Nothing is worse than coming up on an international travel date and realizing that passports have expired. However, depending on when the passport is needed, citizens have several options for expediting their documents. In order to get a passport renewal expedited service, citizens should decide whether to renew by mail or in-person. They will have to prepare their application and payment and submit the application materials, along with the old passport,to the appropriate agency.

DS-82 Form

Mail renewal is the right option for most situations. Travelers may check the State Department's website, to find the estimated fulfillment times for rushed passports. Also, travelers may check the progress of their application packet on the State Department website. In addition, travelers will find the current rush delivery fee, and Form DS-82, "Passport by Mail, " online.

By Mail

Sometimes, mail renewal will not be possible. If passports are damaged or more than fifteen years old, applicants will be required to renew in person. If passports do not contain the applicant's current name and the applicant is unable to document the name change, the applicant will have to apply in person. Also, if the applicant was not yet sixteen years of age when the original was issued, the applicant will have to renew in-person, instead of through the mail.

Fees

Applicants renewing by mail should complete Form DS-82. Then, after looking up the current rush fee, applicants must contact their closest agency to obtain the address and to find out what methods of payment are accepted. Form DS-82, the old passport and the rush fee should be placed, unfolded,into a manila envelope. On the exterior of the envelope, applicants must write the word "expedited." In addition, the State Department recommends paying for two-way overnight courier service.

Faster Service

For citizens within two weeks of their travel date, faster measures are needed. Citizens should contact their regional agency and use the automated telephone system to make an appointment. After the appointment is made, callers will receive a confirmation number, an appointment time and an agency address. Citizens should arrive at the office with all materials including the rush fee and a travel itinerary or e-ticket.

Five Days Or Less

By law, the State Department has to comply with an expediting time frame. All expedited passports must enter the system at least five days after receipt at the agency or five days after confirmation of the processing request. Application status may be tracked online after about five to seven days.

Private Agencies

To save time, applicants may choose to consult a private expediter. Private expediters may charge additional fees plus the rush fee but applicants will be spared the hassle of processing their paperwork and dealing with an agency. Before paying an expediter, however, applicants will have to verify the existence of the expediter's telephone number and receive a thorough explanation of fees. Checking for online reviews of the expediter may also be helpful.

Discovering an expired United States passport in the days leading up to international travel may cause travelers to panic. Fortunately, the US government will allow in-person renewal if the travel date is less than two weeks away and mail renewal otherwise. For people too busy to worry about procedures, a US passport renewal expedited service will help.