How to Expedite a Passport (U.S.)

Co-authored by Valery Cury

Last Updated: December 23, 2022 References Approved

Anyone who plans to travel internationally needs a passport to leave the United States and enter another country. Although you should apply for a new passport or renew your current passport before the day you planned to leave, you may need to get your passport quickly because of unforeseen circumstances. The State Department offers an expedited service that can issue any American citizen a passport as early as the next day.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Renewing or Amending a Passport by Expedited Mail

1
Figure out what passport application you need and complete it. The State Department has different forms for different passport applications, from renewing your current passport, to changing your name and getting extra visa pages. You cannot get a new passport or replace a lost or stolen passport by expedited mail service.^{[1]
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- Fill out Form DS-82 if you're renewing your passport.^{[2]
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- Fill out Form DS-5504 if you need to change your name on your passport, for example because you got married.^{[3]
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- If the information on your passport is inaccurate, also fill out Form DS-5504.^{[4]
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- Fill out Form DS-4085 if you need extra visa pages.
2
Gather the proper documentation. All passport applications require additional documentation to the forms, including proof of citizenship and passport photos.
- You’ll need proof of US citizenship, such as an expired passport or a driver’s license or military identification and Social Security card, or birth certificate; and passport sized photographs. You will also need a separate copy of your photo identification.^{[5]
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3
Get passport photographs. All passport applications require at least one passport photo.
- You can have official passport sized photos made at places such as the United States Postal Service offices, stores like CVS, or even professional photography stores.
4
Pay for your passport application. You must submit payment for passport fees together with your application. Make sure to calculate the right amount to avoid any delay in getting your passport.
- Additional services, including getting an expedited passport, cost more than the standard passport issuing fees.
- For mail service, you can pay by personal check or money order made out to “US Department of State.”^{[6]
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- A passport booklet and passport card cost $140.^{[7]
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- Expedited service costs an additional $60 and the overnight delivery fee with package tracking costs $14.85.^{[8]
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5
Send your application. You may send in your application once you have collected the required documents.
- Send your documents in a high quality envelope. For example, a Tyvek envelope will protect your personal documents and passport application.^{[9]
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- Clearly write “EXPEDITE” on the outside of the envelope so the State Department knows it contains an expedited request.^{[10]
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- Mail with a trackable delivery service, such as FedEx, UPS, or USPS to ensure the security of your documents and their delivery at the State Department.
6
Check the status of your passport. The State Department offers a status check your passport's processing time approximately five to seven days after you file your application.^{[11]
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- Check current processing times to get an idea of when your expedited passport will arrive.^{[12]
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- You can check the status of your passport at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/after/status.html.
- Your new passport will arrive with USPS Priority Mail.
- The new passport may arrive separately from the personal documents you submitted with your application.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting a New or Replacement Passport by Expedited Mail

1
Figure out what passport application you need and complete it. The State Department has different forms for different types of passports, from getting a new passport to replacing a lost or stolen passport. You cannot get a new passport or replace a lost or stolen passport by expedited mail service until an authorized passport acceptance facility, such as the United States Postal Service has verified your application.^{[13]
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- First time passport applicants or persons whose most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago require Form DS-11.^{[14]
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- You must file applications for a new passport in person and cannot use the expedited mail service until you have taken your application to an authorized passport acceptance facility, such as the United States Postal Service.
- Fill out Forms DS-11 and DS-64 if your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged.
- You must apply for a replacement passport in person and cannot use the expedited mail service until you have taken your application to an authorized passport agency, such as the United States Postal Service.
2
Gather the proper documentation. All passport applications require additional documentation to the application forms.
- You’ll need proof of US citizenship, such as an expired passport or a driver’s license or military identification and Social Security card, or birth certificate; and passport sized photographs. You will also need a separate copy of your photo identification.^{[15]
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- Parents applying for a child’s passport must prove their relationship to the child. For example, you can provide a document such as the child's birth certificate.^{[16]
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  Research source}
3
Get passport photographs. All passport applications require at least one passport photo.
- You can have official passport sized photos made at places such as the United States Postal Service offices, stores like CVS, or even professional photography stores.
4
Prepare payment for application. You must submit payment for passport and application fees with your application. Make sure to calculate the right amount to avoid any delay in getting your passport.
- Additional services, including getting an expedited passport, cost more than the standard passport issuing fees.
- For mail service, you may pay by personal check or money order made out to “US Department of State.”^{[17]
  X
  Research source}
- A standard passport booklet and passport card costs $140.^{[18]
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  Research source}
- Expedited service costs an additional $60 and the overnight delivery fee with package tracking costs $14.85.^{[19]
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5
Take your completed application to an authorized passport acceptance facility. Once you’ve gathered all of your required documentation for a new or replacement passport, you must take it to an authorized passport acceptance facility. A representative will initiate the application for you and then you can submit it for expedited service by mail.^{[20]
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- Any United States Postal Service office can initiate your new or replacement pass.
- The authorized representative will verify your proof of citizenship and that the application is correct. Once your citizenship and application are verified, you can send in your application for an expedited passport by mail.
6
Send your application. You may send in your application once you have collected the required documents.
- Send your documents in a high quality envelope. For example, a Tyvek envelope will protect your personal documents and passport application.
- Clearly write “EXPEDITE” on the outside of the envelope so the State Department knows it contains an expedited request.^{[21]
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  Research source}
- Mail with a trackable delivery service, such as FedEx, UPS, or USPS to ensure the security of your documents and their arrival at the State Department.
7
Check the status of your passport. The State Department offers a status check your passport's processing time.
- You can also check current processing times to get an idea of when your expedited passport will arrive.^{[22]
  X
  Research source}
- You can check the status of your passport at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/after/status.html.
- Enter your CEAC number and it will let you know what your status.
- Your new passport will arrive with USPS Priority Mail.
- Your new passport may arrive separately from the personal documents you submitted with your application.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting An Expedited Passport at a Passport Agency

1
Have proof of travel. In order to get an appointment at a Passport Agency, you need proof that your are traveling within two weeks of your appointment date.
2
Find the closest Passport Agency. It’s often much faster to get your expedited passport at one of the 28 passport agencies. They can issue your new passport within one or two business days.^{[23]
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3
Make an appointment at a passport agency. You need an appointment to apply for a passport at one of the passport agencies.
- Make an appointment by calling (877) 487-2778. The appointment system is available daily from 8am to 10pm Eastern Time, except federal holidays.
4
Figure out what type of passport application you need and complete it. Once you have an appointment with a Passport Agency, figure out which application forms to take with you. The State Department has different forms according to what kind of passport you need, from new passports to extra visa pages.
- Fill out Form DS-82 if you're renewing your passport.^{[24]
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- Fill out Form DS-5504 if you need to change your name on your passport, for example because you got married.^{[25]
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  Research source}
- If the information on your passport is inaccurate, you also need to fill out Form DS-5504.^{[26]
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- Fill out Form DS-4085 if you need extra visa pages.
- Fill out form DS-11 if you are a first time passport applicant or your most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago.^{[27]
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  Research source}
- Fill out Forms DS-11 and DS-64 if your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged.
5
Gather the proper documentation. All passport applications require additional documentation to the application forms.
- You’ll need proof of US citizenship, such as an expired passport or a driver’s license or military identification and Social Security card, or birth certificate; and passport sized photographs. You’ll also need a separate copy of your photo identification.^{[28]
  X
  Research source}
- Parents applying for a child’s passport must prove their relationship to the child. For example, you can provide a document such as the child's birth certificate.^{[29]
  X
  Research source}
6
Get passport photographs. All passport applications require at least one passport photo.
- You can have official passport sized photos made at places such as the United States Postal Service offices, stores like CVS, or even professional photography stores.
7
Prepare payment for application. You must submit payment for passport and application fees with your application. Make sure to calculate the right amount to avoid any delay in getting your passport.
- Additional services, including getting an expedited passport, cost more than the standard passport issuing fees.
- Passport agencies accept cash, money orders, personal checks, and debit/ credit cards as a form of payment for passport services.
- A standard passport booklet and passport card costs $140.^{[30]
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  Research source}
- Expedited service costs an additional $60 and the overnight delivery fee with package tracking costs $14.85.^{[31]
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  Research source}
8
Arrive for your passport appointment. Arrive a little early for your passport appointment because you will go through security before meeting with an agent.
- A passport agency is a government office and you may not carry any weapons, including knives, guns, or mace into these buildings.
9
Meet with an agent. Make sure to have all of the required application forms and present them to the agent when you’re called. She will also answer any questions you may have.
- The agent will often decide if “will call,” or same day, service is appropriate for you.
- If you don’t need your passport immediately, the agent will schedule expedited mail delivery service for your new passport.
- You can also ask the agent to issue the passport that day if you’ve traveled from another city to the passport agency.

Community Q&A

Question

When applying for a passport, should I write my child's height in inches or centimeters?

Community Answer

Normally on the passport form it is stated what unit (i.e. centimeters/inches) is to be used. If this is not so I would advise using both units, placing the conversion of either one in brackets. For example; 5 feet (152.4 centimeters).
Question

Which application form should I use if my passport has expired and my name has changed?

Community Answer

You need to start a complete new form and pay for it. You must have a countersignature.
Question

Where do I go to sign my passport application in front of an authorized agent?

Community Answer

City hall and post offices are typically where you would go to get a passport signed in front of an authorized agent.