US Passports Now Available

To prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the US Department of State 'significantly reduced passport operations in March 2020.

And, temporarily suspended expedited passport processing and restricted service to cases involving life-or-death emergencies.

As of July 13, 2020, certain US passport offices are resuming operations in 'phases'.

However, the services are focused on customers who need a US passport in the next 72 hours (3 business days) for a Life-or-Death Emergency, which are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family that require you to travel outside the United States.

The State Department’s Alert said there are now 5 passport agencies and centers in phase two and 11 others in phase one of its reopening plan.

Highlights from the State Department’s phased opening plan are as follows:

Phase 1:  Applications will be processed on a first-in, first-out basis, beginning with the oldest applications received. We will continue to prioritize services for customers with life-or-death emergencies by appointment only. We will continue to recommend customers wait to submit new or renewal applications as delays will continue.

Phase 2:  Applications will be processed on a first-in, first-out basis, beginning with the oldest applications received. Our returned staff will continue to prioritize life-or-death emergency cases by appointment at our agencies and centers. Services offered at our agencies will continue to be by appointment only. During phase two, we will continue to recommend customers wait to submit new or renewal applications as delays will continue.

Phase 3:  All remaining staff returns to our agencies and centers, and we plan to resume normal operations. We will resume expedited service in this phase. You should continue to make an appointment to apply at an agency or center. We will continue to address applications on a first-in, first-out basis, focusing on the oldest applications.

Note: Life or Death passport applicants must provide 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 medical professional, and proof of international travel specific to the emergency.

Furthermore, every Thursday, the State Department will publish U.S. passport statistics so you can track weekly progress as staff at the agencies and centers safely work on applications. 

Historical U.S. passport statistics can be found at the Reports and Statistics page.

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.

For emergency passport services for U.S. citizens abroad, please contact the U.S. embassy or consulate closest to your location. Customers should expect delays when applying for non-emergency passport or citizenship services.

Passport and vaccination certificate news is published by Vax-Before-Travel.