When A Rush Passport Is Needed, Look No Further Than Online

by garrett on April 2, 2010

Last-minute travel deals abound on the Internet and they are frequently a great value. Travelers purchasing one to a destination abroad will need to obtain a rush passport if they are not already a passport holder. The standard and expedited processing times for passport will not put the passport book immediately in the traveler’s hands, so there are other avenues that must be explored.

Obtaining a rush passport is best accomplished by using an independent online processing company. These companies charge an additional fee in order to provide an applicant with a new passport within as little as 24 hours. They offer varying turnaround times and different companies charge different fees for this service, so do some Internet research prior to selecting a company.

Using one of these passport-processing services is relatively easy. The applicant will fill out the standard government passport application in addition to an order form and possibly a waiver form required by the company. These companies have all the required forms posted on their Web sites and they provide step-by-step instructions for completing the forms. They also have customer service staff able to answer any additional questions that may arise during the application process.

In addition to providing a completed passport application, the individual must provide documentation substantiating citizenship. A certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificates of citizenship are acceptable documents. The certified birth certificate is issued by the city, county, or state of birth, has a registrar’s seal and signature, and lists the date that the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office.

The applicant must also provide a document that proves identity. A naturalization certificate, valid driver’s license, current government identification (city, state, or federal), or current military identification will meet this requirement. If the applicant does not possess one of these forms of identification, there are secondary forms that are acceptable. These include a combination of signature documents such as a Social Security Card, credit card, employee ID, or a library card. As many of these documents should be provided as possible. An identifying witness may also complete an affidavit swearing to the applicant’s identity.

This documentation and the passport application should be packaged with the passport photos and sent to the processing company via overnight mail, in the case of rush processing. Send the package via UPS or FedEx so that it can be tracked in order to verify its safe arrival. Tracking provides peace of mind when sending items of such a confidential nature as this.

The rush processing for passport applications requires that two payments be made. The first payment is for the government passport application and execution fee. The second payment is for the additional rush processing charges, and that payment is made directly to the processing company. Different payment methods are acceptable but payment via cash is not permitted.

Take advantage of those last-minute travel deals abroad, but be sure to set aside some extra money to get a rush passport if necessary. With an online passport service, there will be no worry that the passport will not arrive prior to departure. The traveler will be free to focus on packing, finding a sitter for the dog, and arranging to get to the airport for the vacation of a lifetime.

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