If you need an urgent passport card in two weeks or less and standard or regular expedited processing isn't fast enough, your best option is to apply directly at a Regional Passport Agency.
You can either make an appointment and attend yourself or hire a registered passport expediting service to manage the process on your behalf.
This guide is exclusively for American citizens who:
- Need a passport card for urgent land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean;
- Have international travel plans within 14 days (or 28 days if a visa is required); and
- Are applying for a first-time passport card, renewing an expired card, or replacing a lost/damaged card.
This urgent passport guide explains how to get a passport card through a Regional Passport Agency, or by working with a registered passport expediting service-to avoid delays and ensure fast, secure processing.
Table of Contents
How to Get an Urgent Passport Card in 5 Steps
Follow these five steps to get an urgent passport card:
Step #1: Determine Eligibility
To qualify for urgent processing, the applicant must be either:- a U.S. citizen or
- a qualifying non-citizen national.
- Complete Form DS-11,
- Provide proof of citizenship and identity
- Submit a valid passport photo,
- Pay all required fees,
- Provide acceptable proof of immediate travel within 14 days (or 28 days if a foreign visa is also required)*, and
- Appear in person at a Regional Passport Agency to sign and swear an oath before a passport agent or use a registered passport expediter.
*Acceptable proof of urgent travel includes confirmed flight/cruise itineraries, hotel reservations, or boarding passes/travel tickets.
Step #2: Gather Required Documents and Fees
Documents for an Urgent Passport Card
When applying for a passport card urgently, you must prepare the following:
- Form DS-11:
- Download Form DS-11 here and complete in black ink.
- Print clearly, single-sided pages only.
- Important: Do not sign until your appointment!
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship: (e.g., certified U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport book, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Naturalization Certificate.)
- Proof of Identity:(e.g., valid driver's license, state ID, previous U.S. passport, or military ID.) More about acceptable proof of identity for passport applications.
- Photocopies of all identification and citizenship documents.
- Passport Photo:
- Provide one recent color passport photo meeting U.S. Department of State standards.
- Check our Passport Photos Guide for full details.
- Proof of Immediate Travel: (e.g., cruise ticket, border crossing itinerary, or hotel booking)
Fees for an Urgent Passport Card
Expect to pay:- Passport card fee
- Expedited service fee
- Execution (acceptance) fee
- Check or money order
- Exact cash
- Major credit/debit card
- Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Hidden Costs to Consider for an Urgent Passport Card
Applying at a Regional Passport Agency doesn't cost more than standard expedited service, but there are often overlooked expenses:
- Travel expenses (transportation, hotel, meals)
- Lost wages from work absences
- Additional logistics or childcare costs
Use our guide to Understanding the Hidden Costs of Urgent Passport Applications to plan your budget and avoid last-minute surprises.
Tip: If you live far from a passport agency or your schedule is tight, hiring a professional passport expediting service may be the most cost-effective and time-saving option.
Step #3: Schedule Your Appointment
Appointments at Regional Passport Agencies are required. You must book an appointment through the State Department's Online Passport Appointment System. Check out our guide for scheduling a passport appointment. Slots are limited, so book your appointment as early as possible to secure timely processing.
Tip: Appointments fill fast. Book your appointment as soon as your paperwork is in order. If you can't secure an appointment, a registered passport expediter can assist you in submitting your application quickly.
Choose the location of the agency or processing center below that is nearest to you:
View Regional Passport Agency Locations in a larger map
Step #4: Attend Your Scheduled Appointment
At your Regional Passport Agency appointment:- You must appear in person.
- Bring all required documents, photos, and your unsigned DS-11 form.
- You will sign Form DS-11 in front of the passport agent.
- You will submit all required documents and proof of travel at your appointment.
If everything checks out, your passport card may be issued the same day or within 24-72 hours. Actual urnaround time will depend on current agency processing times.
Using an Expediting Service Instead?
If you're unable to travel to a passport agency, registered passport expediting service can submit your passport application and supporting documents to a Regional Passport Agency on your behalf.
Here's how the process works:- Visit a passport acceptance facility (e.g., a post office) to have all documents verified.
- The passport acceptance facility will seal your documents in an official envelope and send the sealed envelope to your chosen passport expediter via overnight mail.
- The expediter will submit the passport application to the Regional Passport Agency.
- Your new passport card is then shipped back to you.
Using a trusted expediter can save valuable time, especially when tight schedules, work, or travel logistics are involved.
Step #5: Track Your Passport Card Application
Once submitted, you can check your passport card application status at the U.S. State Department's Passport Status Portal.
Need help? Check out our full guide to Tracking Your Passport Status Updates for a full walk-through, or contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
Quick Reminders for Urgent Passport Cards
- Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel only to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
- Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel.
- The passport card meets REAL ID standards and can be used for domestic flights.
- You can apply for a passport book and card at the same time using one application.
Need Your Passport Fast? Make the Right Choices for Your Situation.
When every day counts, it's critical to get the paperwork and process right from the start.
At U.S. Passport Service Guide, we've helped travelers meet urgent deadlines for over 20 years.
Want a faster, easier path? Get started with a trusted, registered passport expediting service here.
Still deciding? Learn more about the hidden costs of urgent passport renewals here.
Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers
2. What exactly does a passport expediter do?
3. Are passport expediting services legitimate?
4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor?
5. Is expedited passport service worth it? Get answers to these questions and more in our Ultimate U.S. Traveler's Guide to Passport Expediters.
You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting.
