If you need to travel outside of the United States, you must have a passport. Since June 1, 2009, persons leaving the U. S. or its territories have been required to present a passport for re-entry into the U. S. (passport cards are acceptable for travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean area). If you have family living outside of the United States, there can be times when you will need to make a visit in case of emergency. In this case, you will need to have an emergency passport for the visit.

You should always have a plan for emergencies when family lives outside of the U. S.  The best plan if you have family living out of the United States is to have a valid passport at all times. This will allow you to avoid having to apply for the emergency passport.

In order to obtain that passport, you will need to follow the rules that the State Department has established. These rules, as well as the applicable forms, can be found on the website for the U. S. Department of State. The application will need to be returned to a passport processing center. There is at least one in most cities of any size. Currently, the return time is four to six weeks.

People planning to travel in fewer than fourteen days or who need a passport to obtain a visa can pay an extra fee and get an expedited passport. You will also want to pay for overnight delivery and choose the passport book as this will be the quickest way to get the passport back. In addition, you will need proof of your travel dates.

Turn around for an expedited passport is approximately two weeks. You will want to pay the extra fee for a passport book. The passport book can be shipped overnight, however the card is only shipped by US mail.

Should you be dealing with a critical situation, you may not have two to three weeks, so you will want to apply for the emergency passport. To make this application, you need to take all the paperwork to a regional processing center. You must call first to schedule the appointment. While appointments are often available within twenty-four hours, the centers are closed weekends and federal holidays. In addition to all other documentation, you will also need proof of your travel plans.

If you need a passport and cannot physically travel to the regional agency, you will find several companies that will for a fee serve as your agent and make application for your passport. You will need to send information to the agent using overnight delivery and they will return your passport in the same manner. Many of these agents are able to obtain your passport within a twenty four hour period.

If you employ a service to act as your pasport agent, in addition to the fee you will need to pay the government for the passport of $135, you will need to pay the agencies fees for the service and the fees for overnight or priority shipping. This can often triple the actual cost of an emergency us passport, but is often less expensive and stressful than having to travel to the regional center yourself.