How to Get an Emergency Passport for Family Emergencies
In cases where you need to leave the country soon, the routine passport application is simply not an option. That's because routine passport applications currently take around four to six weeks to complete, and if you're really in a hurry, then that's too long a wait.
This is especially the case during family emergencies. In the unfortunate event where your loved ones based outside the country need your immediate help, you'll need a passport option that will get you to your loved ones sooner than later. This is where emergency passports come in. Emergency passports are designed to help you get out of the country in times of dire need.
Emergency passports are issued to US citizens who have family emergencies outside the country and have to leave within the next 48 hours. So, if you need a passport quickly, an emergency passport is what you need. Applying for one ensures that you'll be able to leave the country immediately.
But what do you need to apply for an emergency passport? First of all, you need to contact the National Passport Information Agency (NPIA). This is the agency tasked with handling all your emergency passport needs at any time of the day. Simply give them a call, and they will help you set a schedule with the nearest passport agency. The passport agency will then be the one to help you obtain an emergency passport.
However, there are instances where you might be unable to set a schedule with a passport agency. In cases like this, just hang in the line and your call will be forwarded to a customer service representative (CSR). From there, the CSR will provide you with other options to get your emergency passport.
What if you don't really need to travel within the next 48 hours? You have the option of just having your passport application expedited instead. As far as processing speeds go, an expedited option sits in between the routine passport application and the emergency passport.
Expedited passports are designed for those who need to leave the country within the next 10 weeks. Current processing times for expedited passports are at two to three weeks. So if you need to get a passport during this time frame, then getting an expedited passport is the best choice you have. Take note that expedited passports require an additional fee to process. This is by no means a hefty fee. In fact, it's a price that's well worth every penny if you are looking for speed and convenience when applying for your passport.
If you need to be with your family in family emergencies outside the country, you have the option of getting an emergency passport. Having an emergency passport will enable you to leave the country in as little as 48 hours or less. However, if you can wait for at least 2 weeks, you have the choice of having your passport application expedited instead. This comes with an additional fee, but you get speed and a quick response in return.
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