Advertiser disclosure: Paperwork Hero is free to use. We may earn a commission when you sign up through our links. It never changes our scores. How we make money

Updated Nov 2026

Government processing times tracker

How long the most common paperwork actually takes right now, straight from the official sources, with the fees and the fastest legitimate option for each. We re-check these regularly.

Task
Official time
Government fee
Need it faster?
Passports
Passport, routine
4–6 weeks + up to 2 weeks mail each way
$130 renewal · $165 new
Compare services
Passport, expedited
2–3 weeks + mail
+$60
Expedited options
Passport, urgent travel
Agency appointment if traveling within 14 days
Same fees + $60
See how
Passport, online renewal
Routine only, can’t be expedited
$130
Who qualifies
Travel programs
TSA PreCheck
Usually 3–5 days, up to 60
~$80–$85 / 5 yrs
Compare providers
Global Entry
Often several months
$120 / 5 yrs
Is it worth it?
Identity & life events
Social Security card replacement
5–10 business days after processing
Free
How to apply
Name change (core documents)
About 6–10 weeks
Varies
Free checklist
Notary & legal
Online notarization
About 10–15 minutes
$25 (platform fee)
Compare notaries
Apostille, state document
Same day to several weeks
~$0–$40
Apostille options
Apostille, federal document
Several weeks
$20
Apostille options
Business
EIN from the IRS
Immediately when you apply online
Free
Free at irs.gov
LLC formation
Same day to ~3 weeks, by state
State fee varies
Guide coming soon

Sources: travel.state.gov, tsa.gov, cbp.gov, ssa.gov, irs.gov and state agencies, checked Nov 2026. Official times exclude mailing unless noted. Times change with seasonal demand, so always confirm with the agency before you book travel.

Get a heads-up before it’s urgent

Tell us when your passport, PreCheck or license expires and we’ll remind you early enough to renew without paying for rush service.

you@email.com
Remind me