Passport Expediting: How to Get a Passport Fast

Which passport service should you use?

Current State Department processing times are 4–6 weeks for routine service and 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service. Mailing can add additional time before and after processing.

Important: Passport acceptance facilities, such as post offices, libraries, and clerks of court, accept passport applications but do not issue same-day passports. For very short deadlines, see our same-day and 24-hour passport guide.

When a private passport courier can help

Some passport courier companies are registered with the State Department to submit eligible applications and pick up completed passports at passport agencies for their customers. For an urgent traveler who cannot reasonably get to an agency, that can remove much of the travel and coordination from the process.

Depending on the company, service, and application type, a courier may check your application and supporting documents, help catch missing paperwork, coordinate eligible submission and pickup, track the application, and arrange return delivery.

Courier companies are private businesses and charge their own service fees. The State Department still reviews and issues the passport, so a courier cannot guarantee approval or a specific issuance date.

If you can easily attend a regional passport agency appointment yourself, going directly through the State Department will usually cost less. Courier assistance is more relevant when the agency trip or the application logistics are the harder part.

When courier assistance may make sense

A courier may be a practical fit if:

• you qualify for urgent service but cannot get an agency appointment you can reasonably attend before your trip;
• the nearest workable agency appointment would require a long drive, flight, hotel stay, or significant time away from work;
• work, childcare, health, or transportation makes an agency trip difficult;
• you want your application and supporting documents checked before submission; or
• you want help coordinating eligible submission, pickup, tracking, and return delivery.

Important: If you are applying using Form DS-11, such as for many first-time, child, lost, stolen, or damaged passport applications, you are required to apply in person. A passport courier cannot perform this step for you.

Need help with an urgent application?

RushMyPassport offers paid passport expediting assistance for eligible travelers, including application review and courier logistics. You can check its current service options to see whether your application type and travel date fit an available service.

The State Department makes the final passport approval and issuance decision.

Affiliate disclosure: U.S. Passport Service Guide may earn a commission if you purchase through this link, at no additional cost to you.

Government passport expediting options

Routine passport service: 4–6 weeks

Routine processing is the least expensive option when you have enough time before international travel.

The State Department currently lists routine processing at 4–6 weeks. Remember that the State Department's processing estimate does not include the full mailing period. Applications may take additional time to reach a passport processing center, and your completed passport must then be mailed back to you.

Eligible adults may also renew a passport online for routine service if they meet the State Department's requirements. Online renewals cannot be expedited, and applicants must not be traveling for at least 6 weeks when they submit the application.

If your departure is close to the end of the routine processing window, consider paying for expedited service.

Expedited passport service: 2 to 3 weeks

Government expedited service currently reduces passport processing to 2 to 3 weeks for an additional $60 expedite fee.

For an eligible adult passport renewal, you can request expedited service when renewing by mail.

Applicants who must use Form DS-11—including most first-time applicants and children—have the option to apply in person at a passport acceptance facility, such as a local post office or library, and request expedited processing.

Important: Online passport renewal is for routine service and cannot currently be expedited.

Urgent passport service: travel within 14 days

If you are traveling internationally within 14 calendar days, you may qualify for an urgent appointment at a U.S. Department of State regional passport agency or center.

These appointments are different from appointments at passport acceptance facilities. Regional passport agencies actually process passport applications for U.S. citizens with qualifying urgent travel needs.

Appointments are required, and availability is not guaranteed.

You will generally need:

• your appointment confirmation;
• printed proof of international travel;
• the correct passport application form;
• all required citizenship and identification documents;
• a compliant passport photo; and
• the required government fees.

For the complete process, see our urgent passport guide or our passport appointment guide.

If you specifically need to renew an existing passport, see Urgent Passport Renewal in 2 Weeks or Less.

Can you get a passport the same day?

Sometimes, but same-day issuance is not guaranteed.

A regional passport agency may issue a passport very quickly when the traveler has an extremely close departure date, an appointment, and a completed application.

Passport issuance and pickup schedule is determined by the State Department.

For travelers facing a deadline of only 1–2 days before departure, use our 24-Hour Passport Guide.

What if you already applied for your passport?

If your passport application is already in process and your travel plans have become more urgent, do not submit another application.

First, check your current application status and locate your passport application locator number.

If you are traveling internationally within 14 days and still do not have your passport, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. What happens next depends on your application status and travel date. The State Department may try to speed up the existing application or arrange an urgent appointment.

If your trip is more than 14 days away, you may be able to upgrade the existing application to expedited service or add faster return delivery.

See How to Expedite a Passport Application You Already Submitted for the complete process.

What counts as proof of international travel?

Urgent passport agency service requires proof that you actually need the passport for upcoming international travel.

For air travel, this may include a printed flight receipt or itinerary that shows your departure date.

For qualifying travel by land or sea, documentation can include items such as:

• a hotel reservation;
• cruise tickets;
• bus tickets; or
• international automobile insurance.

If your travel plans are not yet booked, do not assume you can use the urgent agency process without documentation. Check the current State Department requirements before scheduling.

What if you cannot get or attend a regional passport agency appointment?

Urgent passport appointments are limited. You may not find an opening at the location or time that works for you.

If you qualify but cannot get an appointment:

1. Continue checking for openings, because appointment availability can change.
2. Consider other regional passport agencies if traveling to another city is realistic.
3. If you already applied, contact the National Passport Information Center—do not start a second application.
4. Review our guide for urgent renewals when no appointments are available.
5. If managing the agency trip yourself is not realistic, consider a registered private courier service.

Warning: Never pay someone simply to sell you a government passport appointment. The State Department does not charge a fee to schedule an appointment.

Life-or-death emergency passport service

The State Department has a separate process for people who need to travel abroad within 14 days because an immediate family member outside the United States has died, is dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury.

You will need documentation of the emergency as well as proof of travel.

If this applies to you, use the State Department's life-or-death emergency process.

How much does passport expediting cost?

The cost depends on your application type and the service you choose.

Current common government costs include:

A private passport courier charges its own service fee in addition to required government passport fees.

Also compare the cost of getting to a passport agency yourself. A long drive, flight, hotel stay, parking, meals, or missed work can make the agency trip expensive. In that situation, compare those costs with the courier fee.

Passport expediting FAQ

What is the fastest way to get a U.S. passport?

For most travelers who are already within 14 days of international travel, the fastest direct government route is an appointment at a regional passport agency or center.

Same-day or next-day issuance can occur in some circumstances, but it is not guaranteed.

Is government expedited service the same as urgent passport service?

No.

Expedited service is the faster version of standard passport processing and currently takes about 2 to 3 weeks, not including mailing.

Urgent travel service is handled through passport agencies and centers for qualifying travelers who are generally within 14 calendar days of international travel.

Why would I use a passport courier?

A courier can reduce the travel and coordination involved in an urgent application. Depending on the service and application type, help may include checking documents before submission, delivering an eligible application to a passport agency, picking up the issued passport, tracking the application, and arranging return shipping.

The State Department still processes and issues the passport. If you can attend a passport agency appointment yourself, going direct is usually less expensive.

Can I get a passport in 24 hours?

It may be possible in limited urgent situations, but no government service category guarantees every applicant a passport within 24 hours.

See our 24-hour and same-day passport guide for the factors that determine whether such a turnaround is realistic.

Do I need proof of travel for urgent passport service?

Yes. Regional passport agencies require proof of qualifying international travel.

What if I already applied?

Work with the application you already submitted. Check its status and follow the State Department's already-applied urgent process. Do not automatically file a second application.

Can I expedite an online passport renewal?

No. Online passport renewal is currently available for routine service, not expedited or urgent service.

What to do based on your travel date

• Have 6 weeks or more? Apply now. Routine service may be enough.
• About 3–6 weeks out? Request government expedited service.
• About 15–20 days out? Review private courier assistance rather than relying on expedited processing plus mailing to meet a close deadline.
• Within 14 days? Try to get a regional passport agency appointment. If you qualify but cannot reasonably attend one, review private courier assistance.
• Already applied? Stay with the application you submitted and follow the already-applied urgent process.
• Qualify for urgent service but cannot reasonably manage the agency trip? Compare private courier assistance.

If a courier fits your situation, check RushMyPassport's current service options and eligibility.