| Applying for a passport takes at least 6 weeks for | | | | you can have a passport issued the same day. |
| normal processing, and can take longer-especially if | | | | However, there are several disadvantages. First, the |
| the Department of State has a high volume of | | | | offices operate on an appointment-only basis-you |
| applications to deal with. Since it is better to be safe | | | | can't just walk in. Second, you may have to take |
| than sorry, you should apply well in advance of any | | | | additional time off work, as they are not open in the |
| planned international trip. | | | | evenings or on weekends. |
| But what if you don't have that much time? If you | | | | Third, there are only 18 Regional Passport Agencies |
| need a rush passport, there are three different | | | | offices to serve the entire country. If you are not |
| options available that can put your passport in your | | | | lucky enough to have one in your city, you could |
| hands more quickly. Here is a guide to the | | | | have to drive for hours or even take a plane to get |
| advantages and disadvantages of each. | | | | to the one closest to you! |
| Expedited Service | | | | A Private Expediting Company |
| The first option is to order expedited passport | | | | A private expediting company is the easiest way to |
| service from the Department of State. This may be | | | | rush a passport, especially if you don't live near a |
| a good choice if you have more than 2 weeks left | | | | Regional Passport Agency office. An expediting |
| before your departure date. To order expedited | | | | company acts as a courier, hand-delivering your |
| service, you will have to pay an additional $60.00 | | | | passport application to the Department of State for |
| expediting fee, plus $14.95 for overnight delivery | | | | you. |
| from the passport office to your house. The | | | | There are several advantages to this method. First, |
| Department of State recommends that you spring | | | | all you have to do is go to a passport acceptance |
| for overnight delivery to the passport office as well. | | | | facility (often a post office or a library) to have your |
| The advantages of this option is that it is the | | | | documents “sealed.” Then, you send your |
| cheapest way to rush your passport. The | | | | paperwork in to the expediting company and they |
| disadvantage is that it could still take 2 to 3 weeks | | | | handle the rest of the process for you. Depending on |
| or longer for your passport to arrive, even if you | | | | the option you choose, processing times can range |
| pay for overnight delivery both ways. | | | | from 24 hours to a little over a week. |
| Visit a Regional Passport Agency Office | | | | Of course, you do have to pay a fee to the |
| If you have flight already booked and can provide a | | | | expediting company. The amount of the fee varies |
| copy of your itinerary showing that you plan to leave | | | | depending on how quickly you need your passport |
| in less than 14 days, you can make an appointment | | | | application processed, but could easily be less than |
| to have a passport printed at the Regional Passport | | | | the amount of money you would lose from having to |
| Agency office closest to your house. | | | | take off work or drive to another city if you made |
| The advantage of this method is that, if all goes well, | | | | an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency office. |