Apply for an urgent passport card at a regional passport agency when your international travel is within 14 days. An appointment is required.
Can’t get an appointment or travel to the agency yourself? A registered passport courier can submit the application at the agency on your behalf.
Before choosing either route, make sure a passport card is valid for your itinerary. It can be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and certain Caribbean destinations. A passport book is required for international flights
Choose the Correct Service
| Situation | Required action |
|---|---|
| International land or sea travel within 14 days | Schedule a passport agency appointment or use a registered passport courier. |
| International air travel within 14 days (or 28 days if a visa is required) |
Schedule a passport agency appointment or use a registered passport courier to apply for an urgent passport book. A passport card is not valid for international flights. |
| Domestic flight only | Use a REAL ID-compliant license or another TSA-accepted document. Compare REAL ID, passport card, and passport book options. |
| Travel in 3 to 6 weeks | Request expedited passport service. |
| Travel in 6 weeks or more | Choose routine or expedited service based on your departure date. |
A registered courier can review your documents and handle agency submission and pickup when you cannot complete the agency trip yourself. Government and courier fees are separate.
1. Check the Urgent-Travel Requirements
Urgent passport service is available for international travel within 14 calendar days. Applicants who need a foreign visa can request an appointment when travel is within 28 days.
Bring printed proof of travel. For land or sea trips, accepted examples include cruise or bus tickets, a hotel reservation, or international car insurance. The agency reviews the itinerary before accepting the application.
2. Use the Correct Passport Form
The correct form depends on your passport history:
- Form DS-11: Use it for a first passport, an applicant under age 16, a lost or damaged passport, or when the previous passport cannot be renewed. Review the DS-11 instructions.
- Form DS-82: Use it for an eligible adult renewal or to add a passport card to an eligible passport book. Review the DS-82 instructions.
3. Gather the Required Documents
Bring a complete application packet:
- Appointment confirmation and printed proof of travel.
- The completed passport application form.
- Original evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy.
- An acceptable photo ID and a photocopy.
- One compliant passport photo.
- Name-change documents, when applicable.
- Payment for all required fees.
4. Schedule the Passport Agency Appointment
Applicants who have not submitted an application should use the official online appointment system. Our passport appointment guide explains the process, and the passport agency directory lists agency locations.
If you already submitted the application and your trip is now within 14 days, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
5. Pay the Urgent Passport Card Fees
The $60 expedited-service fee is added to the passport card fee. Form DS-11 applicants also pay the $35 acceptance fee.
| Application | Card fee | Acceptance fee | Expedite fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult using DS-11 | $30 | $35 | $60 | $125 |
| Adult using DS-82 | $30 | $0 | $60 | $90 |
| Child under 16 using DS-11 | $15 | $35 | $60 | $110 |
Check the current passport fee schedule before applying.
6. Attend the Appointment and Confirm Delivery
Bring every original document, photocopy, form, photo, proof of travel, and required payment. The passport employee will review the application and explain when and how the card will be delivered.
Passport cards are mailed by First Class Mail.
The State Department does not offer one-to-three-day return delivery for card-only applications. Apply for a passport book when you need the faster return-delivery option.
Watch: Is a Passport Card Right for Your Urgent Trip?
This video explains when a passport card works, when a passport book is the better choice, and why delivery limits matter when travel is close.
When a Passport Courier Makes Sense
A registered passport courier can review your application, submit it at a regional agency, and pick up the completed passport. This can save you travel time and expenses when the nearest agency is far away or difficult to reach.
Compare the service fee with the total cost of attending an agency yourself, including transportation, lodging, parking, and time away from work.
A courier cannot waive government requirements or guarantee issuance. Applicants using Form DS-11 must still appear at a local passport acceptance facility. The acceptance agent verifies identity, witnesses the signature, and seals the application for delivery to the courier.
Review our passport courier and expediter directory to compare available services.
Official sources: Review State Department guidance on urgent appointments, passport cards and books, passport fees, and courier companies.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Our role: U.S. Passport Service Guide explains the official process and helps travelers compare courier assistance. The State Department decides appointment eligibility, application approval, issuance, and delivery.
