Passport Questions? Find the Answer.

With COVID-19 impacting our economy and government processes, passport agencies are feeling the impact of reduced staff and limited office locations. AAA members may be wondering where their renewed passport is, or why they have yet to receive a confirmation on paperwork. AAA Travel has gathered your most common questions and dug deep in our resources to find answers to your passport concerns.

1. What is the current status of passport operations?

As of June 11, various passport agencies and centers are entering phase one of the government’s reopening plan. Go to our Passport Agency and Center page for more information.

Passport agencies and centers are only open to assist customers who need a passport in the next 72 hours for a life-or-death emergency. For the health and safety of employees and customers, agencies are minimizing the number of times employees and customers come together in facilities and centers. Customers must make an appointment for life-or-death emergency service and cannot walk into agencies or centers.

2. What services can I expect in each phase of reopening?

The Department will resume processing passports in phases while protecting the safety of both staff and travelers.

Phase 1:  Limited processing of applications already received. Applications will be processed on a first-in, first-out basis, beginning with the oldest applications received. Customers with life-or-death emergencies by appointment only. Customers must wear cloth face coverings in all common areas, including lobbies, and observe strict social distancing. During phase one, it is recommended customers wait to submit new or renewal applications as delays will continue.

Phase 2:  Applications will remain processed on a first-in, first-out basis, beginning with the oldest applications received, while prioritizing life-or-death emergency cases. More appointments at agencies and centers will be offered. Services offered at agencies will continue to be by appointment only. Staff and customers should wear cloth face coverings in all common areas, including lobbies, and continue to observe social distancing. During phase two, it remains recommended that customers wait to submit new or renewal applications as delays will continue.

Phase 3:  Resuming of normal operations. Agencies begin to offer a processing time commitment for routine service and resume expedited service in this phase. You should continue to make an appointment to apply at an agency or center. Agencies address applications on a first-in, first-out basis, focusing on the oldest applications. Staff and customers may wear cloth face coverings in common areas and all are encouraged to maintain social distancing.

3. Are offices making progress on U.S. passport applications?

Yes. Every Thursday, the government publishes U.S. passport statistics. You can find historical U.S. passport statistics on our Reports and Statistics page.

4. Why can’t employees work on passport applications from home?

Passport applications must be adjudicated in agencies and centers to protect customers’ personally identifiable information and ensure the integrity of the application process. Agencies must physically print and mail passport books and cards back to customers from approved facilities.

5. What qualifies as a life-or-death emergency?

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 72 hours (3 days).

You must provide:

• A passport application with supporting documents
• Proof of the life-or-death emergency such as a death certificate, a statement from a mortuary, or a signed letter from a hospital or medical professional. Documents must be in English or translated in English.
• Proof of international travel (e.g. reservation, ticket, itinerary) specific to the emergency.

To make an appointment at a passport agency or center for a life-or-death emergency, you must call our National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY) on Monday- Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, except federal holidays. Call 202-647-4000 outside of these hours to make an appointment.

6. I already submitted an application. How long will it take for me to receive my passport and my citizenship evidence documents?

You will continue to experience delays in phase one and phase two. To see the current wait times to receive your passport and the return of your citizenship documents such as previous passports, and birth and naturalization certificates, please see the passport agency’s Processing Times page.

7. Can I get a status update on my passport?

Due to the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, at this time the government is not able to provide a specific update on when you will receive your passport and supporting documents.

If you call the National Passport Information Center or check our Online Passport Status System after you apply or renew, your application status may be “Not Found” or “In Process.” “Not Found” means your application is in transit to agencies and centers. “In Process” means your application is with the Department of State and will be reviewed as staff return in phases to agencies and centers.

8. Why did you cash my check if you are not updating my passport status?

One of the first steps in the process is handling passport fees. Although the government can process fees remotely, they are not able to handle secure documents such as birth certificates at home. Your applications and documents with personally identifiable information are secure, but the agency cannot further process these applications until staff return to passport agencies and centers.

9. Can I expedite my passport?

No. Suspended expedited service began in March. You cannot upgrade your application to expedite service at this time.

10. Can I apply now?

You can still apply now, but unless you have a life-or-death emergency, you will experience delays before receiving your passport and the return of your citizenship documents such as previous passports, and birth and naturalization certificates. 

If you need to apply in person (all children under age 16 and first-time applicants), you can apply at acceptance facilities.

11. Can I renew by mail?

You can still apply by mail. However, unless you have a life-or-death emergency, you will experience delays before receiving your new passport and the return of your previous passport. 

You do not need to renew your passport before it expires unless you are planning to travel internationally. Customers eligible to renew their passport have up to five years to renew their document after it expires. After five years from the expiration date, you must apply in person. Most countries require that your U.S. passport have at least six months of validity beyond the dates of your trip.

12. Will REAL ID still be enforced at airports later this year?

No. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended the deadline for REAL ID by one year until October 1, 2021. Beginning in October 2021, DHS will require customers to use a REAL ID to fly domestically. The most common REAL ID is a state-issued driver’s license. A U.S. passport book and passport card are two of many alternative documents that customers can use to fly domestically if they do not have a state-issued REAL ID. For more information on REAL ID, go to DHS’ website.

13. What about citizens overseas who need a passport?

Embassies and consulates are currently providing emergency passport services to customers overseas. For emergency passport services for U.S. citizens abroad, please contact the U.S. embassy or consulate closest to your current location. Customers should expect delays when applying for non-emergency passport or citizenship services.