Need to get a passport in 24 hours or less? If you need to get a passport fast, you need to understand what to expect to avoid frustration and delays.
While it is possible to get a passport today, certain conditions must be met to make it happen.
Here are a few questions you should consider:
Waiting at least 3 business days can result in big savings when applying through a professional passport expediting service.
For example, most passport couriers offer the following service turnaround times:
Fees increase depending on how quickly you need to get a passport.
The answer depends on the type of service you need and where you are currently located.
Applying for a 24-hour passport renewal is much easier than trying to get a new passport fast. To get a new passport, applicants must go in person before an authorized agent who witnesses the signing of the application. This isn't a rule for passport renewals. Renewal applications can be sent by mail.
Your location also matters. If you are located near 1 of the 26 regional passport agencies you have a better chance of getting a passport in a hurry-especially if you plan on submitting the application yourself.
Regional agencies found in places like New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and Seattle provide expedited passport service for American citizens who need to get their travel document urgently.
NOTE: Travelers in emergency situations who submit evidence of travel plans may receive same-day processing.
We recommend that you make an appointment first, but when you need your passport in 24 hours, there may be no time for that.
You can try showing up at the nearest agency when the doors open, but there is no guarantee that your application form will be accepted. There is a limit to the number of applications processed at each agency. Agencies with a high volume of requests may not be able to attend to walk-in requests.
Even if you are unable to personally apply at a regional processing center (or you do not want to risk appearing without an appoirntment), it is still possible for you to get a passport in 24 hours by applying through an experienced passport expediting service.
You will need to mail your application to the expediter overnight or hand-deliver it so that they can submit it to the regional agency on your behalf. Also, you must give the courier the documents required by the Department of State Passport Service and a third party authorization letter.
You may be thinking, "How can an expediter do this?"
Each expediting service registered with the U.S. Department of State is allowed a certain number of openings each day to submit applications for expedited service. Expediters are experienced at getting a passport in 1 day. So, even if you cannot get an appointment, a courier may have an open slot.
Once the new passport is issued, the service provider can get it to your location. In some cases, couriers can even deliver your documents to you at a major airport if they have an office located in the same city.
If you need to get a passport in 24 hours, make sure that you use a well-established company that has a proven track record for getting applications processed quickly.
If you are struggling to find a passport expediter who can guarantee same-day service, it may be a sign of higher-than-normal application volume. Sometimes there are so many people trying to get passports that even the pros have to wait.
Remember: a reputable provider will not make promises they can't keep. If you find a passport service that is offering 24-hour turnaround time when no one else is, be sure to do your due dilligence. Your passport, travel plans, and personal information are all too important.
If you are considering a courier service, you may have additional questions such as "Is expedited passport service worth it?" and "How can I identify a reliable passport expediter?"
After reviewing more than fifty services and over 20 years helping readers with their passport questions and needs, our highest recommendation goes to Rush My Passport.
This courier service more than a decade of experience and a top rating with the Better Business Bureau. If you need to get a passport in 24 hours, this is the company we are certain you can trust.
Read them in order or click the question you most want answered.