Most people submit their passport applications at a post office,
where the turnaround time can be at least six weeks, and is sometimes
longer if the passport office is busy. But what do you do if you can't
wait that long?
If you need to a passport for a last-minute trip, don't panic. There
are a number of different ways to rush a passport, and a number of
different places to do it. Here's where to go to get a rush passport:
The Post Office
You can order rush passport service at a post office or another
passport acceptance facility. To do so, simply tell the clerk that you
would like expedited service and pay the additional $60 fee to expedite
your application. This will cut the processing time from six weeks or
more for regular service down to two or three weeks.
If you are applying for a passport renewal and you don't need to
apply in person, just include the extra $60 fee in with your
application, and write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope before
you mail it. For faster service, take the application down to the post
office and send it overnight to the passport office. You should also
request overnight service back from the passport office, which is an
additional fee of $12.72.
A Regional Passport Agency
If two to three weeks is still too long, you can make an appointment
at one of the twenty-four regional passport agencies located in select
cities across the US. These passport agencies allow you to turn your
application in directly to the Department of State, for processing in as
little as 24 hours.
To make an appointment at a regional passport agency, call the
National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. One problem with
using a passport agency is that they generally have limited office
hours and if you work during the day, you will likely have to request
time off. Also, since there are only twenty-four of them, you may have
to travel quite a distance from your house.
Private Expediting Company
If visiting a passport agency seems like too much trouble but you
can't wait two to three weeks, you can also use a private passport
expediting company to submit a rush passport application.
This allows you to apply in person, if required, at a post office or
other passport facility. Instead of having the acceptance facility send
in your application, you'll get the documents "sealed" and send them
using an express mail service to the expediting company. Then, the
expediting company will personally deliver your passport to the
Department of State for processing in as little as one day!
