If you need a passport in a hurry, you can get expedited U S passports. Whatever type of passport you are requesting, you have the option of asking for this service. It will cost you an additional $60 on top of whatever fees are already associated with your application.
There are some cases where it is recommended that you request your passport application to be expedited. If you are planning on traveling in the next couple of weeks, you should request this service. Also, if you need your passport within the next month to secure a foreign visa, this is recommended.
Normally, passports can take anywhere from four to six weeks to process. In busier times, it may take up to ten weeks to arrive. Therefore, if your need is any time before that, you may want to consider getting the expedited service just to be safe.
To assist in getting your passport as quickly as possible, it is suggested to send the application using overnight delivery and to have the new passport sent that way as well. If you choose to send it using mail, write EXPEDITE on the package. Also, it is best to send it so that it is traceable. No matter how you send it, make sure that the package is secure so that no damages occur to it.
You can have your passport expedited for any reason or for no particular reason at all. It is a service that is available to anyone and for all types of pasports: renewals, first time, for a name change or for a child. Bear in mind that if you send multiple passport applications together, the passports themselves may be sent back separately. Any personal documents that need to be returned may also be sent separately.
If a life or death emergency situation requiring a passport in less time than this, do not use the expedited service for your passport. Rather, you will have to call the passport agency to request an emergency service appointment. When you go to the agency, you might be asked for proof of why you need your passport immediately.
You will normally receive your expedited passport in two to three weeks. For this reason, it is smart to always have a passport that is valid. If you want to go on vacation at the last minute, you might not be able to do so as this will not qualify as an emergency.
Remember that, if you have changed your name for any reason, such as marriage, you will need to get a new passport that reflects this change. This is an important consideration regarding honeymoon plans if you are traveling internationally. You may not want to do any of the paperwork associated with your name change until after you return.
If you have any reason to think you need your passport faster than normal, you may want to apply for an expedited US passport. The extra fee will be well worth it if it means you do not have to say no to a last minute trip out of town. And you will then not have to worry about it for another ten years.
