Not enough time to go through the standard US passport renewal process? If you have tickets to leave the country in the next 14 days and just found out that your passport is expired, you have a couple of different options.
The first is to make an appointment at the nearest Regional Passport Agency office. These are special passport offices that are capable of issuing passports within 24 hours to US citizens with emergency travel needs. There are currently 21 of these offices scattered throughout the US, so depending on where you live, getting to the closest one may require some traveling in and of itself. If you decide to go this route, here’s what you need to do:
Call 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment.
Do not attempt to renew by mail, even if you are eligible to do so! Instead, bring your US passport renewal application, your current passport, legal documentation to support any name change and 2 passport photos with you to the appointment.
Research to ensure that you are bringing all of the documents you need. See Passport Renewal: A Step by Step Guide for details.
Don’t be late to your appointment. The tide waits for no man-and neither do Regional Passport Agency offices! You won’t be allowed in if you arrive more than 15 minutes after the appointment time.
The second option is to hire a private passport expediting company to handle the appointment for you.
This is an especially good option for those who don’t live near a Regional Passport Agency office or who work during the day when passport agency offices are open and can’t get time off work to go. An expeditor will deliver your application to the Department of State for fast processing without the hassle of making an appointment and waiting in line.
If you choose this option, research the company first to make sure they are reputable. Then, follow the instructions they give you very carefully to ensure that you get your passport in the time period promised.
Alison Kroulek is a freelance writer and blogger with a focus on the travel industry.
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