When it comes to traveling anywhere that requires exiting and re-entering the United States of America, proper documentation is always required. If you have travel plans that come up at the last minute, you will need to take advantage of expedited pass port services. There are many acceptable reasons that will allow you to obtain proper documentation to permit travel in a prompt fashion.
Planning
It can take weeks or sometimes months to receive a passport if you opt for the regular routine service. The time it takes to process new applications is at least four weeks. The average time it takes to process is four to six weeks. If you plan on traveling soon and cannot wait for that time to pass, then you will need to apply for documents using an expedited service that can be made available.
Expedited Service
The expedited service processing times are a lot speedier than the routine service processing times. Processing an expedited application takes only two or three weeks rather than four to six weeks. The agency recommends that you purchase overnight delivery when mailing your application to make sure that the processing times stay expedited. You can get expedited service for a passport card application as well.
Travel Plans
If waiting two or three weeks is not acceptable for you, then you probably need the passport sooner. To get the documents that you need in only fourteen days, you can go directly to the agency to apply instead of waiting for the mail. You will need to call to schedule the appointment before you go in so that you will be helped immediately. Utilize the internet to find locations near you to make things easier for you.
Dire Circumstances
When it is not possible to wait a couple weeks for the application processing, there are other options available for those who qualify. A life or death emergency may occur that requires you to travel immediately. In the case that you need to travel, you will be able to receive assistance in getting a passport very quickly.
Application Process
Concerning life or death emergencies, applicants must visit their passport agency’s office and complete an emergency application. This extremely expedited passport will allow the individual to travel within twenty four to forty eight hours of the application, which will begin to be processed immediately. Due to changes in national security, you may be required to provide documentation proving that there is an emergency occurring overseas that requires your presence.
Cost
Receiving expedited processing times comes at a cost. On top of the standard application fees, there are additional costs to be considered with speeding up your application. There is an additional sixty dollars per application required in order to process more quickly. The bureau requests that applicants purchase two-way overnight delivery so that the mail service will not slow down the application period. Planning ahead can help ease some of these costs,so try to apply early if possible.