Expedited Pasport Renewal Can Save Vacation From Problems

There are a lot of different things that can go wrong with travel. The potential for disaster seems to double with international travel. Passport issues are just one of many potential problems that can afflict international travelers. This article, perfect for the forgetful traveler, will cover expedited USA passport renewal.

Remember the story of the friend that got to the gate and realized that their passport had expired? Everyone knows someone that this has happened to or is the person that actually has done this. The horror of realizing that the entire trip is in jeopardy is a sickening feeling, especially if there are other people that are traveling.

This is a perfect example of a situation that warrants expedited passport renewal. Passports are only valid for ten years. After ten years, a passport must be renewed. Just like new passport applications, renewal applications may be expedited at an additional fee.

Unlike a first time passport application, a renewal application may be completed by mail. To renew a passport, the applicant must acquire and fill-out form DS-82. The DS-82 form will have detailed, step-by-step, instructions for the passport renewal process. The applicant must mail his or her old passport, and any relevant ID’s or forms, along with the DS-82 for processing. Write “expedited” on the envelope for all expedited passport renewals.

Due to the nature of the contents in this package, the US department of State recommends that applicants mail all documents in a secure package with some sort of security tracking system. The State Department recommends using a Tyvek envelope. Secure Tyvek packaging will keep the envelopes’ contents safe. A damaged or lost application could result in a nullified application, which would severely set back the application timeline. In expedited application scenarios, a damaged or lost application could be devastating.

When standard processing is chosen, the delivery time for the renewed passport is about 6 weeks. If this is not quick enough, expedited service can be ordered for an additional $60. It may sound like a lot, but the alternative is to risk not making the trip at all. That can cost thousands in unreturned payments if the trip was prepaid and insurance was not purchased.

The current turnaround time for an expedited passport is about three weeks. This can fluctuate with travel schedules. If a popular overseas travel time is coming up, it is very likely that more people are using this service and the passport may not come back in the three week span. However, there are other services that can be utilized to get it back even quicker.

There are so many things that can go wrong on a trip; it is a shame to add one more, like having an expired passport, that is our own fault. The glory of this mistake is that it is still very fixable, even up to the very last moment. Using expedited pasport renewal can literally turn that frown upside down and allow everyone to enjoy their trip as planned.