February 11, 2010

Emergency Passport Renewal - How to Renew Your Passport Fast

Emergency passport renewals can be obtained as fast as the same day. If you find yourself pressed for time and in need of getting a passport fast, expediting the process is your only option. Get a passport renewed in 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.

Emergency Passport Renewals at a Regional Agency

The first step to getting emergency passport renewal at a regional agency is to set up an appointment. Contact the National Passport Information Center which has an automated appointment system at 1-877-487-2778. Frequently, it can be difficult to get through so plan on making several attempts.

What do you do if you can’t get through or there is no appointment available when you need it? Just show up at the regional agency nearest to where you are. Many applicants have been successful at applying without an appointment.

What is required 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 6 months old. If your name has changed since your last passport was issued, you will also be required to submit legal proof of this..

If you arrive at the regional passport agency without an appointment, you will not be able to show a confirmation number. It will be necessary to present your Social Security card. it is important that you also take proof of your departure date to prove your need for express passport renewal.

The cost of expediting your passport renewal at an agency is $135. The application fee is $75 and expedited service is an another $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 option entails authorizing a professional expediter to submit the application for express passport renewal as your representative. Since professional expediters are usually found in the same cities as the regional agencies and registered with them, it is a logical solution.

Many expediters have online forms you can use to apply for their service. Next, you must send them the completed application form and the other required documents. It is recommended that you use a two-way overnight delivery method that allows you to trace the package. You are also encouraged to use a secure package.

While professional expediters can obtain your passport renewal as fast as the same day, you will need to factor in mail delivery time if you elect to use this method. Of course, traveling to a regional agency could cost you a lot of time, especially if you do not live near one.

The fees for this service vary depending on the expediter you choose and how fast you need to get your passport renewed. You should expect to pay somewhere between $65 to get your passport in a couple of weeks to as much as $300 for same day service. This is in addition to the fees paid to the State Department.

Expediters can be costly and you can save some money if you submit the application yourself. When you cannot get to a regional agency and you are facing the risk of having to cancel your travel plans, contracting a professional expediter to submit your application for fast passport renewal could be a very wise decision.

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