If you need a passport fast and cannot renew, you are probably dealing with an in-person DS-11 application. This process applies to first-time passports, children’s passports, lost passports, stolen passports, significantly damaged passports, and older passports that no longer qualify for renewal.
Emergency Passport Service, in Plain Terms
The State Department has two fast appointment categories: life-or-death emergency service and urgent travel service. Both require proof of international travel and an appointment at a passport agency or center.
- Life-or-death emergency service is for travelers who need to travel to a foreign country in the next two weeks because an immediate family member outside the U.S. has died, is dying in hospice care, or has a life-threatening illness or injury.
- Urgent travel service is for travelers going to a foreign country in less than 2–3 weeks. If you have not applied yet, make an appointment when you are within 14 calendar days of travel, or within 28 days if you need a foreign visa.
- This page is for DS-11 cases: first-time passports, children’s passports, lost passports, stolen passports, damaged passports, and applicants who cannot use the renewal form.
If you cannot get to a passport agency yourself, a registered passport expediter may be able to submit your sealed DS-11 packet to an agency after you appear at a local acceptance facility. An expediter cannot sign DS-11 for you or guarantee approval.
Our role: U.S. Passport Service Guide is an independent passport information resource. We explain the official process first, then compare practical options when handling the agency process yourself is not realistic.
Important: Private expediting services cannot approve your application, waive DS-11 requirements, bypass State Department rules, or guarantee passport issuance. They may help with paperwork review, agency submission logistics, tracking, and return delivery when your documents and timeline fit the service.
What to Do Now
- Confirm which fast service category applies. Use life-or-death emergency service only for a qualifying immediate-family emergency abroad. Use urgent travel service if your trip is soon but not life-or-death. If you are a first-time adult applicant with urgent travel, see our urgent new passport guide.
- Confirm that DS-11 applies. Use this page if you need a new or replacement passport and cannot renew with DS-82.
- Choose how the application will reach the agency. Go directly to a regional passport agency if you can get an appointment and travel there. If you cannot, get DS-11 accepted and sealed locally before using a registered expediter.
- Gather every document before you go. A missing photo, ID, consent form, DS-64, or proof of travel can delay the application.
Who Needs DS-11 for an Emergency Passport?
Use Form DS-11 if you need a passport fast and the normal renewal process is not available. This usually includes:
- First-time passport applicants who have never had a U.S. passport. See the first-time passport guide.
- Children under 16, because children cannot renew passports. Review minor child passport requirements.
- Applicants age 16 or 17 who need a first adult passport or are replacing a passport issued before age 16. See passport rules for 16- and 17-year-olds.
- Lost passports, because you cannot renew a passport you cannot submit. You may also need Form DS-64. See the lost passport replacement steps.
- Stolen passports, which must be reported and replaced in person. Start with the stolen passport replacement guide.
- Damaged passports that are too damaged for renewal. See how to replace a damaged passport.
- Older passports or name issues that block renewal, including passports issued more than 15 years ago, passports issued before age 16, or a name change without acceptable proof for DS-82. See the expired passport guide or passport name change documentation.
If you are not sure whether DS-11 is the correct form, use our Passport Path Finder before booking an appointment or paying for help.
Passport Agency or Expediter: Which Route Makes Sense?
If you can get an appointment and reach a regional passport agency, that is the most direct official route. The agency can accept your DS-11 application, review your proof of travel, and process the urgent or emergency request in one place. Start with our passport appointment steps and regional agency requirements.
If you cannot get to a passport agency yourself, a registered expediting service may be worth comparing. This can be especially helpful if the nearest agency is far away, appointment options are limited, or the cost of travel, missed work, lodging, meals, parking, or childcare is adding up.
Before traveling to a distant agency, compare the hidden costs of urgent passport applications with the cost of using a registered expediting service.
DS-11 applicants still have to appear in person first. An expediter cannot sign DS-11 for you. You must first appear at an authorized passport acceptance facility so an acceptance official can witness your signature and seal your application packet. Do not open the sealed packet.
After that, a registered expediting service may be able to submit the sealed packet to a passport agency on your behalf, depending on your documents, deadline, and the service level available. Compare registered expediting services or see the expediting service we recommend.
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Documents to Gather Before You Go
Bring the core DS-11 documents plus any extra forms required for your situation. Fill out required forms before your appointment, but do not sign Form DS-11 until the acceptance official tells you to sign it.
Emergency DS-11 document checklist
- Form DS-11: completed but unsigned.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship: such as a certified birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or previous passport if available.
- Government-issued photo ID: bring the original ID and required photocopies.
- Passport photo: bring a compliant photo that meets current requirements.
- Proof of international travel: bring a printed itinerary, ticket, or other accepted proof.
- Emergency documentation: bring life-or-death emergency proof if you are using emergency service.
- Form DS-64: required if your previous passport was lost or stolen.
- Form DS-3053: may be needed if one parent or guardian cannot appear for a child passport application.
- Child passport documents: bring proof of parental relationship and consent documents if the applicant is a child.
- Payment: bring government fees and a payment method accepted at your application location.
How to Make the Appointment
If you are applying directly at a passport agency or center, make an appointment through the State Department. Agencies and centers do not accept walk-ins.
- If you have not applied yet, try the State Department online passport appointment system.
- If you already applied or cannot get an appointment online, call 1-877-487-2778.
- For qualifying life-or-death emergencies after hours, weekends, or federal holidays, call 202-647-4000.
Emergency DS-11 Passport Costs
These are the government fees for common DS-11 emergency passport scenarios. Private expediting fees, travel costs, parking, hotels, and missed work are separate.
| Scenario | Fees included | Government total |
|---|---|---|
| Adult passport book | $130 application fee + $35 execution fee + $60 expedite fee | $225 |
| Adult passport book with 1–3 day return delivery | $130 application fee + $35 execution fee + $60 expedite fee + $22.05 delivery | $247.05 |
| Child passport book | $100 application fee + $35 execution fee + $60 expedite fee | $195 |
| Child passport book with 1–3 day return delivery | $100 application fee + $35 execution fee + $60 expedite fee + $22.05 delivery | $217.05 |
| Private expediting service | Private service fees are separate from government fees. | Compare registered expediting services |
Always check the current passport fees before paying. Passport cards are cheaper, but they do not work for international air travel.
Video Guide: Getting a Passport in an Emergency
Emergency Passport FAQ
No. The current State Department life-or-death emergency page says you may qualify if you need to travel to a foreign country in the next two weeks because an immediate family member outside the U.S. has died, is dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury.
No. DS-11 must be signed in front of an authorized acceptance official. An expediter may help after the application packet is accepted and sealed.
No. Passport agencies and centers require appointments. Appointment availability is not guaranteed.
Use the emergency passport renewal guide for a qualifying life-or-death renewal case or the urgent passport renewal guide for non-emergency urgent travel.
More Emergency Passport Help
- Same-Day Passport Guide
- Passport Expediting Services Directory
- Form DS-11 Guide
- Emergency Passport Renewal
- Urgent Passport Guide
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.
Last reviewed: June 11, 2026.
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