Rush Passport Expediting

If you who need to obtain a passport quickly, you need to apply for rush passport expediting service. Regular proccessing of passport applications takes four to twelve weeks depending on the demand at the time the application is sent. For travelers in emergency situations, that is just too long to wait. In order to get a passport in a hurry, you have three options.

A request can be made for expedited service when applying directly through the U.S. Department of State Passport Services. Applications for new passports must still be presented to an agent at a local acceptance facility. Renewals, name changes and requests for additional visa pages can be sent by mail if certain criteria are met. There is an additional fee of $60 for the expedited service. The completed application, required documentation and payment should be sent by overnight express mail. The word "expedite" should be written on the outside of the envelope. Using this method to expedite a passport application should get your travel document in your hands withing three to our weeks.

If your departure date is in less than fourteen days away and who do not need a visa or if you plan to travel within twenty-eight days and need to obtain a visa need, you will have to choose a different method of expediting your passport. One option is to visit a regional passport agency. Agencies are located in fifteen major cities in the U.S. These include Aurora (Colorado), Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Norwalk (Connecticut), Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

An appointment at the regional agency can be made by calling the National Passport Center at 1-877-487-2778. The automated appointment system operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It may take you a while to get through if you are calling during a period of the year when a lot of people travel. While the State Department requests that travelers make an appointment before visiting a passport agency, some travelers claim that it is not necessary. If you want to take the risk, just arrive early and inform the guard that you do not have an appoitment. This way you can be directed to the right place.

What can you do if you need your passport in less that two weeks but you can't travel to a regional agency? The only option you have is to contract a private expediter. When you apply through an expediter, you authorize them to represent you. Once the expediter receives your application and documentation, one of their employees will hand deliver it to the regional agency. Once the application is processed, your passport will be picked up and sent to you by overnight delivery. Fees for this service vary according to the expediter you contract and how quickly you want your passport processed. You can pay as little as $39 to get your passport in two weeks or as much as $299 to get it the next day.

Obtaining a passport in just a few days can be quite stressful and costly. Three simples tips might help you avoid this in the future. Apply early. Keep your passport in a safe, memorable location. Remember the expiration date. Of course, there are things that are out of control. When this happens and you need rush passport expediting service, it's good to know what your options are.

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