If you are traveling within 14 days, make an appointment with a US passport agency. Contact the National Passport Information Center by phone or email for emergency travel within one week. At appointments, first-time passport applicants must show proof of US citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and a form of identification with a picture. Also, they must provide a full written itinerary or plane tickets that can prove their travel plans. Make photocopies that show both sides of anything to be submitted. The form DS-11 must be complete, except for the signature. Do not sign any part of the form until an agent instructs you to do so. Renewals will need the DS-82 form instead of the DS-11. Travelers who can wait a month or more might consider mailing their application. Use a traceable mail service that will be able to keep up with the location of your documents and make sure to write the word "expedite" clearly on the front of the envelope.
Minors under 16 years of age also have the option of applying for an expedited passport. As with adult applications, an appointment is necessary for travel within 14 days. Proof of US citizenship and a DS-11 form must be submitted. Parents or guardians have to present their identification with photocopies showing both the back and front of each ID.
Extra costs accompany requests for expediting passports. You must pay these fees regardless of whether you are submitting a first-time application or a renewal. The extra fee for rushing your application is in addition to original fees. Execution fees still apply to first-time applications.
Some companies offer to expedite your passport in 24 hours or less for an exorbitant fee. The government does not charge extra fees to make an appointment at a passport agency, nor is it necessary to pay anyone to do this for you. If you decide to use this option, check with the Better Business Bureau or other consumer agencies about the company's record. Also, ask others who chose this method about which business they used and their results.
