Emergency Passport Service in the U.S. and Abroad

Emergency Passport Service in the United States

You can request an appointment at a regional passport agency when you have urgent international travel within 14 calendar days. If you need a foreign visa, your appointment can be scheduled when the visa is needed within 28 calendar days of travel. An appointment is required.

Bring your completed passport application, supporting documents, passport photo, appointment confirmation, and proof of international travel. The agency determines when the passport will be ready. Same-day issuance is available in qualifying situations, but it is not automatic with every urgent appointment.

If traveling to a regional agency is impractical or too costly, a registered passport courier can provide document review, submission logistics, tracking, pickup, and return delivery for an eligible urgent application.

Note: Service speeds depend on current appointment capacity, government processing, and shipping, so compare the options available for your travel date before ordering.

Emergency Passport Service While Abroad

The first step to apply for an emergency passport outside the United States is to contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate general to schedule an appointment.

In the case of a lost or stolen passport while abroad, the fact should be reported to the local police. Take a copy of the police report to the embassy or consulate.

When applying due to an emergency, you will likely be issued a limited-validity passport. The cost of a limited-validity emergency passport is the same as a full-validity passport.

Travelers who are issued an emergency passport should replace the limited-validity passport with a full-validity passport after the emergency trip. Applicants who qualify to use Form DS-5504 generally do not pay a replacement fee unless they request optional expedited service.

When replacing the limited-validity passport, American citizens who live outside the United States can submit their applications for a full-validity passport to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where they reside.

American citizens who live in the United States can submit their applications to the address on the application form.

You may have to submit additional documents. To discover the exact requirements, check the endorsement on the last page of the emergency passport.

If your passport was issued under 22 CFR 51.41, you also need to submit proof of citizenship. If your passport was issued under 22 CFR 51.28, you need to submit proof of identity.