We were wondering how long does it take to get a passport..just the normal way ? No special service

If things were running normal about 6-8 weeks, possibly shorter. I would order it now for your May cruise though. They continue to change the rules which confuses people. This causes them to delay getting a passport, then when they need it there is a back log. Get your passport now.

Yes, I would order it now to be safe.

We waited until the Summer rush was over and applied in September ~ got ours in 2 weeks regular request...guess we were the lucky ones! We were totally surprised to get them so fast. We figured the rush has slowed down, and will pick up again late Winter...do it now! Don't delay.

You need them, so get them NOW:-)...Have a Great Cruise....


Bob E

Mailed out for Passports and got them back in two weeks...really great service!

Woo Hoo MemaSue!

This is great news, and congrats to you!

Dwayne

Way to go MemaSue! You were as lucky as we were. My wife marked on our calendar 10 weeks from our applicaiton date, and it was so funny when we got to that date on our calendar and had already had our for 8 weeks! WOOHOO!!!!!!
Rodney

My wife and I ordered ours in September and got them 10 days later - no rush requested. My two boys ordered theirs between Christmas and New Years, and got theirs 10 days later - no rush quested. The feds are doing something right!

quote:

Originally posted by MemaSue:
We were wondering how long does it take to get a passport..just the normal way ? No special service

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I sent for my passport in early October, and got it in two weeks. But if you are going in May I agree with the other posters and order it now. A friend at my job, went Jamaica last year in May, and only allowed about a little over two months before she requested her passport to she had to put a rush on it, and got it the day before she left, it took over 10 weeks, even with the rush.

we now live in a world where you always need passports. They are always a good thing to keep updated

As the Borg would say on Star Trek..."resistance is futile". Those who procrastinate in getting passports are being foolish. The new reality is that everyone needs to get a passport and keep it current.

And lest you think you are safe if you are renewing one that has expired ... my husband's renewal took 10 weeks to receive - almost didn't get it in time for the cruise - thank heavens it was before they were required.

May is peek time to travel, and lots of people might be thinking the same way to wait to get passport's , so as it has been stated here don't wait , better safe with passport , than to be waving as boat leaves with out ya

According to a recent interview with a State Department official, March is their busiest month for applications and they still use 4 to 6 weeks as their standard answer for the turnaround time.

Also note that sometime this year they plan to start issuing the new "passport card" which is the size of a driver's license. This is cheaper than a standard passport, but is good for 10 years and will be acceptable ONLY for land and sea travel in North America, the Caribbean, and to Bermuda. It is no good for air travel, and not accepted for travel to areas outside the western hemisphere. This may be a good thing for people who travel to Canada and Mexico often, but I wouldn't consider getting one in lieu of a regular passport. I don't want a travel document that is restricted.