Emergency Passport - Do You Need One Fast?
For most people, going through the four to six week routine passport application process is normally a reasonable waiting period. This is often the case for people who need passports but do not need to travel within the six week processing time. However, there are times when you need to get a passport quickly. And that's where you'll either need to have your application expedited or apply for an emergency passport.
Let's start with the application for an expedited passport. For those who cannot wait for the four to six week waiting period in routine passport processing, you can take advantage of the expedited processing option. This is ideal for those who need to travel sooner than four weeks and thus need to have a quick way of having their passports processed.
Unlike routine passport applications, the expedited passport option usually takes around two to three weeks to process. But sometimes, routine passport applications may take more than just six weeks. Because of this, the US Department of State recommends the expedited passport to those who need to travel to another country within ten weeks.
Now who needs to have their passport application expedited? You need an expedited passport in cases where you need to go to a country that requires a US passport in less than two weeks. Aside from that, you would also need to have your application expedited if you need the passport in less than four weeks for your application of a foreign visa.
Again, the typical processing period of an expedited passport takes two to three weeks. But there are times when you cannot wait that long to get your passport. An example would be family emergencies that you would require you to leave the country sooner. That's where you'll need to apply for an emergency passport.
The US Department of State allows citizens to apply for emergency passports in cases where there are family emergencies they need to attend to in a foreign country. You will need to apply for this especially if you need to leave within the next 48 hours. Now let's move on to the application of an emergency passport.
To get an emergency passport, you would have to contact the National Passport Information Agency regarding this. Because this agency deals with emergency situations, you can contact them at any time of the day, the whole year. There are cases, however, when you may not be able to set an appointment with them in order to obtain an emergency passport.
In case that happens to you, just stay on the line when you call them, and a customer service representative will attend to you. The representative will provide you with more options so you can get your passport immediately.
So if you need your Emergency American Passport, you now know that you have two options to choose from. If you need to travel within four weeks, you can have your Pass Port application expedited. However, in cases of family emergencies outside the country, your choice would be to apply for an emergency passport.
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