Imagine having booked a trip two years ago to sunny Cancun
because there was no need for a passport. Now, the trip is coming up and
all of a sudden a friend asks if you have a passport. Not everyone is
aware of the fact that they have to have a passport now and sometime
getting an expedited new passport is required. It will cost a little bit
more, but as long as the applicant knows what to do, the process can be
fairly painless.
Everyone should know right off the bat that
getting a new passport will take some time. There is some running around
that has to be done and there is also the process of making sure that
all of the right documents are secured. As soon as the need for a
passport is realized, it is best to get things rolling right away.
A
new passport means that everything has to be done in person. Unlike a
renewal that can be mailed in, a first time applicant must physically go
down to a passport office to fill out the forms and turn everything in.
Many local post offices will process applications, but if there is not
one close by, a trip to the regional passport office may be required.
In
order to get the process rolling, a passport photo will have to be
taken. Some processing units can take care of this, but they tend to be a
bit more expensive that the local photo shops. An Internet search can
be done to see what local places can accommodate this need. Give them a
call and see what their rates are compared to what the post office will
charge and go with the best price.
Since a new application must be
done in person, anything that the applicant is unsure of can be run by
the clerk or agent that is working at the office. The passport
application form that has to be filled out is the DS-82. Be sure to
mention to the clerk that this is for an expedited passport and make
sure everything is marked clearly so that there is no confusion.
Because
the expedited service is being used, there will be an extra processing
fee of $60 for the passport. The extra fee means that the passport will
be pushed to the front of the line and should hopefully be back in about
three weeks. If it needed faster, cash is king and more money means
that they push it through as quickly as a single day.
It is never
good to wait until the last moment, but sometimes it is what it is. When
things like this happen or the need suddenly arises and a passport is
needed, it is good to know that that services are available to make the
process go quicker. Today, international travel will generally require a
passport number and this should no longer be an issue.
Filing the passport application form
for the first time can be a stressful situation, especially if time is
of the essence. Instead of panicking, know that there are expedited new passport
services that can be used to make sure that the passport is in hand
when it is needed. Regardless of how soon the passport is required,
there is a service (although it will cost a higher amount) that can be
paid for to get the passport in your hands by the desired date.
