Passports are taking up to 18 weeks (almost 5 months) right now to renew or to apply for a new one.
B3 is recommending that everyone check thier passport now – especially if you plan to travel before the end of 2021. Passports are generally valid for 10 years for everyone 16 and older 5 years for everyone under 16.
Most countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after you return from a trip (you must also have at least one blank page). So, when you are checking the expiration date, make sure to (basically) subtract 6 months from the expiration date that shows on your passport. But trust us, many airlines will not let you board your outbound flight if your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return date.
Many passport facilities are still closed and those that are open have limited staff. In person appointments are being prioritized for emergency needs. Expedited processing which a lot of people rely on (and costs $60 extra) is taking approximately 12 weeks.