How to Get my U.S. Passport Fast (2024)

We offer four types of service:
- *Life-or-Death Emergency
- *Urgent Travel
- Expedited
- Routine
Consider the total time it will take to get a passport, including mailing times, when booking your international travel.
*Restrictions apply for Life-or-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service. You must also have an appointment for these services.
Use our Form Filler tool to fill out your form online. Print the form at home to save time and reduce errors caused by handwriting.
Expand the options below to learn more about the four types of service we offer.

Travel in Less Than 3 Days Emergency

Travel in Less Than 2-3 Weeks Urgent

Travel in Less Than 8 Weeks Expedited

Contacting Us If You Have Urgent Travel

We encourage customers who have already applied tocheck their application status onlineand sign up for updates via email. How our contact center can help you depends on your travel date, and if you have applied or not yet applied...

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I'm traveling in 5 days or less.	I'm traveling in 6-14 days.	I'm traveling in more than 14 days.
Call 1-877-487-2778. You must have an appointment to go in person to a passport agency or center. Appointments are limited and we cannot guarantee that one will be available.	Call 1-877-487-2778. We will notify the agency processing your application of your date of travel. Processing times for routine applications are 6-8 weeks, and expedited applications are 2-3 weeks.	Do not call unless you are changing your mailing address, upgrading to expedited service, or requesting 1-2 day delivery of your completed passport. We are working around the clock to issue your passport. Subscribe to email updates about your application status.

I'm traveling in 14 days or less.	I'm traveling in more than 14 days.
Make an appointment online to go to apassport agency or center. Appointments are limited and we cannot guarantee one will be available.	Make an appointment online if you need a foreign visa within the next 28 days. Appointments are limited and we cannot guarantee one will be available.

Representatives are available Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. We are closed on federal holidays.
Our primary number is 1-877-487-2778.
Se habla español.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call 1-888-874-7793 for TDD/TTY teletype services.
Contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate if you are applying outside the United States.

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Traveling in Less Than 2-3 Weeks

Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency or Center

We have two types of appointments:Life-or-Death Emergency ServiceandUrgent Travel Service.

You cannot walk in without an appointment.
We do not charge a fee to make an appointment.
You cannot transfer your appointment to another customer.

Life-or-Death Emergency Service: We are prioritizing customers who are traveling internationally in the next 3 business days due to a qualifiedlife-or-death emergency. Learn more on ourLife-or-Death Emergency page.

Urgent Travel Service: If you have not yet applied, make an appointment online. Your appointment must be scheduled within 14 calendar days of your international travel date.

If you have already applied, call 1-877-487-2778. Your appointment must be scheduled within 5 calendar days of your international travel date.

Appointments are limited and we cannot guarantee one will be available.

Traveling in Less Than 8 Weeks

Expedite a First-Time Application or a Child's Application

Use our Form Filler to fill outForm DS-11and apply in person at an acceptance facility.

Here's how you expedite at an acceptance facility:

Fill out your DS-11 application and collect your documents. SeeHow to Applyfor more information.
Be sure to include the $60 expedite fee in addition to the normal application fee.SeePassportFeesfor more information.
Find anacceptance facilitynear you to submit your application and fees. Some facilities may require appointments.
Purchase USPS' Priority Mail Express for faster shipping of your application to us.
The expedite fee does not include the optional 1-2 day delivery fee of your completed passport.

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Expedite a Renewal or Name Change by Mail

Here's how to expedite the application by mail:

Use our Form Filler tool, and follow the instructions for completingForm DS-82if you are renewing, or Form DS-5504 if you are changing your name within one year of a passport being issued.
Collect your supporting documents.
Be sure to include the $60 expedite fee in addition to the normal application fee. SeePassportFeesfor more information.
Clearly mark "EXPEDITE" on the outside of theenvelope.
The expedite fee does not include the optional 1-2 day delivery fee.
Purchase USPS' Priority Mail Express for faster shipping of your application to us.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I pay for faster delivery and return shipping?

Yes. You may choose one or both of the following shipment options:

Delivery to us: Purchase Priority MailExpress from the United States Postal Servicefor faster shipping of your application to us. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
Return to you: Pay $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport1-2 days after we send it. Include the fee with your passport fee in your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State for fastest return shipping. Do not submit a return envelope to us with postage pre-paid.

Youmay receive your passport and the supporting documents submitted with your application in separate mailings. If you are renewing a passport card, we will send it to you viaFirst Class Mail. We do not use 1-2 day delivery services if you only applied for a passport card.

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I need my passport sooner than I thought. What should I do?

You can upgrade your application from routine processing to expedited processing for an additional $60.You may also choose to add a 1-2 delivery service of your completed passport book for an additional $19.53. One-to-two day delivery is not available for passport cards. We only send cards via First Class Mail.

If you applied in person or renewed by mail, call the National Passport Information Center at1-877-487-2778(1-888-874-7793TDD/TTY) and ask to upgrade your application service type. You’ll need either your application number or your last name and date of birth. The National Passport Information Center will email you additional information about how to upgrade your application to expedited service or 1-2 day delivery.

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What are passport expeditors and courier companies?

Passport expeditors and couriers are private companies that are not part of the U.S. Department of State. Some of these companies are registered at our passport agencies, and are allowed to submit expedited passport applications on behalf of customers.

These companies may charge several hundred dollars in additional fees for expediting services, or charge for services that we offer for free such as making an appointment and filling out a form.

To learn more about these companies, visit ourPassport Expeditor and Courier page.

Last Updated: December 18, 2023

As an expert in passport services and travel documentation, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you navigate the intricacies of obtaining a passport efficiently. I have closely examined the information provided in the article, and I will break down the key concepts and services offered by the U.S. Department of State.

Types of Passport Services: The U.S. Department of State offers four types of passport services:
- Life-or-Death Emergency: Prioritized for customers traveling internationally in the next 3 business days due to a qualified life-or-death emergency.
- Urgent Travel: Applicable if you are traveling in less than 14 calendar days from the date of your international travel.
- Expedited: For travel in less than 8 weeks.
- Routine: For travel in 8 weeks or more.
Contacting the Passport Agency:
- Customers are encouraged to check their application status online and sign up for updates via email.
- Specific instructions are provided based on the urgency of travel and whether the application has been submitted or not.
Making Appointments:
- Appointments are crucial for in-person visits to passport agencies or centers.
- Two types of appointments are available: Life-or-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.
- Appointments must be scheduled within specific time frames based on travel urgency.
Expedited Application Processes:
- Expedited processing is available for both first-time applications and renewals.
- A Form Filler tool is recommended to fill out the necessary forms online.
- Expedite fees, in addition to normal application fees, apply for faster processing.
Mail Application Expedite Process:
- Expedited application by mail is available for renewal or name change.
- Customers must clearly mark "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope.
- Similar expedite fees and optional 1-2 day delivery fees apply.
Delivery Options:
- Faster delivery options are available for sending the application and receiving the passport.
- Priority Mail Express can be used for faster shipping to the passport agency.
- An additional fee enables 1-2 day delivery for the completed passport.
Upgrading Application:
- Customers can upgrade from routine to expedited processing for an additional fee.
- Options for 1-2 day delivery service are available for passport books (not applicable to passport cards).
Passport Expeditors and Courier Companies:
- These are private companies not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State.
- Some may charge additional fees for services provided by the Department of State for free.
- Information about these companies is available on the Passport Expeditor and Courier page.

This breakdown should provide a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts and services outlined in the article. If you have specific questions or need further clarification on any aspect of passport services, feel free to ask.