Emergency Passport Renewals as Quickly as the Same Day
You can get an emergency passport renewal as quickly as the same day. If you find yourself pressed for time and in need of getting a passport fast, expediting the process is your only option. Renewing a passport in so little time can be accomplished in two ways. Either you apply at a regional agency or you go through a professional expediting service.
Emergency Passport Renewals at a Regional Agency
Your fist step to obtaining emergency passport renewal at a regional agency is to set up an appointment. Contact the National Passport Information Center which has an automated appointment system at 1-877-487-2778. Often, it can be difficult to get through so plan on making several attempts.
Is there an option if you are unable to make an appointment before you departure date? Just show up at the regional agency nearest to where you are. Many applicants have been successful at applying without an appointment.
What is required to expedite a passport renewal? Requirements include a completed application form DS-82, your most recent passport and two passport photographs that are no more than 6 months old. Applicants whose name has changed since their last passport was issued also need to submit legal evidence of the name change.
If you arrive at the regional passport agency without an appointment, you will not have a confirmation number. It will be necessary to present your Social Security card. You also need to present evidence of your departure date to prove your need for express passport renewal.
The cost of expediting your passport renewal at an agency is $135. The application fee is $75 and expedited service is an additional $60. Payment should be made by personal check, money order or bank draft. Payment should be made to the U.S. Department of State. Your application should be processed and your renewed passport ready either the same day or the day after.
Emergency Passport Renewals through a Passport Expediter
There is another option for those who are unable to travel to a regional agency. This method entails authorizing a passport expediting service to present the request for expedited passport renewal on your behalf. Since expediters are usually located in the same cities as the regional agencies and registered with them, it is a logical solution.
Many expediters have online forms you can use to apply for their service. Next, you must send them the completed application form and the other required documents. It is recommended that you use a two-way overnight delivery method that allows you to trace the package. You are also encouraged to use a secure package.
While professional expediters can get your passport renewed as quickly as the same day, you will need to factor in mail delivery time if you opt for this method. Of course, traveling to a regional agency could cost you a lot of time, especially if you live far away.
The fees for this service vary depending on the expediter you choose and how fast you need to get your passport renewed. You should expect the cost to be somewhere between $65 for passport renewals expedited in two weeks to as much as $300 for applications expedited the same day. This does not include the fees paid to the State Department.
Professional expediters can be costly and you can save some money if you apply yourself. When you are unable to get to a regional agency and you are running the risk of having to cancel your trip, contracting a professional expediter to submit your application for emergency passport renewal could be a very wise decision.
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