Speedy Passport Processing

The processing time for passports have been significantly reduced since last summer when I waited 10 weeks to get my renewal request processed. Amidst a flood of angry letters and calls to members of Congress, the U.S. Department of State increased the staff of the Passport Services Office to handle the increased volume that came when laws were looming to require passports for all international travel, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The date for the implementation of that requirement was pushed ahead to 2009, and the state department hired more staff. An alumni staff member recently received his passport in five days with normal service. This was not a renewal, and he did not pay for expedited service. The U.S. Post Office is not encouraging expedited service for passport applications or renewals unless you need the passport in less than a month. But if our staff member's experience is any indication, you can expect even faster service.