, one that’s expired more than 15 years, or for a child under 16 years old. We’ve been helping Americans with this process for more than 50 years — last year alone, we processed 7.8 million passport applications.
Those decades of experience have helped us develop a smooth, well-run passport application process. It can start with our simple-to-use USPS Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler tool, which you can find at usps.com; at one of our self-service kiosks in 2,200 USPS® locations; or by calling our customer care phone line at 1-800-ASK-USPS. Whichever method you use, in just moments, you’ll have an in-person appointment booked at one of the more than 4,800 Post Office™ locations across the country where these services are offered.
Once you’ve booked the appointment, our helpful how-to guide walks you through gathering relevant forms and filling out the State Department application, all the way to the in-person meeting. It’s a quick, painless process.
If time is of the essence, we also offer convent walk-in applications during designated times, at least three hours each week at almost every Post Office location that processes passports. The process is the same as for a scheduled appointment. Either way, we are there with you every step of the way.
We can even help if you are eligible to renew your passport.
At USPS, we know that the last thing you need when planning a trip is additional stress or bother obtaining your passport. We have the expertise and the right systems in place to help get you your passport quickly and affordably. We can even take your passport picture, too. So, start thinking about the trips you want to take this year, and if you need a passport, we are here, ready, willing and able to get things rolling right away.
Jennifer Vo
Vice President, Retail and Post Office Operations