When you have international travel around the corner, it is imperative to have a valid U.S. Passport. Without one, you may not even be able to board your flight, much less enter the country you’re traveling to. If your passport has expired, or you need to apply for a new passport and don’t have much time, you may find yourself in a bind. What is the fastest way to get a passport? How do you get an expedited passport?

Routine service at a Passport Acceptance Facility or the Post Office can take up to 11 weeks to process, with standard expediting options offering services in up to 7 weeks, but what if you need your passport sooner? If you have urgent international travel upcoming, you’ll likely want to attempt to schedule an appointment with a Regional Passport Agency or utilize a private expediting company.

Schedule An Appointment with a Regional Passport Agency

If you are departing sooner than what routine processing or standard expediting services can provide, you may attempt to schedule an emergency appointment with a Regional Passport Agency.

While appointments for emergency passports are available to travelers with urgent needs, there are strict eligibility requirements.

This requirement is usually for a life-threatening or fatal emergency, or if a family member has died abroad. If you are eligible, a Regional Passport Agency can potentially issue a U.S. passport within 3 business days. 

You can review the requirements and estimated processing times for these appointments here, as outlined by the U.S. Department of State.

In addition to strict requirements, appointments can be hard to come by. There are only a handful of Regional Passport Agencies across the United States to attempt to schedule an appointment with, and walk-ins are prohibited.

Utilizing A Private Expediting Company

If you’re traveling in the near future, and can’t schedule an appointment with a Regional Passport Agency (or simply don’t want to), then you’ll want to look into a private company that can expedite your passport.

Private expediting companies that are registered with the United States government’s Hand-Carry Program have the ability to cut down on the time it takes to receive your passport once you’ve gathered your required documents, and have submitted your application.

While private expedited services range in terms of how long it will take to get a U.S. passport, this option can get your passport back to you in as little as 7 business days. 

Just like the traditional methods of applying, this time frame begins once your application and required documents have been received by the company expediting your passport.

Using a private company to expedite your U.S. passport can save time and help avoid delays and mistakes, resulting in a faster approval than standard or routine processing.

Expedited Passport Services with RushMyPassport

If you need a passport quickly, but don’t have the time or patience to go to a passport agency, RushMyPassport can help.

With services ranging from new passports, passport renewals, child passports, or replacing a lost or stolen passport, RushMyPassport is the most convenient way to get a passport in a hurry! Visit us online to get started, or visit a FedEx Office location near you!