Finalizing A Fast Pasport Application
There is a growing demand for fast US passport application processing due to last-minute bargain vacations, foreign business trips and family emergencies. The US Department of State can take six weeks or longer to process applications. If you plan to travel in the near future and need a passport fast, you have three options.
Expedited Service
If you have at least three weeks before your departure date, you can take advantage of the department’s expedited mail service for obtaining or renewing passports. You will have to pay an extra fee as well as two-way overnight delivery charges. Expedited applications are usually processed within ten days, although a number of factors can result in delays.
Passport Agencies
If your departure date is within fourteen days, you can phone the nearest regional passport agency to schedule an appointment. To get expedited service in person, you will need to show documents proving that you need to leave the country within two weeks. You will also have to pay the extra charge for expedited processing.
Private Companies
If you have to leave the country at very short notice, you can enlist the help of a private company that specializes in expediting passports. These businesses charge substantial fees for service and shipping on top of government processing costs. However, they can usually ensure that passports are delivered in as little as two working days.
Required Documents
No method of fast passport application processing can be successful without the required documents. Along with regulation-size passport photos, you will need to submit proof of US citizenship and proof of identity. In most cases this will take the form of a driver’s license and birth certificate. If any documents are invalid, processing will be delayed.
Preparation
Extra preparation is necessary if your case is being handled by a private expediting business. You will need to sign a letter of authorization, giving the company permission to act on your behalf. You will also have to bring your application and all required documents to a designated processing center. A State Department Acceptance Agent will ensure that everything is in order before it is sent on the expediter.
Website
The government’s travel website is a useful resource for government information on applying for passports. It details the documents that will be accepted in support of applications. Professional expediting businesses guide their customers through the steps necessary to obtain passports. They provide complete instructions for completing applications and assistance is available over the phone.
Tracking
The government has an online facility for tracking the progress of child US pasport. However, it can take several days for information on the status of applications to be displayed. Professional expediters provide their customers with frequent updates by phone or email. Their representatives are always available to respond to customer queries.
