Methods and apparatus to handle unordered signaling radio bearer (SRB) packets are disclosed. In some aspects, the apparatus may be a user equipment (UE) or a base station. The apparatus may receive a signaling radio bearer (SRB) packet, buffer it in a radio link control (RLC)-to-Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) reordering window, and selectively forward or discard the SRB packet based upon a reordering timer with a first expiration period that is greater than a second expiration period associated with a data radio bearer (DRB) reordering timer, to give the apparatus extra time to receive a missing SRB packet while maintaining a shorter latency for DRB packets. In some aspects, the apparatus may detect an out-of-order (OOO) SRB packet and request retransmission without waiting for a sending communications device to check on receive status.