Kansans headed abroad this summer may see passport delays. How to get yours in Wichita
With summer vacation season quickly approaching, growing passport delays could cause some roadblocks for Kansans planning their trip abroad.
Due to high demand, delays are now reaching four months, according to a report by CNBC. According to the U.S. Department of State, the current time to receive a new passport or renew is 10 to 13 weeks, while the expedited time is seven to nine weeks. However, those projections do not account for the time it takes to fill out and mail your application. It can take up to two weeks for the application to get to the department, and an additional two weeks for you to actually receive your physical passport once processed.
The expected wait times are even longer than estimates from March, when the federal agency said it would take eight to 11 weeks for a regular processing and five to seven weeks when expedited.
“As more Americans are traveling internationally again, we are directing resources to meet the unprecedented demand seen so far in 2023. 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 March press release reads.
AAA Kansas tweeted recently noting the upcoming season could be a “very busy summer for travel.”
Here’s how you can get your passport in Wichita and how much it will cost you.
What you need to apply for a passport
In order to apply for a passport, you have to complete an application in black ink and appear in person at a passport office. You need proof of U.S. citizenship and a state- or federal-issued identification.
Fees vary depending on multiple factors.
If you’re applying for the first time and you’re older than 16, you have to pay an application and an acceptance fee. The acceptance fee is $35, while the application fee is $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card or $160 for both. If you’re older than 16 and renewing your passport, you just have to pay the application fee.
Those applying for a child’s passport have to pay the application and acceptance fees. Costs are $35 for the application fee, $100 for a passport book, $15 for a card or $115 for both.
Where you can apply for a passport in Wichita
There are multiple locations around Wichita where you can apply for a passport. Here’s a list, from the state department’s website:
- Sedgwick County Register of Deeds, 100 N Broadway Suite 105, 316-660-9400
- Wichita Downtown Station, 330 W 2nd St., 316-267-7710
- Wichita Public Library Alford Branch, 3447 S Meridian, 316-350-3261
- Wichita Public Library Evergreen Branch, 2601 N Arkansas Ave., 316-303-8181
- Wichita State University Passport Acceptance Center, 1845 Fairmount St., 316-978-3550
