Passport Delays: This Summer is a Bad Time to Lose Your Passport

One of the staples of summertime is family vacations domestically and internationally. If your group plans to take a trip out of the country this year, you'll want to double-check to ensure your passport expiration dates aren't quickly approaching. 

While travelers applying for new passports have experienced delays, those who are renewing their passports have also been impacted by the backlog of applications. So, if you need a new passport or a renewal, you'll want to start the process immediately. 

Another group severely impacted by the delays is those with a lost passport. In most cases, there isn't enough time to get a replacement passport, and expediting the process can be extremely expensive. One way to avoid a lost passport is with the help of a Bluetooth tracking device like Tile. 

The following sections will explore the current passport delay crisis and ways to keep your passport safe before your summer travel plans. 

Passport Application Delays Derail Summer Travel

Two leading causes for the current passport delays are increased demand and understaffed offices. This year's demand for passports surpassed last year, with the State Department seeing 30% to 40% more weekly applications. 

The growing influx of citizens looking for a new passport or applying for a passport renewal has caused the average wait time to increase from six to nine weeks to well over four months. 

Another reason for the drastic increase in passport delays is staffing shortages. In hopes of quickly catching up to the demand for international travel, the State Department has been on a hiring frenzy, with team members joining the customer service and processing departments. 

Don't Lose Your Passport Ahead of Traveling

While the application process for a new passport is slowly progressing, individuals who have lost their passports are also experiencing the fall out. Unfortunately, with passport delays increasing, there is often little time to file for a replacement passport if you lose your passport a few weeks before the vacation. 

Utilizing a tracking device is one way to ensure your travel plans stay on track. Many of these devices have a useful app that will lead you directly to where your lost passport is, saving you several stressful days of searching. 

How Tile Trackers Can Help You Keep Track of Your Passport

Of all the Bluetooth tracking devices for your passport, Tile offers several of the best, including the Tile Slim and Tile Mate. Both options easily fit inside a traditional passport cover and sync with the Life360 app.

You can utilize two features from the app to find your lost passport. The first is the finder feature that allows you to press the Find button, causing a loud ringing sound to emit from the tracking device. You can also access the Life360 Network if your passport isn't in your home or vehicle.

The Life360 Network sends an anonymous alert to other Tile-connected devices to help track down and locate your missing passport without other users knowing.