State Department Stops New Passport Applications Except for Emergencies
U.S. Department of State has temporarily halted passport services with the exception of travelers with a “qualified life-or-death emergency.” The move comes as the government is trying to limit travel and slow down the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19 NY Post reports.
US will only be issuing new passports in “life-or-death emergencies,” which include serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (e.g. parent, child, spouse, sibling, aunt, uncle, etc).
A policy change was issued on March 20th at first, and then updated on March 27th. Looks like now passport services are only available for customers with a qualified life-or-death emergency and who need a passport for immediate international travel within 72 hours. To make an appointment at a passport agency or center for a life-or-death emergency, you must call our National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. The wording itself is not very clear on the State Department website.
Individuals who need to renew their passports can proceed as usual, but without the expedited service option.
