Every traveler dreads coming close to an international travel date and finding that passports are expired. Fortunately, depending on the traveler's time frame, travelers have several alternatives for rushing their applications. To secure passport renewal expedited service, travelers should choose either mail or in-person renewal, complete the application, submit payment and submit all materials, including the old passport, to the nearest agency.

DS-82 Form

Passports may be rushed by mail under most circumstances. The US State Department website publishes estimated expedited processing times and allows citizens to trace the progress of their applications online. The State Department website also publishes the current rush fee and provides copies of DS-82,which is the form entitled "Passport by Mail."

By Mail

Applicants may not renew by mail in some situations. If passports were issued more than fifteen years ago or are damaged, renewal must take place in person. Also, if current passports do not show the applicant's current name and the applicant cannot verify a legal name change, renewal must take place in person. Additionally, if the applicant was younger than sixteen years old when the original document was obtained, the renewal must take place in person.

Fees

To renew by mail, citizens should fill out Form DS-82. Then, after finding out what rush fees will be, citizens should contact their nearest agency for an address and to find out what payment methods are acceptable. The application, old passport and rush fee should be placed in a manila envelope and papers should not be folded within the envelope. The word "expedited" should be written on the outside of the envelope and citizens should consider 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

Current law has a specific definition for expediting. Expedited passports are processed within five days of either receipt at an agency or the date that the processing request is approved. Currently, applications take approximately five to seven days to track online.

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.

Finding out that the United States passport is expired shortly before scheduled travel may send citizens into a panic. However, the government allows expedited renewal via mail or, for those within two weeks of their travel date, via agency. For those who have no time to deal with passport procedures, a new passport renewal expedited service will be able to help.