A US passport is good for 10 years-long enough to give many of us a false sense of security. By the time you realize it’s expired, you might not have enough time to wait 6 weeks, the government’s standard processing time, for your passport to arrive in the mail. Fortunately, it is possible to get an expedited passport renewal. Here’s how:
Step 1: Determine if you can renew by mail.
In most cases, you can renew your US passport by mail. However, you will need to apply in person , just as if you were applying for a new passport, if any of the following apply:
Your passport was lost, stolen or has been damaged.
You were under the age of 16 when it was issued.
It was issued more than 15 years ago.
Your name has changed and you don’t have legal documents to support the name change
Step 2: Determine whether you want to use the government’s expedited service, make an appointment at a passport office or use a private expediting company.
The government’s expedited passport renewal service costs an additional , plus the costs of overnight delivery to and from the passport office. If you choose this option, it could still take up to 3 weeks for your passport to be delivered.
If you are traveling in the next two weeks and have a confirmed travel itinerary, you can make an appointment at the nearest Passport Agency office to have a same-day passport issued. You are also eligible to make an appointment at a Passport Agency office if you are traveling within the next 4 weeks and need a foreign visa.
However, visiting a passport office can be inconvenient for some people. There are also private passport expediting services that will take your documents to the passport office for you for a price.
Step 3: Assemble and submit your passport renewal paperwork.
Once you’ve decided which passport renewal method to use, you simply need to assemble the necessary documents and submit them.
Alison Kroulek is a freelance writer and blogger with a focus on the travel industry.
Article from articlesbase.com
Related posts:
- US Passport Renewal Options
- Expedited Passport Forms
- Expedited Passport Fees
- Expedited Passport Fees for Children
- Family Emergency Overseas? How to Get an Expedited Passport Quickly!
