For anyone that is trying to leave the United States by land, sea, or air for a vacation, a valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card is required. You can’t get anywhere else without a passport. If you don’t have one yet, then you will need to get one. Unfortunately, the average wait time for processing these applications is 4 to 6 weeks. However, you can get a passport quickly through various means, so here are some tips for getting yours faster!
1. Schedule an appointment with a passport agency.
If your trip is less than two weeks away, then you can schedule an appointment with your nearest passport agency. There are 24 such agencies around the country, so you should live near at least one of them. Luckily, these locations can get you a passport card that day or a passport within a few days. The same expedited fees apply though, so this option isn’t cheap. Without a doubt, it’s quicker than going through the Postal Service!
Passport Day is an annual event held at locations that accept passport applications, including the post office. On this day, you will be able to head to your local post office and apply for passport or passport card without an appointment. Applications are processed and sent to the appropriate agency the next day. Sure, this is an option that’s only convenient if you aren’t traveling too soon, but it’s a great way to get your passport anyway.
3. Fill out the application without mistakes and obtain perfect photos.
One of the biggest problems that can delay your passport’s processing and arrival is mistakes on the application. You need to fill out the application without making a single mistake. Also, that includes the passport photos, which must meet the guidelines set forth by the Department of State. Making a single mistake could delay your passport by a week or more, so you can’t afford to mess up on anything.
4. Consider using a passport service for the fastest turnaround.
Multiple passport services are out there that can get your passport needs taken care of within days. In fact, some companies can do overnight passports, but you will have to pay a couple hundred dollars at the least. Still, these businesses are a smart choice for someone that really needs their passport or card as soon as possible. You will have to spend some money though. Nothing is much quicker than these services.
5. Take care of things ahead of time.
In the end, the best way to get your passport quickly is to simply do it long before you need the passport to leave the country. You might not receive the passport as quickly as possible, but you won’t have to deal with the hassle or worry of having to wait. For most people, taking care of things at the last minute is the norm and worst possible option. Save yourself some time plus some stress by getting your passport ahead of time.
Sometimes, 4-6 weeks isn’t soon enough!
You can’t really wait that long if your vacation is a week or two away, so you will need to do something to get your passport quicker. In most cases, you can get your passport or card within a few days if you are willing to spend the money. Still, it’s more common for expedited passports to arrive within one to three weeks. You shouldn’t wait till the last minute to get one, but you do have some options if that ends up being the case.
