Sep 30 2010
Your Options For Acquiring An Expedited US Passport
If you are new to traveling abroad, you might not know what travel documents are required for your destination. It is important that this be one of the first things you learn as you plan your trip. If the trip is sudden, or there is limited time for planning, you might find that you need to obtain an expedited new U.S. passport.
As a new applicant for a passport, you need to understand the basics of what is required in order to make the application process as pain free as possible. There is an official application that must be completed and submitted with specific supporting documents to the official governmental agency that issues travel documents. With your application you must also provide some form of identification proving you are the applicant, along with a copy of that piece of identification that will stay with the agency. In addition, you must have a document proving your citizenship that is also submitted, along with the required color photographs that meet agency specifications. You must also pay a fee with the application.
There are at least two ways to speed up the process of passport application. When applying through the standard issuing agency, youll have the option to request faster service, for a fee. This allows that application to move to the front of the line for processing purposes. Another option is to utilize the services of a private company to assist in seeing the paperwork through to the end.
When applying to the passport agency for the first time, it is a requirement that the traveler personally appear. Under normal conditions this can take place at a passport agency office, or at what is called an Acceptance Facility, often located at a post office or a local governmental agency. When there is a need to have the passport within a shorter than normal period of time, the individual must make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency and present all the required paperwork and pasport application form at the designated time. In this situation, an extra fee is assessed for the streamlined process.
If having an advocate to assist with the application process is more appealing, then using the services of one of the several private companies that specialize in this type of work might be the right approach. What must be submitted as far as the application, identification, proof of citizenship, and photos does not change in this situation. What is different is that the company will take everything prepared by the individual traveler and move it through the necessary steps in a shorter amount of time. It should be emphasized that employing a private company to assist in this process, the traveler must still appear at an Acceptance Facility to begin the application.
The more urgent the need for the passport, the higher the fee paid to the company. Some of these companies advertise that you can expect to receive your passport in 24 hours or up to two weeks. If time is of the essence, this might be the quickest option for your circumstance.
If you have determined that a private company can best meet your needs, then selecting the right one is the next step. Since time is in short supply, it is important to evaluate the history and reputation of the company to ensure that it is the best one for your circumstance. Another factor might be the cost of using the company, as fees do vary from one to the next. There is generally a range of fees that are dependent on your time frame. The less time you have the higher the fee.
If the trip of a lifetime comes up with short notice, dont let the lack of a passport inhibit you from traveling. Obtaining an expedited new pass port is fairly routine in the world of today. You can choose to do everything yourself through the issuing agency, or opt to pay more and let a specialized company do the legwork for you. Either way, you will get your passport and be ready to enjoy the trip.
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