The panic has set it: you’re weeks away from your international vacation and your passport is…expired. (And hey, even if there are a few months left, you’ll still want to review the 6-month passport rule first).
Yes, you should’ve checked it beforehand, but it’s too late for that now. Luckily, there are ways to get fast passport renewal in the U.S., but there are certain criteria that must be met. Or, if you are being forced to travel for a more somber occasion, like a family emergency, there are options for that as well.
So, here are some of the most commonly asked questions about emergency passport renewal answered.
How fast can I get a passport?
This will fully depend on your circumstances. The U.S. Department of State does offer urgent passport services, but you have to meet certain stipulations, and both require in-person appointments at a U.S. Passport Agency or Center.
One is “Life-or-Death Emergency.” This means that you have an immediate family member (parent, child, spouse, grandparent or sibling) in a foreign country who has died, is dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury and you must travel within the next 14 days to reach them. If you fall into this category, you can follow the instructions on the U.S. Department of State website, which requires official documentation of the emergency, completion of a passport application, and the scheduling of an appointment via the online portal or by calling. You are only able to schedule your appointment within two weeks before your trip, and will need to bring proof of travel (airline ticket, reservation, etc).
The second option is “Urgent Travel,” which is for those simply traveling to a foreign country within 14 days. Again, this type of fast passport processing requires an appointment at a passport agency, as there is not enough time to go through the mail-in process (even if you are traveling within three weeks, you should choose this option as well). For this method, it is important to keep in mind that it is not guaranteed that an appointment will be available.
How exactly do I make an appointment?
If you have not applied for a passport or renewal at all yet, you can try to make one online at PassportAppointment.Travel.State.Gov.
If you have already submitted a passport application and you need extra fast processing — or you were not successful in making an online appointment — you must call their phone line:
- 1-877-487-2778 for Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
- 202-647-4000 for weekends, federal holidays, and after 8 p.m. ET Monday-Friday
Remember, for urgent passport renewal (any point less than two weeks from travel), you must make an agency appointment.
How do I find a passport agency?
Ok, so this could complicate your process a bit, and is also a reason a courier service might be a good option (see more on that below). Passport Agencies or Centers are different than passport acceptance facilities which include local government offices. There are a very limited number of agencies, so if you live far from one, it could be difficult to get there for an appointment.
In New York City, there is one down on Hudson St., but the only other one is the state besides that is all the way in Buffalo. You can see a full list of agencies on the government website, or in the map below.
Where can I get my passport same day?
This is only feasible if you are able to get an appointment at the passport agency the same day and also, how much bandwidth the agency has to turn around your passport. Some people are able to get their new or renewed passport the same day as their appointment, simply coming back later to pick it up, while others get it the next or a few days later. It will also depend on how quickly your trip is taking place in relation to your appointment.
Now, there are third party companies who claim to be able to provide this service, as they hire couriers to go to the appointment for you, and can help you with application paperwork, etc.
Just remember, they still have to go through all the same steps you would — needing an appointment, the process going through the State Department, etc. — they just have someone help do the steps for you. So if you are in a crunch for time it can help, but it will cost you — as much as $999 for same-day service.
And as the State Govt. website states, “If you use a courier company, you will not receive your passport faster than applying at one of our passport agencies.” You can also check their website for a list of companies registered with the U.S. Department of State.
What if I don’t need it that soon, but still can’t wait the full time?
If you’re not in a dire 2-3-weeks-from-travel situation, there is a simpler “Expedited” service. This is for those traveling within 6 weeks of your passport application submission date. In this case, renewal can be done at an acceptance facility (different than a Passport Agency, this has more options like post office and libraries) or by mail. This is similar to the regular process, but you pay an extra fee to have it processed sooner.