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Passport wait times double ahead of travel season

CHICAGO (CBS) -- If you're making plans to travel abroad, make sure you give yourself enough time to get your passport or get it renewed.

It's more than double what it used to be - now taking up to 13 weeks.

You can blame a surge in demand after the pandemic as it caused major delays at processing centers.

The state department issued nearly 22 million passports last year- a record high.

Right now, demand is up at least 30%. Even with more staff, wait times are still growing.

The issue could get worse this summer with an expected record-breaking travel season.

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