Emergency Passport Application: How To Obtain Your Passport Fast

Sometimes you are forced to leave the country unexpectedly, and realize that you still need to apply for a passport or renew your expired one. In this case, going through the routine passport application wouldn’t be an option. Currently, you’ll need to wait four to six weeks to have your passport processed for routine applications.

In family emergencies, you wouldn’t be able to wait that long for your passport to arrive. This applies to family emergencies where you’ll need to travel out of the country as soon as possible. Good thing there’s an option for you to get a passport faster than is regularly allowed. For family emergencies, you’ll need an emergency passport.

An emergency passport is what you need in case of a family emergency that requires you to leave the country within the next two days. Emergency situations cannot wait, so emergency passports cut the waiting time you’ll spend waiting for the processing of your application. Having an emergency passport ensures that you are able to travel outside the country sooner, not later.

But just how do you apply for an emergency passport? It starts with a phone call that you’ll need to make to the National Passport Information Agency (NPIA). Tell them about your situation, and they will help you set an appointment with the passport office nearest you. The passport office will then be the one to take care of your emergency passport application.

In case the NPIA is unable to schedule an appointment for you, simply hang on the line. You will then be forwarded to a customer service representative (CSR). In turn, the CSR will handle your call and provide you with options on how you can get your emergency passport.

There are instances where you need to leave, yet aren’t faced with a very urgent situation that would require an emergency passport. If this situation applies to you, then you can just get your passport application expedited. Expedited passports are sought out by travelers who don’t need to travel within 48 hours, yet have to leave within the next four weeks.

Expedited passports are designed for those who need to leave the country within the next 10 weeks. Current processing times for expedited passports are at two to three weeks. So if you need to get a passport during this time frame, then getting an expedited passport is the best choice you have. Take note that expedited passports require an additional fee to process. This is by no means a hefty fee. In fact, it’s a price that’s well worth every penny if you are looking for speed and convenience when applying for your passport.

At times when you are faced with a family emergency, you’ll always have the option to apply for an emergency American passport. Emergency new passport cut the waiting time for passport applications so that you can be with your loved ones outside the country as soon as possible. Now if you can wait for two to three weeks to have your application processed, you can always have it expedited.

Emergency US Passport

If you need to travel outside of the United States, you must have a passport. Since June 1, 2009, persons leaving the U. S. or its territories have been required to present a passport for re-entry into the U. S. (passport cards are acceptable for travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean area). If you have family living outside of the United States, there can be times when you will need to make a visit in case of emergency. In this case, you will need to have an emergency United States passport for the visit.

People with family living abroad should have plans for emergencies. The best preparation is to take the time and pay the fee for a normal passport. Keep the passport in a safe location at all times in order to be ready to travel at any time.

In order to obtain that passport, you will need to follow the rules that the State Department has established. These rules, as well as the applicable forms, can be found on the website for the U. S. Department of State. The application will need to be returned to a passport processing center. There is at least one in most cities of any size. Currently, the return time is four to six weeks.

Individuals who need to travel in less than fourteen days or need their passport for issuance of a visa can pay an additional $60 for an expedited service. In addition, they can pay fees to have the passport sent by overnight services. Proof of the need for expedited service must be provided.

Turn around for an expedited passport is approximately two weeks. You will want to pay the extra fee for a passport book. The passport book can be shipped overnight, however the card is only shipped by US mail.

If you are facing a life or death situation, you can get an emergency passport. These emergency passports can be obtained in a 24 hour period, however, you may have to travel to one of the regional passport centers or pay an agent to make application for you. You can call the toll-free number of the State Department to schedule an appointment at the center. Centers are open Monday through Friday during normal business hours and closed weekends and federal holidays. If you take the completed application to the center at your appointment along with proof of travel, you can get your passport immediately.

When an individual needs an emergency passport but is unable to travel to the regional agency, an agent can be hired to take care of processing the application. These agents often use overnight delivery companies to receive your application and to ship your passport. Many are able to obtain your passport within twenty-four hours. These professionals are experienced at dealing with the State Department.

If you employ a service to act as your USA Passport agent, in addition to the fee you will need to pay the government for the passport of $135, you will need to pay the agencies fees for the service and the fees for overnight or priority shipping. This can often triple the actual cost of an emergency passport application, but is often less expensive and stressful than having to travel to the regional center yourself.