Things To Know About How to Get a New Passport Quickly
December 13, 2009 by Benjamin McLee
Filed under Travel
Sometimes you suddenly need to travel to a destination requiring a US passport only to find out that either you don’t have one or that it has already expired. Routine passport processing usually takes around four to six weeks. While that’s fine for most travelers, this may not be an option for you, considering your situation. If you need to know how to get a pasport quickly, find out in this article.
One instance where you will need to get a passport application is when a family emergency occurs that requires you to travel to another country within 48 hours. If you don’t have a passport to travel, or if it has already expired, you can call the National Passport Information Agency (NPIA). They will help you to schedule an appointment with the nearest passport agency to facilitate your application for an emergency passport.
When you call the Passport Information Agency and no appointment is available for you, stay on the line so you can speak to a customer service agent. They can assist you on what to do next. There are other options available to you should a customer service agent be unavailable.
In instances where there isn’t a family emergency, but you still need to travel outside the country in less than four weeks, you can choose to have your application expedited. Getting an expedited passport is the fastest and most efficient way of getting a passport outside of emergency situations. In fact, the US Department of State advises travelers needing to travel in less than ten weeks to get an expedited passport instead of the routine application.
Getting an expedited passport is also important if you need to travel to a foreign destination within two weeks or need your passport to obtain a foreign visa in less than four weeks. Current processing times for expedited passport services are is around two to three weeks. It is therefore advisable that you apply for a US passport if you are already expecting to travel in the coming months.
Now let’s talk about how you can get your passport application expedited. You can send your passport application through the mail; however, there are a few things you need to remember before doing this. First, make sure that you use an envelope that won’t get damaged easily. Also, make sure you write, “EXPEDITED” outside of the envelope. Then finally, ensure that you are able to track the mail to check that it’s received by the addressee.
Keep in mind that getting an expedited passport service requires an additional fee on top of the regular processing fees. It can be hefty for some, but if you’re after speed and convenience, it’s well worth the money. Consult with your nearest passport agency regarding the fees you need to pay.
If you want to get pass ports quick, you now know the options that are available to you. These options are getting an emergency passport or having your passport application expedited. Whatever option you choose, you can be sure that you’ll get your passport faster than the routine passport application.
