How to Expedite a Passport Renewal

The passport renewal process should be started aproximately nine months before a passport expires. That is the ideal. However, it is not uncommon for the expiration date to slip by unnoticed, especially if you don't travel very often. As Murphy's law would have it, you finally have the opportunity to travel abroad and discover your travel document is no longer valid. If your departure date is four weeks away or less, your only option is to expedite it. This hub will examine three approaches to getting your passport renewed fast.

The U.S. Department of State claims the processing time to expedite a passport renewal application by mail is 2 to 3 weeks. This can sometimes take longer depending on the demand at the time you make your application.

To renew your passport by this method, you need to place the completed and signed Form DS-82 along with your current passport, photos and payment in a padded envelope for two-way overnight delivery. Clearly write the word "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope to facilitate the process at the agency. Mail the envelope and its contents to the address below.

National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90955
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955

If you plan to travel in less than 2 weeks, you can apply for renewal at a regional passport agency. If you need to get an entry visa as well, you can apply at a regional agency within 28 days of your trip.

There are 15 passport agencies operating in the United States. You should plan to visit the agency that has jurisdiction over your state of residence. Next, schedule an appointment by calling 1-877-428-2778. Finally, go to the appointment with the completed application form, passport photos and payment for the appropriate passport fees.

If your appointment is early enough, you should get your passport the same day. If not, you will more than likely get it the following day.

If you can't get to the passport agency yourself, you can authorize a travel document expediter to complete the process for you. Expediters usually offer processing times between ten business days to as little as 24 hours. Fees vary greatly from as little as $39 to more than $350, depending on the company.

There are literally hundreds of expediters in the United States. Most are located in major cities where a regional passport agency exists. A large number of these companies have a presence on the internet. This allows you to contract their service online.

As with any service-oriented business, not all companies live up to their promises. Be sure to do your research. A personal recommendation from a someone you know is best. If no one you know has used such a service, you can check the BBB and consumer complaint websites such as Yelp.