It happens, you booked an international trip and didn’t realize your passport expires in three or six months and your destination country won’t let you enter. Or maybe you’ve never had a passport before and thought it would be easy to get one just a few days before your trip. Whatever the reason, fortunately, there are ways to obtain a passport faster than usual.
Types of service for a passport
The U.S. Department of State offers four different passport service options, each designed for specific circumstances and with varying processing times.
Life-or-death
✈️ Travel in less than 14 days
More about qualifying circumstances here.
Urgent
✈️ Travel in less than 2-3 weeks
Expedited
✈️ Travel in less than 6 weeks
Routine
✈️ Travel 6 weeks or more
How to get an urgent passport
If you qualify for an urgent passport:
- You must make an appointment at a passport agency or center (within 14 calendar days of international travel date, or 28 if you need a foreign visa). Walk-ins are not accepted for urgent appointments.
- Gather your required documents necessary for a first-time passport or passport renewal
- Provide proof of international travel, such as an airline ticket or itinerary receipt, at appointment
- Pay the additional $60 expedite fee
Where can I find a nearby passport agency or center?
Passport agencies can be few and far. Luckily, NYC has its own agency at 376 Hudson Street (10th Floor) in Hudson Square. There’s also a location in Connecticut about an hour drive from NYC at 850 Canal Street, Stamford or two hours away in Philadelphia at Robert N.C. Nix Federal Building 9th and Chestnut Street (Suite 100).
Use the U.S. Department of State’s online map of passport office locations here to find others nearby.
Passport agencies and centers are not the same as passport acceptance facilities, such as libraries, post offices and local government offices.
How quickly can I get my urgent passport?
Based on online information, life-or-death and urgent passports can be issued as quickly as the same day or within 48 to 72 hours when you apply in person at your scheduled appointment.
What important factors should I consider when applying for an urgent passport?
Keep in mind that urgent passport appointments are very limited and not guaranteed.
Of course, you should always try to prevent the stress of needing an urgent passport, as it should be a last-resort or emergency option.