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You can get an emergency passport renewal as quickly as the same day. If you find yourself in an emergency situation and need to get your passport renewed in a hurry, you will have to expedite the application process. Renewing a passport in such a short period of time can be done in two ways. You can either submit your application at a regional agency or you can authorize a private expediter to do it for you.
Apply for Emergency Passport Renewal at Regional Agency
The first step to getting emergency passport renewal at a regional passport agency is to schedule an appointment. Contact the National Passport Information Center which has an automated appointment system at 1-877-487-2778. Frequently, it can be hard to get through so be prepared to try several attempts.
Is there an option if you are unable to make an appointment before you departure date? You can try just showing up at the regional agency closes to your location. While the State Department claims you need to make an appointment, we have never heard of anyone with a legitimate emergency being turned away.
What are the requirements to expedite a passport renewal? Requirements include a completed application form DS-82, your most recent passport and two passport-style pictures that are no more than six months old. Applicants whose name has changed since their last passport was issued also need to submit legal evidence of the name change.
If you arrive at the regional passport agency without an appointment, you will not have a confirmation number. Therefore, you will be required to present your Social Security card. You also need to take proof of your departure date to prove your need for emergency passport renewal.
The cost of expediting your passport renewal at an agency is $135. The application fee is $75 and expedited service is an additional $60. Payment should be made by personal check, money order or bank draft. Make your payment payable to the U.S. Department of State. Your application should be processed and your renewed passport ready either the same day or the day after.
Emergency Passport Renewals through a Passport Expediter
There is another option for those who are unable to travel to a regional agency. This method entails authorizing a professional expediter to present the application for express passport renewal for you. Since professional expediters are usually found in the same cities as the regional agencies and registered with them, it is a logical solution.
The first step is to choose the expediter that you would like to use and complete their application process. Next, you must mail them the completed form DS-82 and the supporting documents. You should use a two-way overnight delivery method that is traceable. You are also encouraged to use a secure package.
While professional expediters can get your passport renewed as quickly as the same day, you will need to factor in mail delivery time if you elect to use this method. Of course, getting to a regional agency could cost you a lot of time, especially if you do not live near one.
The fees for emergency passport renewals through a professional expediter vary. You should expect to pay somewhere between $65 for passport renewals expedited in two weeks to as much as $300 for same day service. This is in addition to the fees paid to the State Department.
Professional expediters can be costly and you can save some money if you submit the application yourself. When you are unable to get to a regional agency and you are facing the risk of having to cancel your trip, contracting a professional expediter to submit your application for emergency passport renewal could be a very wise move.