Travel is a great thing, but there are plenty of things that can take an anticipated trip and turn it into an absolute nightmare. While many of these things are beyond our control, something like an expired passport can be avoided. If the expiration date on the passport is before the trip that is scheduled in a few weeks, expedited American passport renewal is there to help save the day.

Remember the story of the friend that got to the gate and realized that their passport had expired? Everyone knows someone that this has happened to or is the person that actually has done this. The horror of realizing that the entire trip is in jeopardy is a sickening feeling, especially if there are other people that are traveling.

This is a perfect example of a situation that warrants expedited passport renewal. Passports are only valid for ten years. After ten years, a passport must be renewed. Just like new passport applications, renewal applications may be expedited at an additional fee.

The good news in all of this is that there is no need to have to wait in any lines again. Renewals services are done via the mail. All the applicant has to do is go on the Internet and download form DS-82 from the State Department website, fill it out, put in the required documents and fees and send it on its way.

Since the contents of this package are obviously very sensitive in nature, it is important to make sure that the packing is secure. The State Department has on their website that it is best to use Tyvek packaging. The applicant can take it one step further and ship it via overnight mail and pay for the proof of delivery. It will add a little reassurance that the old passport and documents were received safely.

When a passport is needed quicker than the standard order (about two months), it is recommended that expedited service is used. For anyone that is jammed up for time, the $60 fee is more than worth it. In addition to the extra service fee, there will also be the costs of expedited shipping.

If expedited service is used, the passport will usually be returned in under a month. If the trip is scheduled before that time, there are some other services that can be purchased that will have the passport arriving much sooner. They are of course more expensive, but that clock is not going to stop just because someone forgot to get their passport renewed.

Of all the things that can go wrong with international travel, it is never good to succumb to a preventable disaster. Trying to travel with an expired U.S. passport is most definitely a preventable disaster. Anyone that finds themselves with an expired passport right before a big trip should consider paying the extra fee for an expedited United States passport renewal. Sixty dollars is a small fee for peace of mind.