If you thought it was difficult to get a passport in the past, then you may be happy with some of newest changes that apply to not only getting a passport for the first time but renewing one. Unfortunately, not all of them are positive which will surely leave some people unhappy, but here are some of the passport changes that you need to know about.
Passport Renewals Online
In the past, it took a lot of effort just to renew a passport. Now, you do have the option to renew your passport online. This feature is expected to have a soft release sometime in the summer.
Passport Fairs
Those who never have gotten a passport before may have been putting it off because they are confused by how the process works. To encourage first-time applicants to actually get their passport, the U.S. Department State Bureau of Consular Affairs will be holding passport fairs. There will be plenty of people on hand to answers questions and to help individuals get their passport in as efficiently as possible.
Improved Status Updates
Soon you will no longer have to call to get a status update for your passport. Those seeking a passport can ditch long hold times and get updates via email or SMS. This will help keep applicants informed about what’s going on with their passport and let them know when it is being mailed.
Passports For Domestic Travel (In Some Circumstances)
If you don’t have a driver’s license that meets REAL ID act requirements and you plan on flying, you should get one soon! This is because those flying domestically will need to have a passport if their license doesn’t meet those requirements. This can turn out to be quite the hassle for some as a passport to fly domestically wasn’t a requirement in the past as long as you had the proper ID.
Longer Wait Times
Many of these changes will encourage more people to apply for a passport for the first time or renew their expired one. Because of this, it may take longer to get a passport. On average it currently only takes about 4 to 6 weeks to get one, but that will probably change. So if you plan on traveling, don’t wait until the last minute to get a passport or renew one that is expired or about too!
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