How to Get a US Passport Fast in 2024?

Do you have a last-minute opportunity to go on a dream trip? Or urgently booking travel for family affairs? And the only thing that’s keeping you off is to learn how to get a US passport fast.

Let’s dig down into every option you’ve got!

How to Get a US Passport Fast?

There are different urgent circumstances in life when you need to get a foreign visa or a passport fast. These are the ways you can take.

Option One: Fast passport service at the post office

If you pay a $60 expediting fee alongside your average application fee, you’ll expedite the passport service up to 9 weeks, instead of the average 12 weeks. However, it cannot be guaranteed. There might be some delays with processing times in general or with your particular case. For instance, when you need to present some additional documents for your application.

Also mind that if you want to speed up the passport delivery, you need to pay an extra fee for faster shipping. Remember that you don’t need to line up in the post office, there are a few other acceptance facilities nearby. Find your location here https://iafdb.travel.state.gov

Option Two: Passport agency’s expedited service

If your trip abroad is as urgent as can be and you’re leaving in 8 days or less, book an appointment and visit one of the regional passport agencies of the State Department in person. There are also provisions in case you’re traveling next month and together with the passport, you’ll require a foreign visa.

Passport agencies will be able to accommodate you within 8 business days or even faster so that you or your family member will get a US passport. Be ready to pay the same fee of $60. The bad news is that you’ll probably need to travel to one of the 26 regional passport agencies or centers. And it’ll probably be a good distance from your place.

How to get your US passport even faster?

Make an appointment at a passport agency or center as a life-or-death emergency service or urgent travel service by calling. No walk-in meetings. The appointment booking is free of charge.

Life-or-Death Emergency Service is for customers traveling internationally in the next 3 business days. Please learn more here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/emergencies.html

Urgent Travel Service is for customers traveling internationally within 14 calendar days or when they need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days. Call the primary number 1-877-487-2778 8.00 am – 10.00 pm ET, Saturdays and Sundays 10.00 am – 3.00 pm ET. Apart from the federal holidays.

More vital details for international travel

• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please call 1-888-874-7793 for TDD/TTY teletype services.
• Contact the local U.S. embassy or consulate if applying from abroad.
• Email NPIC@state.gov only to cancel an appointment at a passport agency.
• Please call if you are requesting a status update or if you have a travel emergency.

Option Three: Passport expediting company

Hand in your application paperwork to a registered passport expediting company that will deliver it to the Department of State. The processing will take a minimum of 7 business days. Overnight, they’ll ship your new passport to you.

Passport expediting companies can offer different times of processing from 13 weeks to 1 week, which will cost you from $109 to $799 of expedited fee. The additional government fee adds up to another $209. And you’ll have to pay the $60 government expedited fee as well. It sounds like a big investment. But on the other hand, it’s worth the money spent to avoid much waiting and missed opportunities.

Contact your local Congressman to get a US passport fast

If you’ve chosen one of the two first options and have not received your passport, get in touch with a U.S. Congressman. They can help to minimize the time and assist in securing appointments in urgent cases. You will still need to pay the $60 government fee for expedited service. Congressional offices can’t schedule appointments or submit a passport application for you. You’ll need to sign a privacy release form so that they acquire written authorization to look into your case.

Learn the representative office by entering your zip: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

FAQ

How fast does it take to get a US passport?

It usually takes about 13 weeks to receive your passport. There is no guarantee as the current processing times may change.

How to get a US passport card fast?

With passport application documentation ready, you can get your passport card faster when booking an appointment with a passport agency or center.