Life is what happens when one is making other plans and sometimes these plans require an unexpected trip abroad. Those who travel often generally have a valid up-to-date passport and for them, this is not a problem. However, for others without a passport, it may not feasible to wait the common processing time of four to six weeks. Here are the steps that are involved in receiving an expedited passport application as a U.S. citizen.
First it is helpful to realize that the Department of State processes this paperwork each and every day and it is necessary to take one’s place in line so to speak. In the fiscal year 2009, nearly 13.5 million passports were completed. What is considered fast in government documentation is not necessarily the same as the overnight delivery options that are available when it comes to online shopping. Currently a rush document from the Department of State takes two to three weeks to receive.
The two to three week period is considered door-to-door, meaning that it accounts for time in the mail in each direction. There are some ways to short-cut this a bit, such as taking the document directly to a designated passport center, generally the local post office. In some cases, persons apply for a passport in the traditional manner but then request expedition due to a change in travel plans. In this case, it will take about five to seven days to track online the document’s process after asking for a rush on it.
The whole system is powered by fees, fees and more fees. A regular passport will cost $75 and $25 added for the standard processing. If a passport card is added, tack on another $20 to the order. The government offers a small break in the pricing for minors, but all processing fees remain the same. Renewals services are slightly less expensive.
When rush expedited pass port services are requested, there is yet another fee of $60 added to the kitty. Because these documents are mailed out, it is generally recommended that overnight mail be used. This is suggested because of the guaranteed delivery date and ability to track the package. This is piece of mind for a very small investment.
The overnight delivery will cost about $15 in addition to all of the other fees that are being charged. While some people may be rolling their eyes at this point as the costs continue to add up, this is a fee that is money well spent. The documents will be secure and able to be tracked this way and considering how important they are, $15 is nothing compared to the aggravation that would ensue if they were lost.
If expedited service is requested, the form that has to be filled out is the DS-82. This is in addition to the regular forms and does not replace the standard application. When mailing in the forms and documents, be sure to write “expedite” very large and clear on the outside of the envelope. The agents are trained to look for this and will make sure that the envelope is rushed through processing.
Some expedited new passport services may cost a few extra bucks, but it does make the process go much quicker. Instead of waiting for god only knows how long, the passport should be in hand in just a few weeks. The passport can actually be had in as little as 24 hours, but it will cost a pretty penny in order to make that happen. When you just can’t wait or are in an emergency situation, these services are in place to get the passport in hand in no time at all.
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