How to Get a Passport Fast

Your Options, Ranked by Speed

Let's cut right to it. Here are your options from fastest to slowest:

• Life-or-death emergency: Same day. Free beyond normal fees.
• Urgent travel appointment: 1-3 days. Travel must be within 14 days.
• Expedited processing by mail: 2-3 weeks. Costs an extra $60.
• Routine processing: 4-6 weeks. Standard fees only.

The processing times listed by the State Department only cover the time your application is actually at a passport agency. Mailing time adds up to two weeks on each end. So a "2-3 week" expedited application could actually take 6-7 weeks door to door if you're unlucky with the mail.

Option 1: Urgent Travel Appointment (Fastest for Most People)

If you're traveling internationally within 14 calendar days, you can make an appointment at a passport agency or center and potentially walk out with a passport the same day or within a few days.

Here's how to do it:

1. Go to the State Department's Online Passport Appointment System
2. Enter your travel date - must be within 14 calendar days (or 28 days if you need a foreign visa)
3. Select a passport agency location - there are 26 across the country
4. Book the earliest available appointment

You'll need to bring proof of travel (flight itinerary or ticket confirmation), a completed passport application, your photo, and all supporting documents.

Can't Find an Appointment?

Appointments at passport agencies fill up fast, especially during spring and summer. If nothing's available:

• Check multiple locations. You're not limited to your nearest agency. Flying to another city for a passport appointment might be worth it.
• Check back frequently. Cancellations happen throughout the day. Try the online system multiple times.
• Call 1-877-487-2778. Phone agents can sometimes find appointments not visible online.

Option 2: Life-or-Death Emergency Service

If an immediate family member is dying, has died, or you have a life-threatening emergency abroad, you can get a passport the same day.

Call 1-877-487-2778 during business hours or the emergency line at (202) 647-4000 after hours, weekends, and holidays.

You'll need documentation of the emergency (hospital records, death certificate, etc.). The State Department takes these cases seriously and will work with you to issue a passport as quickly as possible.

Option 3: Expedited Processing by Mail

This is the most common option for people who have a few weeks but can't wait the standard 4-6 weeks. Here's what to do:

1. Complete your passport application (Form DS-82 for renewals, DS-11 for first-time)
2. Write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of your mailing envelope - yes, in big letters
3. Include the $60 expedite fee on top of the standard application fee
4. Pay for 1-3 day delivery - $22.05 for faster return shipping
5. Mail it to the expedited processing address listed on the application

The processing time is 2-3 weeks once they receive your application. Add mailing time on both ends and you're looking at 4-5 weeks total in most cases.

Pro Tip: Use Overnight Shipping Both Ways

Send your application via overnight delivery (FedEx, UPS, or USPS Priority Express) and pay the $22.05 for 1-3 day return delivery. This cuts out the slowest part of the process - the mail.

Option 4: Routine Processing

If you're planning ahead (as you should be), routine processing takes 4-6 weeks and is the cheapest option. No expedite fee. Just the standard application fee.

Current fees for routine processing:

• Adult passport book: $130 application fee + $35 acceptance fee = $165 total
• Adult passport renewal by mail: $130 (no acceptance fee)
• Child under 16: $100 application fee + $35 acceptance fee = $135 total

First-Time vs. Renewal: Different Processes

First-Time Applicants (or Expired Over 5 Years)

You must apply in person at an acceptance facility (post office, clerk's office, or library). You'll need:

• Completed Form DS-11 (do NOT sign until you're at the facility)
• Proof of US citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate)
• Valid photo ID
• Passport photo (2x2 inches, taken within 6 months)
• Payment

Renewals (Most Recent Passport Still Valid or Expired Less Than 5 Years)

You can renew by mail if your most recent passport was issued when you were 16 or older, within the last 15 years, isn't damaged, and is in your current name (or you can document the name change). Use Form DS-82.

Private Expediting Services

Third-party expediting companies will physically take your application to a passport agency and wait for it. They charge $100-$500+ on top of government fees, but they can get you a passport in as little as 24 hours in some cases.

These services are legitimate - the State Department acknowledges them - but they can't do anything you couldn't do yourself with a passport agency appointment. They're most useful when you can't personally travel to a passport agency.

Make sure to use a reputable company. Look for ones registered as acceptance agents with the State Department.

Passport Cards vs. Passport Books

A passport card ($30) is cheaper and processes faster, but it only works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It doesn't work for air travel. If you're flying internationally, you need the passport book.

Common Mistakes That Slow Things Down

• Wrong photo specs. Your photo must meet exact requirements (white background, specific dimensions, no glasses). Get it done at a drugstore or passport photo service.
• Incomplete application. Missing a signature, a date, or a payment will send your application to the back of the line.
• Not including your old passport. Renewals require you to mail in your current passport.
• Name mismatch. If your name has changed since your last passport, you need legal documentation (marriage certificate, court order).
• Sending to the wrong address. Expedited and routine applications go to different processing centers.

What to Bring to Your Passport Appointment

Whether you're applying at a post office or a passport agency, showing up without the right documents wastes everyone's time. Here's your complete checklist:

• Completed application form (DS-11 for new, DS-82 for renewal). Don't sign it until instructed.
• Proof of US citizenship: Original or certified birth certificate, previous US passport, naturalization certificate, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
• Government-issued photo ID: Driver's license, military ID, or previous passport.
• Passport photo: 2x2 inches, white background, taken within the last 6 months. No glasses.
• Payment: Check or money order for application fees. Some facilities accept credit cards. Passport agencies accept all payment types.
• Proof of travel (for agency appointments only): Flight itinerary, hotel reservations, or travel confirmation.
• Your old passport (for renewals): You must submit your most recent passport. You'll get it back by mail after processing.

Passport Photos: Getting Them Right

A rejected photo is one of the most common reasons passport applications get delayed. Save yourself the headache by following these rules:

• Plain white or off-white background
• Taken within the last 6 months
• Full face, front view, eyes open
• No glasses of any kind (this changed a few years ago)
• No uniforms, hats, or head coverings (religious exceptions allowed)
• Neutral expression - the State Department literally says "no smiling"

Drugstores like CVS and Walgreens take passport photos for about $15. Some post offices offer the service too. You can also use a smartphone app and print at home, but the lighting and background requirements are strict.

What If You're Abroad and Need a New Passport?

Lost or stolen passport while traveling? Head to the nearest US embassy or consulate. They can issue an emergency passport, usually within 24-72 hours. You'll need to file a police report (for stolen passports), bring a passport photo, and have proof of US citizenship if available.

This is why keeping a photocopy of your passport's information page in a separate location from your actual passport is such good advice. A digital copy on your phone or in your email works too.

Planning Ahead Is the Best Strategy

The cheapest and least stressful approach is to renew your passport well before you need it. Check your passport's expiry date right now. Many countries require at least six months of validity, which means your passport is effectively useless for international travel six months before it actually expires.

Set a reminder to start the renewal process 9-12 months before expiration. Future you will be grateful.