Individuals who need passport replacement due to loss, theft, or
expiration may find themselves waiting for up to eight weeks to receive a
new passport. The government's standard processing time for passports
ranges from six to eight weeks. This may present problems for people
with immediate travel plans.
An Internet search will yield an
alternative solution for travelers who need a passport quickly. There
are companies that specialize in expedited passport processing. They
will deliver a new passport within as little as 24 hours if desired, but
they do charge an extra fee for this service. The fee may be as high as
$300 for overnight processing, but there are also longer processing
times that carry a lower fee.
These independent companies have
established relationships with the government agency that issues
passports. They are able to push the passport application through
quicker than the passport applicant is able to do on his or her own. The
best an applicant could do in non-emergency situations is selected
expedited processing through the government and this service still runs
about three to four weeks.
The passport applicant bears some
responsibility when working with an independent processing service. The
applicant must complete the standard government application for a
passport as well as some additional forms required by the processing
company. The government application may be found on either the
government's Web site or the processing company's site. The processing
company provides a full set of instructions regarding form completion,
just as the government does.
The new passport will require new
photographs that fit the passport photo requirements. Two identical
photographs measuring 2x2 inches and taken in full color from a frontal
view will be adequate. However, there are additional requirements
regarding permitted attire and eyewear, so be sure to refer to the
guidelines for details. The recommended method is to have a professional
photographer take these photos.
The application, photos, and
additional required identification will need to be provided to the
processing company. This information should be mailed in one package and
sent via a service that permits tracking of parcels. The tracking
service provides real-time verification that the package arrived safely.
The couriers that offer package tracking also often provide expedited
shipping, making it possible to select overnight delivery..
When
renewing a passport, the existing passport must be returned with the
renewal paperwork. This passport will be canceled by the government and
returned to the passport holder. The canceled passport will not be valid
for use but it may be retained with the passport holder's records.
If a lost or stolen passport is found after the new one is issued, it must be submitted for cancellation. Lost or stolen passports
are reported as such when the loss occurs so they will not be valid for
use even if they end up in someone else's hands. The entire passport replacement
process is relatively easy and will take much less time when the
expedited services provided by an independent processing company are
used.
