How To Get Your Passport Expedited

If you need to get a new passport immediately, there are ways that you can expedite the process.  However, it will require a few extra steps and-you guessed it-a few extra dollars to accomplish.  You can expedite your passport renewal or application process whether you are mailing your passport forms in or turning them in at a local passport agency or passport acceptance facility.  To get your passport quickly, utilize the following steps:

1. Include an extra $60 with your passport forms and documents.  To get your passport within 2 weeks, you will be charged an extra $60 and you will be responsible for two-way overnight delivery fees.  If you are mailing in your passport forms you will have to include the appropriate forms and payments (whether you're renewing your passport or applying for a new passport) along with an additional $60 to the US Department of State.  If you're walking into a passport office in person, the passport facility should be able to instruct about how to include the expedited passport fee.

2. Overnight your passport forms to National Passport Processing.  If you are sending your passport application forms overnight, mail them to:

   National Passport Processing
   Attn: Department 13349
   1617 Brett Road
   New Castle, DE 19720

   Make sure to include a prepaid overnight return envelope for the passport office.

3. Write EXPIDITED on your envelope.  Make it apparent that you are requesting an expedited passport.  You don't want your envelope to be moved to the bottom of the pile because you haven't clearly marked your envelope.  Write "expedited" in big, bold letters on both the front and back of your envelope.

If you're sending your passport from a passport acceptance facility, make sure that they follow the steps above as well.  You should now get your passport in about 2 weeks instead of the standard 6-8 weeks.  If you have an emergency and need a passport immediately, you should call the National Passport Information Center.  

There are also services that can get you your passport in as little as 24 hours.  These services will likely charge you more than the additional $60 that the US Department of State charges, and their fees will likely be in addition to the government fees already discussed.  Passport services' fees will also vary based on how quickly you need your passport.  These services can be costly, but may be worth it if you urgently need your passport.