A Guide To Getting A 24 Hour American Passport

by adam on February 23, 2010

Typically speaking, acquiring a passport is a time consuming process. First time applicants are generally advised to give themselves around two months to get a passport. Expedited passports are available at an additional fee, but even a rush passport can take several weeks to process. Many people do not know this, but it is possible to get a 24 hour pasport in dire circumstances.

First, it is important to discuss when it is appropriate to try to obtain a passport in 24 hours, and also, whether or not it is practically possible. While it is theoretically possible to obtain a passport in 24 hours, there are a lot of variables that make this feat exceedingly difficult. Again, this type of request should be limited to extremely dire circumstances.

The U.S. Department of State specifies that a 24 hour passport should only be given to someone who has suffered a death, serious injury, or serious illness overseas to someone in their immediate family. In the case of injury or illness, the family member must be hospitalized. In the event of such an emergency, applicants are encouraged to call the State Department Passport hotline.

Many external agencies promise to help customers obtain passports as quickly as possible. While these agencies are often very helpful, it is quite difficult to make any promises regarding passports. Getting a passport in one day is difficult for a variety of reasons.

If it is only a passport renewal that is needed, the process can go a bit smoother than someone who is looking to get a new passport. Because the bulk of the set up work has already been done, the renewal process does not take nearly as much effort. In fact, many times the renewal process can be handled online and through the mail with no need to actually walk into a passport office.

New passport applicants face a much more challenging road than passport renewal applicants. Because everything has to be done in person, it can make the while process a bit more difficult.

Something else to consider is that it is always best to make sure that an appointment has been made or that the applicant is the first person in line when the office opens. If they allow appointments, get one because it will guarantee the place in line. It is never good to just hope to show up and get right in. We all know how government waiting rooms can be.

While trying to get a passport can be challenging, the task can be completed. Now having said that, this is something that nobody should ever have to go through because of the cost and time commitment, not to mentions stress. Play it safe and get a pasport because anything can happen at any time and you just never know when an international trip is on the horizon.

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