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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The State Department announced on Tuesday they are experiencing record passport demand for this time of year and advise those traveling this summer to check their passports in advance.
The Department said they are expecting this summer to be the busiest on record, as more Americans are traveling internationally again. Each week, the Department of State is receiving hundreds of thousands of new passport applicants. During several weeks over the winter, the Department received more than 500,000 new passport applications.
"We are on track to set the record for the highest demand year ever, far surpassing volumes seen during previous surges in demand in 2007 and 2017," the State Department said on its website.
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Due to the high demand, many customers are experiencing longer passport processing times. The Department said routine passport processing takes about 8 to 11 weeks while expedited processing takes about 5 to 7 weeks for an additional $60 per application.
To check a passport application status customers can click here.
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