Government shutdown passport processing: can you get a U.S. passport?
Passport processing keeps going during a government shutdown. Passport services are paid for by the fees applicants pay, not by the yearly funding that runs out, so you can still apply for or renew a U.S. passport. The main exception: a passport office inside a closed federal building may not open. Right now there is no shutdown, and passport offices are working normally. The government is funded through December 11, 2026.
Passports: Normal Government: OPEN Live status
Can you get a passport during a government shutdown?
Yes. The State Department's passport office is funded by application fees. Its shutdown guidance says passport services, including passport agencies and the National Passport Information Center, stay open during a funding lapse, and that consular work at home and abroad continues as long as there are enough fees to pay for it.
New applications, renewals by mail and online renewals all continue. The one catch is location: if a passport agency is in a federal building that closes because of the shutdown, the State Department decides case by case whether that office can keep running.
Where to apply during a shutdown
- Post offices: keep accepting applications, since the Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.
- Libraries and county clerk offices: many accept applications, and they are not federal offices.
- Renewal by mail or online: continues as usual if you qualify.
- Passport agencies and centers (for urgent travel, by appointment): generally open, but confirm if yours is in a federal building.
Passport processing times
A shutdown on its own has not stopped passports from being processed. How long you wait depends mostly on the season and demand. The State Department's estimates in recent months have been about 4 to 6 weeks for routine service and 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service (for an extra fee), not counting mailing time. Its website lists the current processing times.
The State Department says its busiest period runs from late winter to summer, and suggests applying between October and December, when it is less busy. If you are traveling within 14 days, you can request an appointment at a passport agency.
What happened to passports in past shutdowns
Passport services ran through the 35-day shutdown of 2018–19 without disruption to operations or pay. In the 2025 shutdown, processing continued, but passport staff worked without pay, which was unusual for a fee-funded office. Most federal employees are in that position during a shutdown, but passport staff usually are not. That did not stop applications from being processed.
If a shutdown started after the next deadline
The next funding deadline is December 11, 2026. If funding ran out without a new law, passport processing would be expected to continue, since it runs on fees.
What travelers can do
- Apply early, at least a few months before an international trip.
- Check your passport's expiration date. Some countries require it to be valid for months after your trip.
- Track your application on the State Department's passport status website.
- Confirm in-person appointments at passport agencies during a shutdown.
- Plan for the airport too: security lines and flights can be slower in a long shutdown.
Passports are one of the services that keep working when the government shuts down. Our U.S. government shutdown tracker shows the live status.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a passport during a government shutdown?
Yes. Passport services are paid for by application fees, so the State Department keeps processing passports during a shutdown, as long as fee money is available.
Can I renew my passport during a government shutdown?
Yes. Renewals by mail and online renewals continue. Use the State Department's website to check whether you qualify to renew online.
Does a government shutdown affect passport processing times?
Passport processing has continued in past shutdowns. Times can still change for other reasons, such as the busy spring and summer season, so check the State Department's current estimates before you apply.
Can I apply for a passport at the post office during a shutdown?
Yes. Post offices keep accepting passport applications, because the Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown. Libraries and county clerk offices that accept applications are not federal, so they stay open too.
What if I need a passport urgently during a shutdown?
If you are traveling within 14 days, you can ask for an appointment at a passport agency or center. A few passport agencies are inside federal buildings, which can close in a shutdown, so confirm your appointment first.
Are visas affected by a government shutdown?
Visa services are also paid for by fees, so U.S. embassies and consulates generally keep processing visas while fee money lasts.