The U.S. Department of State (DoS) has officially shattered its own records once again, issuing 27.3 million passports in Fiscal Year 2025. This surpasses the previous 2024 record of 24.5 million by nearly 3 million documents.
At U.S. Passport Service Guide, we have tracked these trends for over 20 years. This latest data isn’t just about big numbers; it reveals a fundamental shift in how Americans travel and what you need to know to secure your own documents in 2026.
Key Data Highlights
- Total U.S. Passports Issued: 27,348,416 (a ~11% increase over last year).
- U.S. Passport Cards: 4,544,022 issued, driven largely by the May 2025 REAL ID deadline.
- Circulation: Over 183 million valid U.S. passports are now in circulation (nearly 50% of the population).
- Top-Performing State: California remains the leader, issuing over 3.1 million passports in a single year.
What’s Driving the 2026 Surge?
1. The REAL ID Ripple Effect
The most significant driver for this new record was the final implementation of the REAL ID Act on May 7, 2025. Millions of domestic travelers who lacked a compliant driver’s license turned to the US Passport Card as a federally approved alternative for airport security. This surge is expected to continue through 2026 as more US citizens comply with the federal mandate.
2. The Success of Online Passport Renewal (OPR)
The full launch of the Online Passport Renewal system in late 2024 made the process significantly more accessible. By removing the need to mail physical checks and forms, the system processed over a million applications in its first few months, contributing heavily to the 2025/2026 record.
3. The “New Normal” for International Hubs
While California, Texas, and New York continue to dominate in total volume, Washington, D.C. continues to see unprecedented growth. With a high concentration of diplomats and federal employees, D.C. issued over 226,000 passports—a massive number relative to its small population.
2026 Trends: State-by-State Breakdown
These 10 states were responsible for the bulk of the 2025 record-breaking volume. If you live in one of these “High-Demand” states, you should expect tighter appointment availability at local passport processing offices, like post offices, in 2026.
Essential Takeaways for 2026 Passport Applicants
Plan for “Door-to-Door” Time
While the State Department has maintained a commitment to a 4–6 week routine processing, the record volume means that mailing times are the new bottleneck.
In 2026, wait times could be up to 10 to 12 weeks from the day you mail your application to the day it arrives at your door.
Don’t Rely on “Walk-Ins”
With nearly 30 million people seeking documents annually, passport acceptance facilities (like post offices and local libraries) are moving almost exclusively to appointment-only models.
If you need a passport for summer 2026 travel, book your appointment no later than January or February.
Use a Professional Expediter for Deadlines
If you are traveling in less than 2–3 weeks, the record demand may make it difficult to secure an emergency appointment at a Regional Agency.
Using a registered passport expediting service remains the most reliable way to bypass the 27-million-person queue and get your passport in as little as the same day.
The U.S. State Department recommends using an expedited service for rush delivery when you need your passport in a hurry. What’s more, expert passport expeditors Rush My Passport have teamed up with FedEx: “to offer expedited U.S. passport services nationwide… travelers… can stop by one of 2,000 convenient FedEx Office locations.”
Final Thoughts
The record-breaking 2025 and 2026 boom proves Americans are traveling more than ever. While the State Department has increased its efficiency, the sheer volume of applicants means that early planning is no longer optional; it is essential.
Safe travels,
Laura
