Passport backlogs — embassy warning

The U.S. Embassy in Spain and Andorra told Americans on April 17 to check passport expiration dates now because processing is taking 4 to 5 weeks. (es.usembassy.gov) The embassy’s notice was aimed at summer travelers and said people should renew even without booked trips because last-minute travel can happen. It also singled out children’s passports, which are valid for 5 years instead of 10. (es.usembassy.gov) The State Department’s passport site says routine service is for travel in 6 weeks or more, expedited service is for travel in less than 6 weeks, and mailing can add up to 2 weeks each way. It also warns that total turnaround is processing time plus mailing time, not just the agency’s internal clock. (travel.state.gov 1) (travel.state.gov 2) The timing lines up with the government’s own seasonal warning. Travel.State.gov says passport demand is generally higher from late winter into summer and tells applicants to plan ahead during that stretch. (travel.state.gov) Passport validity rules can create problems even when a document has not expired. The State Department says some countries, especially in Europe, require passports to stay valid for months beyond travel dates, and its Europe guidance says Schengen-area trips generally require 3 months of validity beyond planned departure from the European Union. (travel.state.gov 1) (travel.state.gov 2) The embassy’s warning landed alongside a broader caution about travel paperwork. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says its office-closings page, last updated April 15, 2026, lists offices that are closed or temporarily operating on changed hours and should be checked on the day of an appointment. (uscis.gov) That matters for applicants who need biometrics, interviews, or in-person help tied to visas, green cards, work permits, or other immigration filings. USCIS says visitors should confirm office status before traveling because closures can happen for weather or unexpected events. (uscis.gov 1) (uscis.gov 2) People who have already applied for a passport can track the case online with their name, date of birth, and last four Social Security digits. The State Department says status updates move through “In Process,” “Approved,” and “Passport Mailed.” (travel.state.gov) For Americans in Spain, the embassy says emergency passports are available only in specific, limited circumstances and must be requested in person in Madrid or Barcelona. The practical message in the April 17 alert was simpler: check the passport now, not at the airport. (es.usembassy.gov) (es.usembassy.gov)