Straight answers on passports
Answer-first guides to processing times, photos, renewal, REAL ID, and urgent travel — grounded in official State Department sources.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport?
U.S. passport processing takes several weeks with routine service and roughly half that time with expedited service, not counting mailing time. The State Department updates its published processing times regularly, so check the official processing-times page before you apply — and add up to two extra weeks for your application and new passport to travel through the mail.
Read the guideU.S. Passport Photo Requirements: The Complete Checklist
A U.S. passport photo must be 2×2 inches, taken within the last 6 months, in color, against a plain white or off-white background, with your full face visible, a neutral expression, and no glasses. Your head must measure between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches from chin to crown. Photos that break any rule are the most common reason applications get delayed.
Read the guideCan You Travel With an Expired Passport?
No — you cannot travel internationally on an expired U.S. passport; airlines will deny boarding. For domestic flights, an expired passport is not REAL ID-compliant identification either, so you need another accepted ID. Many countries also require your passport to be valid for 3–6 months beyond your travel dates, so 'not yet expired' can still be too late.
Read the guideHow Much Does a U.S. Passport Cost?
A first-time adult U.S. passport book costs $165 total: a $130 application fee paid to the Department of State plus a $35 execution fee paid to the acceptance facility. Adult renewals cost $130 with no execution fee. Optional extras include expedited service ($60), 1–2 day return delivery, and a passport card ($30 application fee for adults).
Read the guideHow to Renew Your U.S. Passport Online
Eligible U.S. adults can renew a passport entirely online through the State Department's official renewal system: you create an account, upload a digital photo, answer eligibility questions, and pay by card. Online renewal is only for routine renewals of recent adult passports — first-time applicants, children, and anyone needing urgent travel must use other channels.
Read the guideREAL ID vs. Passport: Which Do You Need to Fly?
For domestic U.S. flights you need either a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (marked with a star) or another TSA-accepted ID such as a passport book or passport card. For international flights you always need a passport book — a REAL ID cannot cross any border. A valid passport works for both, so frequent flyers often skip REAL ID entirely.
Read the guideWhat Is a Passport Acceptance Facility?
A passport acceptance facility is an office designated by the U.S. Department of State — usually a post office, clerk of court, or public library — where first-time applicants, children, and people replacing lost passports present form DS-11 in person. The acceptance agent verifies your identity, watches you sign the form, collects the execution fee, and seals your application for mailing to the State Department.
Read the guideLost or Stolen Passport Abroad: What to Do
If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen abroad, report it immediately (form DS-64, online or at the embassy) and contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for a replacement in person. Consulates can typically issue an emergency, limited-validity passport within a few business days — fast enough for most travelers to continue or return home.
Read the guideHow to Get a Passport Fast: Every Expedited Option Ranked
The fastest legitimate way to get a U.S. passport is an appointment at a regional passport agency, available when you travel internationally within 14 days — some applicants leave with a passport the same day. If you have a few weeks, expedited service ($60) shortens processing substantially, and registered courier companies can hand-deliver your application to an agency on your behalf.
Read the guide