When an individual decides to become a world traveler, he may be more interested in where he is going than how to get there. If inexperienced with international travel, it is easy to be ignorant of the documents required to enter and leave the country. In such a situation, the traveler may already have a departure date when he realizes that he must acquire a rush passport before leaving home.
If your old passport that was issued at least 15 years ago or you have never had one, the application process is very specific. After completing the application form and securing all of the necessary documents that go with it, you must apply in person. This appearance takes place at what is called an acceptance facility, which is normally located at your local post office or in a local government office. The types of documents that are filed in support of your application are all specified on the website of the passport agency. To ensure that your application can be accepted on your first visit, make sure you understand the pertinent requirements.
Be sure to understand the travel document rules of the locations you will be visiting. Some countries require that your passport be valid for a minimum amount of time beyond your scheduled stay, usually anywhere from 90 days to six months. If you already possess a valid passport, but it will expire soon, you may need to file for a renewal to meet these guidelines. Obtaining a renewal is somewhat easier than an initial application because you have already passed the acceptance process. You can complete a renewal by mailing in your application.
Knowing that you have limited time in which to procure your urgent U.S. passport, you should understand the three basic ways in which you can accelerate the application procedures. The first two are accomplished by dealing directly with the issuing agency, but in very different ways. The third method involves securing the services of a private company that specializes in providing this type of service.
The easiest choice is to check a box on the application form requesting expedited service. This can be done whether applying at a facility or through the mail. There is an extra fee of $60 for this service, which basically allows the application to move to the top of the pile for processing. As a general guideline, using this option will shorten the total time by about one half. The traveler can see if this option will be sufficient by checking the published processing times on their website.
Sometimes when dealing with a passport agency, you may find that your departure date is sooner than the time it takes to get priority service. If this happens, you can ask for an appointment to visit a Regional Agency Office, where you directly hand your application and documents to the agent, pay all fees, including the extra $60, and prove that you indeed have a departure date this is very near. In this case you can receive your documents more quickly. This option is not always easily available for some travelers since these regional offices are geographically based and there might not be one very close to where you live.
If the first option is not fast enough, and the second is not convenient due to distance, there is yet another available to you. There are companies that specialize in expediting travel documents. The charges for these services vary based on how quickly you need your passport returned, but some of these providers claim they will get your documents in as few as one or two days. Keep in mind that the faster the service you desire, the more you will pay for it. It is very important that you understand that utilizing one of these companies does not change what application and documents you must provide. The difference is that you send them to this private company that will then generally hand carry your application to an issuing agency office.
The key point to remember is that no matter your document situation, there are options to assist you in applying for, and securing, an express passport. Do not let the trip of a lifetime pass you by for fear that you can’t get your urgent pasport in time. If you do your homework and evaluate your options, you can find a way to get it done in time.
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