Passport Expediting Secrets

The definition of "expedite" is "to speed up the process of". Synonyms include "quicken", "accelerate" and "hurry". Basically, passport expediting is the process of obtaining your travel document more quickly than can be done by requesting the normal processing time. How long does it take to process a passport application? Well, it depends.

This takes us to...

Passport Expediting Secret #1: Count On the Process Taking Longer Than Claimed

Presently, the U.S. Department of State claims that routine processing takes 4 to 6 weeks and expedited services takes 2 to 3 weeks. There is, however, NO GUARANTEE that you will get your passport within the stipulated amount of time. A lot of things can cause the process to take longer. Here is a quote from the State Department website.

"Processing times can vary depending on workload and occasional unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. During busier times, such as the summer travel season, we encourage customers to expedite their applications if traveling in less than 10 weeks."

If you plan on applying for expedited services either through a nearby passport application acceptance facility (in the case of a new passport) or by mail (in the case of a renewal), make sure you add an extra week or two to the processing time to minimize the chance of your passport not being delivered to you in time for your trip.

What can you do if your departure date is less than two weeks away or less than four weeks away if you need a visa? In this case, you can apply at a regional passport agency. This brings up the next secret.

Passport Expediting Secret #2: You (Probably) Don't Need An Appointment to Apply at a Regional Passport Agency

The website of the U.S. Department of State Passport Services makes the following claim.

"All Passport Agencies accept applications by appointment only."

The truth is...

...many applicants have been allowed to submit applications even when they had no appointment.

It is only reasonable that they would be. Passport Services exists to assist U.S. citizens in obtaining their travel document. A lot of applicant's never visit the State Deparment's website. Many who do visit the website never see the above mentioned claim because it is not on every page and not in a prominent location.

If you need to apply for a passport at a regional agency, the best thing is to schedule an appointment by using the Automated Appointment System. The toll-free phone number is 1-877-487-2778.

If you can't get through (which happens a lot) or there is no opening prior to your departure date, head on down to the nearest regional agency. If you arrive early in the morning with all your documentation in order, you should get your passport the same day.

TIP: Inform the guard that you have an emergency situation but do not have an appointment. This way you will be directed to the appropriate location.

What do you do when you need your passport in two weeks or less but can't travel to a regional agency? When faced with this situation, your only option is to contract a registered passort expediting service. This brings up the third and final secret.

Passport Expediting Secret #3: A Popular and Professional-Looking Website Does Not Always Mean You Will Receive Professional Expediteding Services

The majority of people who expedite their passports do so because they find themselves with urgent travel needs.

Unfortunately, there are individuals and companies that try to take advantage of travelers who need to get their passports quickly by charging fees that are more than double what most expediters charge and then not delivering on their promise.

The last time I checked, one of the most popular expediting companies with on online presence had 171 complaints registered against them, almost all of which have gone unanswered.

There are some expediters that charge as much as $399 for 24 hour service. And they even have the audacity to claim that they have the lowest prices on the Internet. Don't believe it. You can find the same service for $100 less.

There are expediters that will charge you $229 for processing your passport in 7 to 10 business days. Why in the world would anyone pay that amount when they could get the same service for only $99!

U.S. Passport Service Guide has researched over 121 private passport expediters and found the most reliable and professional to be Fastport Passport - Online Passport Service.