How to Obtain an Expedited Passport
There are a few different ways to obtain an expedited passport. An expedited passport application can take as long as three weeks to process or it can be completed as fast as the same day. This article will discuss the different options you have to expedite a passport quickly.
The slowest way to expedite a passport is to mail the application (in the case of a renewal) or submit the form at an application acceptance facility (in the case of a new passport). Besides the normal requirements, you must pay an extra $60 fee if you are expediting the process. You are also encouraged to use an overnight deliver method and write the word “expedite” on the outside of the envelope. This is the process that takes up to three weeks to complete.
The fastest way to obtain an expedited passport is to visit a regional passport agency where you can get your travel document the same day. Basically, you schedule an appointment at the nearest agency then show up with the application and supporting documents. You must prove that you have an urgent travel need by presenting your ticket or itinerary. The number to call is 1-877-487-2778.
While passport applications can be expedited as quickly as the same day, there are a couple of problems that may hinder you from getting your passport that quickly. One, there may be no appointment available within the time that you need it. Regional agencies have a limited number of openings for appointments, especially for same day expediting service.
How far you live from the passport agency may also be a problem. There are currently 18 agencies located in major U.S. cities. While they are located in heavily populated areas and are easily accessible to a large portion of the American population, there is still a good number of citizens who would have to travel long distances to get to the agency. This may be your case.
If an appointment is available and you live close to an agency, then you can obtain an expedited passport in only a day or two. This includes the time it takes to make the appointment, gather the documents and get to the agency.
If no immediate appointment is available or you live far from the agency, you have two options. Either you schedule an appointment for a later date and travel to the agency yourself or you apply for an expedited passport through a professional expediter. You should be able to get your passport within 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on how far you live from the agency and when an appointment can be set up.
Professional expediting services are registered with the regional agencies and submit applications daily for same day service. If you request the assistance of an experienced expediter today, they could be submitting your application tomorrow and sending your passport to you that same evening.
You can request expedited service for any passport need whether it be a new passport, renewal, replacement, added pages or name change. Each has a specific application that specifies the requirements you must meet and documents you need to submit.
In summary, you can obtain an expedited passport in up to three weeks by mailing or submitting the form at an application acceptance facility or the passport can be processed the same day at a regional agency. What will determine the total time it takes to get the application expedited in this case is appointment availability, distance from the agency and whether you apply personally or through a reliable passport expediting service.