Overview
- The guarantee, which took effect Wednesday, gives a full refund if routine processing passes 30 business days.
- Refunds happen automatically, and the processing clock runs from when a complete application is received to when the document is printed and verified, with mailing time excluded.
- Routine service targets are 10 to 20 business days depending on where people apply, so the 30‑day promise acts as a backstop above normal timelines.
- The policy does not cover certain administrative services, child refugee travel documents and child certificates of identity, urgent or express services, or files handled during exceptional circumstances.
- Passport fees rose March 31 to $58.50 for a child, $122.50 for a five‑year adult, and $163.50 for a 10‑year adult, a hike the government links to inflation and higher production costs.