US Passport Expediting Services – Application Process, Fees, And Wait Time Periods

A valid passport is required of all United States (US) citizens who want to travel outside of the country. US passports are issued by the US government; the applications can be submitted at US post offices. Application forms must be completed, and fees are required. One can expect to wait an average of six weeks to receive his or her passport after submitting the application, fees, and necessary verifications. For those who need them in a hurry, the government offers an expedited process which usually produces the document within two – three weeks, for an additional fee. For some, that’s simply not quick enough. Private passport expidite service can help applicants get their passports in as little as 24 hours.

First time adult applicants must complete Form DS-11. Adults applying for renewal must complete Form DS-82. Documentation of citizenship must be presented, and two identical photos are required.

Application fees are set by and paid to the US government. For first time adult applicants, the fee is $135. For adults applying to renew or replace, the fee is $110. The expedite fee, if the applicant wishes his or her application to be processed more quickly than the average, is $60. An additional overnight mailing fee is about $15.00, which would bring the grand total to $210 for a first-time expedited application, and $185 for the quicker renewal/replacement.

There are many private companies which can help people navigate the application process. A quick search of the internet provides pages of links to such companies. It can be useful to compare what they have to offer and their particular requirements.

The fee you can expect to pay for the fast delivery, in addition to the standard government processing fees, is likely to vary depending on how fast of a delivery you want. Many services offer a range, anywhere from 24 hours up to two weeks. Usually the longer you’re willing to wait, the less you have to pay. A rate of $200 for priority delivery within three to five days appears to be fairly standard.

There are other categories of services which these private companies provide. For example, they also assist in applications for children under 16, for people who have changed their names, and for those who merely need additional pages in their currently valid passport. The fees will usually vary with the service requested.

Ask around before settling on any one service. It’s alright to look for good deals. Word of mouth, references from friends and colleagues, can be helpful in finding a reputable and reliable company. Remember that you are giving very personal information to the people you are paying to help you through the process.

Finally, remember that if you are a US citizen planning a trip out of the US, you will be required to have a valid passport. You can apply at the post office, which handles applications on behalf of the federal government which has authority to issue passport expedite. You might also consider hiring a private company to assist you, particularly if you need to get your passport quickly. There are several passport expediting services to choose from.