What to know about getting a priority American passport will involve a realization that it is, indeed, imminently possible to do so, though a bit of legwork – and the expenditure of money – will be necessary. In the first place, almost everyone who needs a passport issued on priority chooses to work with an expediting service. However, the US government also can assist in this matter.
It’s not exactly the easiest thing in the world to get a passport issued quickly, but it isn’t the most difficult either. Usually, to do so one will need to apply for the document through one of the 14 different regional centers that have been set up. Doing so, for just expedited processing, may take 2 to 3 weeks. Expect to pay additional fees for this service as well.
People who need passports issued on a priority basis (meaning, within one or two days) are also advised to work either with an express processing company or to travel directly to one of those centers. If a trip to a regional center is going to be undertaken, remember to follow the steps outlined by the government as closely as possible. This can ensure that all goes well on the big day.
Outside of the use of an expediter, the first thing to do is to access the State Department’s passport website. It’s not really all that complicated to get a passport in a rush, which is fortunate, but remember that there are several steps involved. By following the proper steps, one can have a passport not only issued quickly but also with a minimum of fuss.
The first thing to remember is that nothing that has to do with passports and the US government can be done without an appointment. There’s a toll-free number that can be found at the State Department passport section website. Making an appointment for passports to be issued on a priority basis will usually mean making an appointment at one of those regional centers, by the way.
When it comes to those regional centers, understand that there are many of them located around the country. Usually, the largest cities on each coast (including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle as well as Boston, New York City and Miami) host these centers. There are three in the Midwest, including a large one in Chicago, Illinois. Make an early-morning appointment. Processing could take more than five hours.
Also, remember that anything that’s going to be produced in a hurry is going to require the payment of much higher fees. Right now, expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $300, just in fees paid to the government, to get a passport issued extremely quickly. If any research on identity and citizenship has to be done at the center, it’s going to cost another $60 to do so.
So, keep in mind that it’s important to make an appointment and to show up with a number of documents as well as passport photographs. In order to obtain a priority U.S. passport, having the right documents – including proof of identity and citizenship – can make a big difference. As well, expect to pay between $220 and $300 to get the U.S. passports issued extremely quickly.
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