Applying For An Expedited Passport - What You Need To Know

Whether you are a frequent traveler, or are going outside the United States for the first time

, it is important that you understand what travel documents are required for your trip. At the top of the list should be a passport. It is needed for entry into many countries of the world, and more importantly, is required for return to the U.S. upon the conclusion of your trip. If you didn't understand the importance of this document, and your trip is fast approaching, you might find it necessary to apply for an overnight passport.

When applying for an initial passport, or to replace one more than 15 years old, the applicant must present himself to an agent to begin the process. Most towns and cities will have an acceptance facility, located either at one of the city government offices or in the post office, where this application process is initiated. Prior to appearing, it is important to understand all of the application requirements so that any essential documents can be obtained in advance. Be sure to read about the acceptable identification papers on the website of the issuing agency in order to be fully prepared.

Be sure to understand the travel document rules of the locations you will be visiting. Some countries require that your passport be valid for a minimum amount of time beyond your scheduled stay, usually anywhere from 90 days to six months. If you already possess a valid passport, but it will expire soon, you may need to file for a renewal to meet these guidelines. Obtaining a renewal is somewhat easier than an initial application because you have already passed the acceptance process. You can complete a renewal by mailing in your application.

Knowing that you have limited time in which to procure your urgent U S passport, you should understand the three basic ways in which you can accelerate the application procedures. The first two are accomplished by dealing directly with the issuing agency, but in very different ways. The third method involves securing the services of a private company that specializes in providing this type of service.

The easiest choice is to check a box on the application form requesting expedited service. This can be done whether applying at a facility or through the mail. There is an extra fee of $60 for this service, which basically allows the application to move to the top of the pile for processing. As a general guideline, using this option will shorten the total time by about one half. The traveler can see if this option will be sufficient by checking the published processing times on their website.

If, after reviewing the published estimated lead times, it is determined that the first option will not be fast enough, another alternative is available. The traveler must request an appointment with a representative at a Regional Passport Agency office, at which time the application and all additional documents and fees are personally presented to the representative. The applicant must prove that his travel is fast approaching. This may not be a viable option for all individuals, depending on where they live and how far away the nearest regional office is located. However, if this is a reasonable option, an individual can generally get a passport in a short period of time.

If the first option is not fast enough, and the second is not convenient due to distance, there is yet another available to you. There are companies that specialize in expediting travel documents. The charges for these services vary based on how quickly you need your passport returned, but some of these providers claim they will get your documents in as few as one or two days. Keep in mind that the faster the service you desire, the more you will pay for it. It is very important that you understand that utilizing one of these companies does not change what application and documents you must provide. The difference is that you send them to this private company that will then generally hand carry your application to an issuing agency office.

by: Ben Pate.

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