Hello, I'm new to this game and am already for a few days waiting for approval of my handle. Does it always take such a long time?

If you register and add a handle for a multi account, then it takes a lot longer since the regular join team members aren't allowed to process your account. Only Asims can do that and they mostly have other stuff to do.

That would explain why it is taking so long for my son to get his handle approved. It is still a frustrating wait.

Unfortunately there are currently 15 registered or potential illegal multis in the handle queue, and only one Asim actively working on them. SO it could be a few days on average.