When it comes to traveling anywhere that requires exiting and re-entering the United States of America, proper documentation is always required. If you have travel plans that come up at the last minute, you will need to take advantage of expedited US passport service. There are many acceptable reasons that will allow you to obtain proper documentation to permit travel in a prompt fashion.
Application
Applying for travel documentation can take a long time if simply using the routine service. Processing times for new applications can take at least four to six weeks from the date that the agency receives an application. If travel plans come up in a shorter time span, you will benefit from utilizing the expedited service that is available to you.
Expedited Service
The processing times for the expedited service are much more timely than the routine service. The time for expedited processing is only about two to three weeks from the date that the agency receives the application. Using overnight delivery can help ensure that these processing times are as prompt as possible.
Travel Plans
Two to three weeks may be too long to wait for some people’s traveling plans. In order to receive a passport for travel within fourteen days, it is helpful to physically go into an agency office. Scheduling an appointment will ensure that you will be seen and taken care of as soon as is possible. The United States bureau of consular affairs official website is a good resource for finding an agency office near your location.
Wait Time
When it is not possible to wait a couple weeks for the application processing, there are other options available for those who qualify. A life or death emergency may occur that requires you to travel immediately. In the case that you need to travel, you will be able to receive assistance in getting a passport very quickly.
Emergency
Concerning life or death emergencies, applicants must visit their passport agency’s office and complete an emergency application. This extremely expedited passport will allow the individual to travel within twenty four to forty eight hours of the application, which will begin to be processed immediately. Due to changes in national security, you may be required to provide documentation proving that there is an emergency occurring overseas that requires your presence.
Cost
Receiving expedited processing times comes at a cost. On top of the standard application fees, there are additional costs to be considered with speeding up your application. There is an additional sixty dollars per application required in order to process more quickly. The bureau requests that applicants purchase two-way overnight delivery so that the mail service will not slow down the application period. Planning ahead can help ease some of these costs,so try to apply early if possible.
Using the expedited US passport service is the only way to obtain a passport quickly so that you can travel without having to wait for standard processing times. With the right documentation, you will be able to travel to many places around the world. Because logistics will not be interrupted by the need to wait for your passport, you can be sure that your trip will avoid unnecessary stress, you could also look into the expedited passport card.


