How Long Does an Expedited Passport Card Take?
State Department expedited processing currently takes 2 to 3 weeks. Processing begins when the application reaches a passport agency or center. Mailing time is separate.
Allow up to two weeks for the application to reach the State Department and up to two more weeks for the completed card to arrive. Passport cards are sent by First Class Mail and are not eligible for paid 1–3 day return delivery.
Choose the form based on your passport history:
- Form DS-11: Apply in person if you are a first-time applicant, are under 16, received your previous passport before age 16, cannot submit the previous passport, or do not qualify to renew.
- Form DS-82: Apply by mail if you qualify for adult renewal or have a passport book that qualifies for DS-82 and want to add your first passport card.
A passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Apply for a passport book if your trip includes an international flight or you may need to fly home from another country.
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Step 1: Choose the Correct Passport Form
Use Form DS-11 and Apply in Person
Use Form DS-11 if:
- You have never had a U.S. passport book or card.
- Your most recent passport was issued before you turned 16.
- Your most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
- Your passport was lost, stolen, or badly damaged.
- You cannot submit your most recent passport.
- You are under age 16.
Do not sign Form DS-11 until an acceptance agent tells you to sign it.
Use Form DS-82 and Apply by Mail
Use Form DS-82 when you meet the adult passport renewal requirements.
An eligible adult who already has a passport book can also use Form DS-82 to apply by mail for a first passport card. Follow the guide to adding a passport card when you already have a passport book.
Online renewal cannot be expedited. Renew by mail with Form DS-82 to request expedited processing.
Step 2: Gather the Documents
Form DS-11 Applicants
- Completed but unsigned Form DS-11
- Original or certified evidence of U.S. citizenship
- Photocopy of the citizenship evidence
- Acceptable photo identification
- Photocopy of the identification
- One compliant passport photo
- Application, acceptance, and expedited-service fees
Form DS-82 Applicants
- Completed and signed Form DS-82
- The passport book or card being submitted with the application
- One compliant passport photo
- An original or certified name-change document, when applicable
- Application and expedited-service fees
Step 3: Request Expedited Service
Add the $60 State Department expedited-service fee to the passport card application fee.
When Applying with Form DS-11
Tell the acceptance agent that you are requesting expedited processing. Pay the State Department application and expedited fees by check or money order. Pay the separate $35 acceptance fee using a payment method accepted by that facility.
The facility can send the application to the State Department by faster USPS service for an additional charge.
When Applying by Mail with Form DS-82
Include a check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State for the application and expedited-service fees. Write EXPEDITE on the outside of the mailing envelope and use the expedited-service address in the current Form DS-82 instructions.
Expedited Passport Card Fees
| Application Route | Card Fee | Acceptance Fee | Expedited Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult using Form DS-11 | $30 | $35 | $60 | $125 |
| Adult using Form DS-82 | $30 | None | $60 | $90 |
| Child under 16 | $15 | $35 | $60 | $110 |
Review the current passport fee chart before applying.
Do not add the optional 1–3 day return-delivery fee to a card-only application. The State Department sends passport cards by First Class Mail.
Step 4: Submit the Application
Form DS-11
Apply in person at a passport acceptance facility. Bring the original documents, photocopies, photo, and fees. Sign the application in front of the acceptance agent.
Check whether the facility requires an appointment before going.
Form DS-82
Mail the signed application, passport document, photo, payment, and any required name-change evidence to the expedited-service address in the current Form DS-82 instructions.
Use a mailing method that allows you to track the envelope.
Using a Passport Courier
A registered courier can review your documents, submit an eligible sealed application, track the application, pick up the completed passport, and arrange return delivery.
DS-11 applicants must still appear before an acceptance agent. The State Department applies the same processing standards whether an eligible sealed application is submitted by the applicant or a courier.
Compare providers in our passport courier directory or get help from one of our most trusted expediter services.
After approval, the State Department sends the passport card by First Class Mail. The card and supporting documents may arrive in separate mailings. Supporting documents can arrive up to four weeks after the passport card.
Step 5: Track the Application
It can take up to two weeks after submission for the first application status to appear.
Check the application through the State Department's online passport status system. The State Department also sends status updates to the email address listed on the application.
If the State Department requests more information, respond within the deadline in the letter or email. Processing remains delayed until the requested information is received.
Prevent Delays Before You Submit
- Use the correct form for the applicant's age and passport history.
- Check that the photo meets current State Department requirements.
- Include the correct application, acceptance, and expedited-service fees.
- Submit original or certified documents when the form requires them.
- Do not sign Form DS-11 before the acceptance appointment.
- Write EXPEDITE on a DS-82 mailing envelope.
Official sources: See the State Department's current passport processing times, fees and payment instructions, mail-renewal instructions, online-renewal limits, and courier guidance.
Compare Your Fast Passport Options
If routine service is too slow, you may need an agency appointment or help from a registered courier. Compare your options before you decide.
