How to Expedite Your U.S. Passport

You can requested expedited service for any type of passport application - new, renewal, replacement, name change, additional visa pages.

To expedite a new passport, you need to take a completed but unsigned Application for Passport (Form DS-11), proof of identity, photocopy of identification document, proof of citizenship, passport photos, fees and social security card to the nearest passport acceptance facility.

Passport renewals, name change and additional visa pages can be requested by mail if you meet certain criteria. If you mail in your application, you should write "Expedited" very clearly on the envelope.

Expediting your passport through an acceptance facility or by mail takes two to three weeks or more. If you need to obtain a passport in less than two weeks, there are a couple of option. One, you can schedule an appointment at one of regional passport agencies.

Two, you can request the assistance of a qualified passport and visa expediter. Due to a special relationship with passport agencies, expediters can hand-deliver your passport application and pick up your passport in as little as 24 hours.

Passport expediter's fees vary widely. One factor that determines the amount you will pay is the return time. The faster you need to receive your passport, the more you will pay. The fee paid to the expediting service is above and beyond the fees paid to the U.S. Department of State Passport Services.

You need to be very careful when choosing an expediter. If you are facing an emergency situation, you can't take the risk of having your passport returned late. Unfortunately, there are a lot of expediting companies that don't live up to their claims.

If you do find yourself in a situation in which you absolutely must expedite your passport, the best thing you can do is to compare passport expediting services. You can do this online. It really doesn't take much time and it could save you a lot of headaches.

There are hundreds of passport and visa expediters ranging from one-person operations to large, multi-location companies. After careful evaluation of more than 40 expediting services, our recommendation goes to the following service provider.

Its Easy Passport has more than 30 years of experience expediting passports and travel visas for American citizens. They offer quick, quality service of all your passport processing needs. They can even pick up emergency passport applications and return processed passports by commercial airlines. The company provides real time online status check, online chat and the industries only true 24/7 call center. They have offices in several large cities where passport processing centers and major international airports are located. It is hard to find a any company with the record that It's Easy has. The BBB has had no registered complaints against them. You can count on It's Easy to get your passport expedited fast.

Click Here to Visit It's Easy Passport

When you have little time to obtain your passport, there is no room for errors. Expediters make sure you get your travel document quickly. Another advantage is the personal assistance you can receive from trained professioals. Any questions you have or problems you face during the application process can be dealt with quickly and efficiently through an expediter.

Here are some tips gained from years of working with expediting services.

Get your new passport application adjudicated.

Before you mail your application for a new passport to an expediter, you have to take it to an acceptance facility where an authorized agent will witness the signing of the application.

Send an Authorization Form.

No passport expediting company can present your passport application to the State Department without your written authorization. You can get this form from the passport expediter you choose to use Print the authorization form, fill it out and sign it.

Send your itinerary.

If you purchased your ticket online (e-ticket), you can print either the confirmation message in your browser screen or the email confirmation and send that. If you go through a travel agency, ask your travel agent to print off a copy for you. If no printed itinerary is available, you can personally type one and print it off.

Double check your documents

Make sure you have included all the required documents and that they are according to the standards determined by the Department of State. Photos have to be recent, identical, 2x2" in size, with a white or off-white background, etc. Copies of IDs have to be on plain white paper that is 8 1/2 x 11" with images on one side only.

Include the payment to the Department of State

Surprisingly, a number of applicants forget to include the payment for the application fee in their packet. Don't let this happen to you.

Passport covers and wallets are great for protecting your passport from damage. Wallets also offer the added advantage of having your travel documents all on one place. Here is a few I liked.

Cashmere Passport Cover


The Cashmere Collection is the heart of Osgoode Marley. This collection has no rival for styling, craftsmanship and touch. You will feel the difference.


Cashmere Passport Cover

Rainbow Travel Pouch w/ matching Passport Cover


This 9.25" x 5" travel pouch has a matching passport cover included. Zippered pocket and card case pocket inside and outside back pocket.


Rainbow Travel Pouch w/ matching Passport Cover

RFID Shielding Passport Wallet


This beautiful Italian leather passport wallet, in the stylish printed Crocodile pattern, features the exclusive DataSafe%u2122 Technology. This patent-pending technology uses multiple layers of radio-frequency (RF) shielding material to protect your personal information which is stored in the new ePassports, and the new 'contactless credit cards', from the threat of wireless identity theft. This stunning and classic design has a total of ten pockets/slots and each one of these is lined with our DataSafe material!


RFID Shielding Passport Wallet

DataSafe® Italian Leather Travel & Passport Wallet


This beautiful Italian leather Travel & Passport Wallet features the exclusive DataSafe%u2122 Technology. This stunning and classic design will hold all your travel documents, your passport, credit and travel cards, currency, and tickets. This wallet has a total of twenty pockets/slots and each one of these is lined with our DataSafe material! Inside you have multiple pockets for currency, receipts, etc. along with a zippered pocket for coins. On the rear panel you have two EZ-Access pockets for boarding passes and/or your passport. This is a stylish wallet that you will cherish for years and one that will protect your personal information at the same time!


DataSafe® Italian Leather Travel & Passport Wallet

Passport Travel Wallet


This is fun and functional two tone top grain nappa leather wallet you will not want to leave at home. It is a great traveling piece but serves very well if you just want to go out shopping.


Passport Travel Wallet