Considerations involved in having a priority new passport issued are
varied and diverse. For one, getting such a passport might take a bit of
effort and additional legwork along with money, but it can be done.
Many people, who might not have the time or energy to do this by
themselves, choose to make use of express passport expediters. Others,
though, go through normal government channels.
This isn't to say it will be extremely easy to get quickly-issued passports. In general, even expedited passports that are applied for through one of the government's regional service in centers (there are 14 spread around the country) can take from 2 to 3 weeks. There are also additional fees attached when it comes to an expedited passport issued through one of those centers, so keep that in mind.
For those who absolutely, positively need one in a rush, it might be a good idea to work through an express expediter. However, when that isn't possible, there are other means for obtaining such a passport on a priority basis by working through the government. This is going to mean, however, travel to one of those regional service centers in order to make it happen, which is something worth keeping in mind.
For those who won't be using expediting services offered by a business, the first place to go is the State Department website, travel or passport applications section. In actuality, it really isn't that involved to get a passport issued quickly, but keep in mind the several steps that are going to be supplied here in order to make it all come together in as painless a manner as possible.
The first thing to remember is that nothing that has to do with passports and the US government can be done without an appointment. There's a toll-free number that can be found at the State Department passport section website. Making an appointment for passports to be issued on a priority basis will usually mean making an appointment at one of those regional centers, by the way.
When it comes to those regional centers, understand that there are many of them located around the country. Usually, the largest cities on each coast (including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle as well as Boston, New York City and Miami) host these centers. There are three in the Midwest, including a large one in Chicago, Illinois. Make an early-morning appointment. Processing could take more than five hours.
Of course, to obtain a passport that quickly, there will be additional fees required before the document can be issued. Same day passports currently cost between $200 and $300 in fees paid to the government. If any background research on citizenship or identity is needed, there's an additional $60 fee on top of the expediting fee and standard passport fees of from $25 to $95.
