An Essential Guide To Passport Renewal Expedited Service

by garrett on September 13, 2011

When international travel is approaching, every traveler dreads pulling out their passports and finding them expired. Fortunately, the US Department of State has several procedures in place for rushing applications dependent on the date of travel. To obtain passport renewal expedited service, travelers should select renewal by mail or in-person, complete their application form and submit all materials, including the old passport and rush payment, to the closest agency.

DS-82 Form

Mail renewal is the right option for most situations. Travelers may check the State Department’s website, to find the estimated fulfillment times for rushed passports. Also, travelers may check the progress of their application packet on the State Department website. In addition, travelers will find the current rush delivery fee, and Form DS-82, “Passport by Mail, ” online.

By Mail

Applicants may not renew by mail in some situations. If passports were issued more than fifteen years ago or are damaged, renewal must take place in person. Also, if current passports do not show the applicant’s current name and the applicant cannot verify a legal name change, renewal must take place in person. Additionally, if the applicant was younger than sixteen years old when the original document was obtained, the renewal must take place in person.

Fees

To renew by mail, applicants should fill out Form DS-82. Then, after obtaining the amount of the rush fee, applicants should contact the nearest agency,obtain an address and ask about methods of payment. Into a manila envelope, applicants should place their Form DS-82, their old passport and their rush payment without folding the documents. The word “expedited” must be written on the envelope’s exterior and the State Department recommends sending application materials via two-way overnight courier service.

Faster Service

If the applicant’s travel date is fewer than two weeks away, applicants must renew in person. To set up an appointment with a close-by agency, applicants should call the agency’s automated telephone system. When the process is complete, travelers will have a confirmation number, an appointment time and an address. Applicants will be required to possess all application materials plus the rush fee and an itinerary or e-ticket confirming their departure date.

Five Days Or Less

By law, the State Department has to comply with an expediting time frame. All expedited passports must enter the system at least five days after receipt at the agency or five days after confirmation of the processing request. Application status may be tracked online after about five to seven days.

Private Agencies

Applicants will save a great deal of time by consulting a private expediter. Although expediters do charge a service fee in addition to the rush charge,applicants will not have to go through the hassle of dealing with paperwork or going to an agency. Applicants should take some precautions before paying an expediter including verifying the telephone number, asking for a complete accounting of fees and consulting online reviews.

Travelers who discover their passports have expired just days before travel may find themselves panicking. However, whether renewing by mail or in-person, travelers have options for getting their passports quickly. For those who need to delegate the process, a passport renewal expedited service is available.

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