U.S. Passports are issued for a validity of 10 years for adult applicants (over the age of 16), and a validity of five years for minor children (under the age of 16).
Please ensure that all required documentation is submitted with your application to avoid any unnecessary delays. The processing times upon our receipt of a completed application are:
- Passport Books: up to 6 weeks
- Passport Cards: up to 6 weeks
Generally, passport applications are processed in less time; however, we require up to 6 weeks to ensure that we can issue a passport. Consulates will not respond to status-requests unless more than 6 weeks have passed.
Expedite Service Requests
The expedited service for the issuance of a U.S. passport is offered only within the United States. The U.S. Consulate General is unable to offer expedited service as U.S. passports are printed in the United States.
- Be sure to indicate your planned travel on the application forms so we can process it accordingly.
- If you have urgent travel within the next 15 working days, please refer to our information below regarding applications for emergency passports.
To ensure that applications are received in a timely manner, the U.S. Consulate General encourages applicants to submit applications via a courier service, or a higher priority mail delivery such as the Express Post Platinum service.
Emergency Passports
If you are traveling within 15 business days, we may elect to issue you an emergency U.S. passport, which will be limited to a maximum of 12 months validity. These passports are generally processed and issued on the same day as we receive a completed passport application.
Required documents
Application requirements, including fees, for emergency passports are the same as those for full-validity passports. For a list of required documents, please return to the Passport page and select the service you require from the list.
You should also be prepared to provide evidence of your upcoming travel (eg: a confirmed flight itinerary) with your passport application.
Submitting the Application
By Mail:
- If your passport application can be renewed by mail, please submit the application by mail and include a brief cover letter stating your travel date.
- If your passport cannot normally be renewed by mail but you require an emergency passport, the application will still need to be submitted in person at a Consulate.
In person:
- Applicants submitting their application in person should schedule an appointment with the U.S. Consulate – even if the first available date is after your planned travel.
- If you are able to schedule an appointment prior to your travels, there is no need to contact our office further. We will be able to assist you with a passport in time for your travels.
- Once an appointment has been scheduled, email the U.S. Consulate serving your area. Be sure to provide is with the details of the appointment you have scheduled, along with your travel date. Our office will then reschedule your appointment with a more suitable day to attend the Consulate and submit your emergency passport application.
Track your application
Applicants are advised to retain the tracking numbers of their Express Post envelopes so they can determine when an application is received in Sydney, as well as once we have mailed the new passport back.
Have you received my passport application? What is the processing status? When will I receive the new passport?Have you received my passport application?
Track your application package through the Australia Post website.
If it is noted as delivered, it has been received at the Sydney Consulate.
What is the processing status?
Passport applications can be tracked via the State Department’s Online Passport Status System. Note: It will take several days for the application status to show up in the system. Once the application is listed as “mailed” on this site, it means the new passport has been mailed to Consulates in Australia to complete final processing. Allow 7-10 days for the couriering of the passport from the United States to Australia, to clear through the Consulate’s mail-room, and be received in the American Citizen Services unit at the Consulate.
When will I receive the new passport?
If you have not received the passport 15 business days after the State Department indicates that the passport has been mailed, track the Express Post tracking number of the envelope you submitted with your application through the Australia Post website.