Important Due to Covid-19, processing times for passports are taking longer than normal for both standard and expedited services.

The Best Ways to Expedite a Passport for a Minor

Expediting a passport for a minor can take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks depending upon the method you choose.

If you need to rush a passport for a child age 15 or younger, you can request expedited service when submitting the application. Forms submitted at application acceptance facilities can take up to 3 weeks to process before the passport is delivered. This is faster than the 6-8 week wait offered with standard application processing, but it may not be fast enough if your child needs a passport quickly.

Thankfully, there are a couple of ways to get faster service:

Submit an application in person with your child at a regional agency - An appointment is required and you may need to show proof of imminent travel. Processing time can range from 24 hours to 5 business days depending upon the circumstances.
Hire a registered passport expediting service - Employing the services of a registered expeditor such as Rush My Passport can result in a passport as quickly as 24-48 hours.

UPDATE: Mailing delays and high demand are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility. Standard service may take between 8 and 11 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 5 to 7 weeks excluding mailing times on the front and back end. Current mailing delays are significant. Requesting 1-2-day mailing service is recommended.

Regional passport agencies are offering two types of appointments: Life-of-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 3 business days.

If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment:

Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. ET, call 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793) Outside of these hours, call 202-647-4000.

For Urgent Travel Service, you need to call 14 days before your scheduled international travel or 28 days if you also need to secure a foreign visa.

If you need to travel urgently for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency, please call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. ET.

Rush My Passport has been obtaining expedited passport in 4.5 weeks. Apply online for expedited passport service.

Make the right choice for rushing your child's passport application

Deciding which expediting option is the best for your child’s passport involves many of the same considerations as expediting an adult passport does.

Click here to read our guide to weighing your passport expediting choices.

That said, securing a passport for a minor poses several unique challenges that must be accounted for.

Your child must be present – Whether your child is a newborn, 15 years old, or somewhere in between, a passport will not be issued to you unless the child is present.
Regional Passport Agencies may be out of reach – Many Americans wind up being surprised when they learn how far they actually are from their nearest Regional Passport Agency. With only 26 locations scattered across the United States, traveling to the nearest agency can become a time consuming and expensive ordeal. Naturally, this is made even more challenging when a young child is involved.
There is additional paperwork involved – Whether you choose to rush your child’s passport application or not, there are several extra forms and documents required when applying for a passport for a minor.

Hiring a registered passport expediting service can simplify each of the issues outlined above.

To begin with, these professionals review your application materials to ensure the submission is complete and correct. From there, they bring your paperwork to a Regional Passport Agency on your behalf - eliminating your need for costly travel or wasted time. Finally, the passport is issued and your child's passport and identifying documents are returned to you either in person or via overnight delivery. In most cases, the whole process is completed as fast or faster than if you applied yourself.

Ultimately, completing the expedited passport application process for your child on your own means you miss out on the expertise, convenience, and speed that comes with hiring a registered passport courier.

Frequently Ashed Questions about Expediting a Child's Passport

Have more questions about getting a passport for a minor under the age of 16? Click here for our full list of frequently asked questions about obtaining a passport for a child.

Listed below are some of the most common questions we receive specifically about expediting passports for minors.

How do I expedite my children's passports?

Question: I am so short of time to renew or get a new passports for my children. I know it can be done but it seems every passport services agency that ...

What is the quickest way to get passports for infants? Question: I need passports for my newborn infants as I am traveling internationally in April - what is the quickest way to obtain them. I live in Kansas ...

How do I get same day passports for children if I live in South Carolina?

Question: I live in South Carolina. I am in the army stationed in Korea and I came home to get my wife and kids. I wanted to know if there was anyway ...

How do I expedite my daughter's passport application?

Question: I applied for my daughter's passport on February 12, 2011. I received a letter on March 19th from the NH Passport Center telling me the birth ...

How Do I Expedite A Passport for an Infant?

Question: My husband and I are moving (driving) to Alaska mid April with our newborn who will be 1 month old. I had recently called and talked to someone ...

Click for expedited courier service for minor's passport in 24 to 48 hours!.