{
  "schemaVersion": 1,
  "slug": "processing-times",
  "title": "US document processing times",
  "scope": "20 official statements covering FBI, federal apostilles, domestic passports, and six state offices. Delivery, missing documents, holidays, and overseas-post processing are excluded. Each figure is published by the named agency. Not a promise.",
  "question": "How long do US document steps take?",
  "intro": "The FBI publishes approximately 10 days after receiving a mailed fingerprint card for an online request. Delivery time is extra. Published agency times are not a promise.",
  "description": "Official processing times for FBI checks, federal apostilles, US passports, and six state apostille offices. Delivery is extra, and times are not a promise.",
  "lastVerified": "2026-10-24",
  "nextReview": "2026-10-31",
  "updatePolicy": "Weekly human source review. Record changes without overwriting history.",
  "complete": true,
  "columns": [
    {
      "key": "name",
      "label": "Request route"
    },
    {
      "key": "value",
      "label": "Published figure"
    },
    {
      "key": "unit",
      "label": "Unit and start point"
    },
    {
      "key": "previous",
      "label": "Previous observation"
    },
    {
      "key": "changedAt",
      "label": "Last observed change"
    }
  ],
  "evidencePolicy": "Each value comes from the official source linked on its row. Sources checked on the date shown. Not published means the official page we read did not publish that detail.",
  "rows": [
    {
      "id": "fbi-electronic",
      "name": "FBI online with USPS electronic fingerprints",
      "agency": "FBI",
      "value": "Within 48",
      "unit": "hours after USPS electronic fingerprints",
      "minimum": null,
      "maximum": 48,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": 48,
          "unit": "hours after electronic fingerprints"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "fbi-card",
      "name": "FBI online with mailed fingerprint card",
      "agency": "FBI",
      "value": 10,
      "unit": "approximate days after receipt of card",
      "minimum": null,
      "maximum": 10,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": 10,
          "unit": "approximate days after receipt of card"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "fbi-mail",
      "name": "FBI mailed request",
      "agency": "FBI",
      "value": "Up to 15",
      "unit": "days, plus mail delivery",
      "minimum": null,
      "maximum": 15,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": 15,
          "unit": "up to days, plus delivery"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "auth-mail",
      "name": "Federal apostille by mail",
      "agency": "State Department",
      "value": "Within 5",
      "unit": "weeks from receipt, plus delivery",
      "minimum": null,
      "maximum": 5,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": 5,
          "unit": "weeks after receipt, plus delivery"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/office-of-authentications.html",
      "sourceDate": "2025-12-22",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "auth-walk",
      "name": "Federal apostille walk-in",
      "agency": "State Department",
      "value": 7,
      "unit": "business days; same page heading says 2 to 3 weeks",
      "minimum": null,
      "maximum": 7,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": 7,
          "unit": "business days; same page heading says 2 to 3 weeks"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/office-of-authentications.html",
      "sourceDate": "2025-12-22",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "passport-routine",
      "name": "Domestic passport routine processing",
      "agency": "State Department",
      "value": "4 to 6",
      "unit": "weeks, excluding mailing; not an overseas post estimate",
      "minimum": 4,
      "maximum": 6,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "4 to 6",
          "unit": "weeks, excluding mailing; not an overseas post estimate"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/processing-time.html",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "passport-expedited",
      "name": "Domestic passport expedited processing",
      "agency": "State Department",
      "value": "2 to 3",
      "unit": "weeks, excluding mailing; not applicable abroad",
      "minimum": 2,
      "maximum": 3,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "2 to 3",
          "unit": "weeks, excluding mailing; not applicable abroad"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/processing-time.html",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "ca-mail",
      "name": "California mail queue",
      "agency": "California Secretary of State",
      "value": "2026-10-14",
      "unit": "received-date queue snapshot, not a duration",
      "minimum": null,
      "maximum": null,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "2026-10-14",
          "unit": "received-date queue snapshot, not a duration"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/processing-times",
      "sourceDate": "2026-10-23",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "ca-counter",
      "name": "California counter",
      "agency": "California Secretary of State",
      "value": 30,
      "unit": "typical minutes after submission",
      "minimum": null,
      "maximum": 30,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": 30,
          "unit": "typical minutes after submission"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/processing-times",
      "sourceDate": "2026-10-23",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "pa-mail",
      "name": "Pennsylvania mail, service page",
      "agency": "Pennsylvania Department of State",
      "value": "5 to 7",
      "unit": "business days after receipt",
      "minimum": 5,
      "maximum": 7,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "5 to 7",
          "unit": "business days after receipt"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.pa.gov/services/dos/get-document-certifications---apostilles",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "pa-program",
      "name": "Pennsylvania mail, program page",
      "agency": "Pennsylvania Department of State",
      "value": "2 to 3",
      "unit": "weeks, excluding mailing; conflicts with service page",
      "minimum": 2,
      "maximum": 3,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "2 to 3",
          "unit": "weeks, excluding mailing; conflicts with service page"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/programs/document-certification",
      "sourceDate": "2026-10-23",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "pa-queue",
      "name": "Pennsylvania mail queue",
      "agency": "Pennsylvania Department of State",
      "value": "2026-10-19",
      "unit": "received-date queue snapshot, not a duration",
      "minimum": null,
      "maximum": null,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "2026-10-19",
          "unit": "received-date queue snapshot, not a duration"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/programs/document-certification",
      "sourceDate": "2026-10-23",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "ga-mail",
      "name": "Georgia mail",
      "agency": "GSCCCA",
      "value": "1 to 2",
      "unit": "business days",
      "minimum": 1,
      "maximum": 2,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "1 to 2",
          "unit": "business days"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.gsccca.org/notary-and-apostilles/apostilles/general-apostille-information",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "wa-standard",
      "name": "Washington standard",
      "agency": "Washington Secretary of State",
      "value": "7 to 10",
      "unit": "business days, subject to volume",
      "minimum": 7,
      "maximum": 10,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "7 to 10",
          "unit": "business days, subject to volume"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/apostilles-services-information-resource-page",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "wa-expedited",
      "name": "Washington expedited",
      "agency": "Washington Secretary of State",
      "value": "2 to 3",
      "unit": "business days",
      "minimum": 2,
      "maximum": 3,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "2 to 3",
          "unit": "business days"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/apostilles-services-information-resource-page",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "nj-standard",
      "name": "New Jersey standard",
      "agency": "New Jersey DORES",
      "value": "12 to 20",
      "unit": "business days after receipt and entry",
      "minimum": 12,
      "maximum": 20,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "12 to 20",
          "unit": "business days after receipt and entry"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.njportal.com/dor/apostille",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "nj-expedited",
      "name": "New Jersey expedited",
      "agency": "New Jersey DORES",
      "value": 8.5,
      "unit": "business hours, subject to workload",
      "minimum": null,
      "maximum": 8.5,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": 8.5,
          "unit": "business hours, subject to workload"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.njportal.com/dor/apostille",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "ut-mail",
      "name": "Utah mail",
      "agency": "Utah Lieutenant Governor",
      "value": "1 to 3",
      "unit": "business days after receipt",
      "minimum": 1,
      "maximum": 3,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "1 to 3",
          "unit": "business days after receipt"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://authentications.utah.gov/frequently-asked-questions/",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "wi-standard",
      "name": "Wisconsin standard",
      "agency": "Wisconsin Secretary of State",
      "value": "2 to 5",
      "unit": "business days, subject to volume",
      "minimum": 2,
      "maximum": 5,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "2 to 5",
          "unit": "business days, subject to volume"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://sosdocs.wi.gov/pdf/faqs.pdf",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "wi-expedited",
      "name": "Wisconsin expedited",
      "agency": "Wisconsin Secretary of State",
      "value": "1 to 2",
      "unit": "business days, subject to volume",
      "minimum": 1,
      "maximum": 2,
      "history": [
        {
          "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
          "value": "1 to 2",
          "unit": "business days, subject to volume"
        }
      ],
      "previous": null,
      "changedAt": null,
      "sourceUrl": "https://sosdocs.wi.gov/pdf/faqs.pdf",
      "sourceDate": "undated",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-24",
      "method": "official"
    }
  ],
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-24",
      "summary": "First source-backed release. Missing checks remain explicit. No prior observations are claimed."
    }
  ],
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/"
}