What to Know About Making use of or Renewing a Passport Throughout the Authorities Shutdown

Making use of for or renewing a passport will be aggravating, particularly when getting ready for a world journey. The federal government shutdown, which started on Oct. 1, 2025, has impacted many federal companies, however for these touring overseas, there should not be a necessity for concern since passport processing hasn’t been affected. Passport processing is a part of Consular Affairs, which is taken into account a necessary service. “Throughout the lapse in authorities funding, consular operations domestically and overseas will stay operational. This contains: passports, visas, [and] aiding Americans overseas,” in keeping with the Division of State web site. 

Congressional appropriations do not fund passport processing; quite, processing is primarily funded by passport purposes, so this service is not straight impacted by the federal government shutdown. “Passports are funded by the U.S. Division of State and are primarily fee-funded, that means passport issuance is not depending on authorities funding,” says Sarah Silbert, managing editor for Factors Path.

Processing occasions have not modified because the authorities shutdown. Routine processing time is 4 to 6 weeks, and expedited service is 2 to a few weeks, in keeping with the Division of State web site. Mailing occasions are usually not included in these estimates; it may take as much as an extra month for them to obtain the appliance after which mail out the finished passport.

Touring internationally in two weeks or much less? Request an appointment by a passport company or heart. “These needing pressing journey paperwork ought to e-book an in-person appointment at a regional passport company and convey proof of imminent journey inside 14 days,” says  Reza Motalebpour, founder and CEO of INGWE Immigration.

Dr. John Rose, chief danger advisor for Altour, renewed his passport and e-book this October, with the entire course of taking 13 days. “That exhibits the system is working effectively proper now, however vacationers mustn’t assume that can stay the case if the shutdown drags on.”

It is suggested to plan forward and permit for attainable slower processing occasions if you happen to’re at present making use of for or renewing a passport. “There might be delays if passport-processing workers are impacted by furloughs or shutdown of different authorities businesses,” says Silbert. Lowered company workers and staffing disruptions throughout the authorities might trigger processing to take longer than regular. Motalebpour provides, “Within the 2018-2019 shutdown, for instance, passport operations continued at most places, though delays of 1 to 2 weeks have been frequent as a consequence of decreased staffing and slower safety clearances.”