United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has hailed State Department for breaking annual passport processing records for the third consecutive fiscal year.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Secretary of State revealed that approximate of 24.5 million passport books and cards were issued in 2024, which disclosed half a million more than last year’s record-breaking totals.
He also thanked the State Department for making the passport application process more efficient and convenient, adding that the service commitment for issuing routine passport applications is now four to six weeks.
According to him, “More than one million Americans have successfully applied to renew their passports through the Online Passport Renewal (OPR) system, which we fully launched in September.
“OPR allows applicants to securely renew their passports without leaving their homes or putting anything in the mail – a major modernization of government services for the benefit of the American people”, he said.
Blinken attributed these efforts delivery for the American people to improving efficiency, equity, and accessibility of the passport application process. “It contribute directly to America’s economic growth by facilitating international travel to build crucial business and investment ties.
The Secretary promised that in the 2025, the govt is looking forward to opening six new passport facilities – in Utah, Florida, Kansas, Texas, Ohio, and North Carolina – reducing travel time for Americans in need of passport appointments and other essential services, making international travel more accessible to the American people.
