| If you need to get a passport quickly, you can | | | | reason or for no particular reason at all. It is a |
| apply for an expedited passport. This service is an | | | | service that is available to anyone and for all |
| option no matter what type of passport you | | | | types of passports: renewals, first time, for a |
| need. You will need to pay an extra $60 beyond | | | | name change or for a child. Bear in mind that if |
| the fees that are associated with the particular | | | | you send multiple passport applications together, |
| type of passport you are applying for. | | | | the passports themselves may be sent back |
| In some cases, it is specifically recommended that | | | | separately. Any personal documents that need to |
| you send your application in as expedited. This is | | | | be returned may also be sent separately. |
| the case if your travel plans are in fewer than a | | | | If a life or death emergency situation requiring a |
| couple of weeks. Also, if you will need a passport | | | | passport in less time than this, do not use the |
| within a month for securing a foreign visa, it is | | | | expedited service for your passport. Rather, you |
| also recommended. | | | | will have to call the passport agency to request |
| Passports generally take around four to six | | | | an emergency service appointment. When you go |
| weeks for processing. However, when the office | | | | to the agency, you might be asked for proof of |
| is really busy, it can take as many as ten weeks. | | | | why you need your passport immediately. |
| If you need your passport any time prior to that, | | | | You will normally receive your expedited passport |
| you might want to think about requesting the | | | | within 2 or 3 weeks. For this reason, it is always a |
| expedited service to be on the safe side. | | | | good idea to always have a passport that is valid. |
| If you are requesting this service, it is also | | | | If you want to travel in fewer than two weeks |
| recommended that your application be sent using | | | | for something other than an emergency, you |
| an overnight delivery service and to have it | | | | might have to cancel your vacation. |
| returned to you that way. If you choose to send | | | | Keep in mind that, if your name has been |
| it via mail, make sure you write EXPEDITE on the | | | | changed such as because of marriage, you will |
| envelope. It is best to send it so that it can be | | | | require a new passport reflecting that change. |
| traced as well. However you send in your | | | | This is important to think about if you are planning |
| passport application, make sure it is packaged | | | | an international honeymoon. It may be best not |
| securely to keep it from being damaged. | | | | to initiate any paperwork regarding the name |
| You can have your passport expedited for any | | | | change until you are back in the United States. |