Routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited takes 2 to 3 weeks. But during summer travel spikes? Expect delays. Your cost isn’t just money—it’s the agony of waiting. You might pay an extra $60 for expedited and still receive your passport the day before your flight. That’s adrenaline you didn’t order. Also, if you mess up the photo (too much shadow? Wrong glasses?), you pay again. $15 down the drain. The government cares about your eyebrows.
One more sting: if you apply at a passport agency (like for same-day service), you pay $60 extra on top of the regular fees. Plus, you must prove travel within 14 days (or 2 weeks for emergency). It’s like a spy thriller, but with more forms and less action.
