Renewing your passport in a hurry
If you are traveling within 14 days, you must make an appointment at a regional passport agency. You cannot use standard mail-in renewal services for urgent travel.
- Verify your eligibility. You must have proof of international travel within 14 calendar days (e.g., a flight itinerary). If you are applying for a life-or-death emergency, you must prove the emergency involves an immediate family member outside the country.
- Call for an appointment. Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. Lines open at 8:00 AM ET, Monday through Friday. Do not show up at an agency without a confirmed appointment.
- Prepare your documents. Bring a completed DS-11 form (unsigned), proof of citizenship (original birth certificate or expired passport), a photocopy of your ID, a color passport photo taken within 6 months, and your travel itinerary.
- Pay the fees. Be prepared to pay the $130 application fee plus the $60 expedite fee at the appointment. Payment must be made by check, money order, or credit card; agencies often do not accept cash.
- Can I walk into a passport agency without an appointment?
- No. Regional agencies strictly require an appointment. You will be turned away by security if you do not have one scheduled.
- What if I live far from a passport agency?
- You will have to travel to the nearest regional agency. There are only a limited number of these offices in the US, so factor in travel costs and time when planning.