Normally, the government will make you wait at least four weeks, but as much as six weeks, to get your passport. However, you can’t always wait that long. The good news is that you do have a couple options to get an expedited passport in short order.

Fast Service

It doesn’t matter which procedure you need to follow. If you’ve lost your passport or had it stolen, just realized you need to renew it, or are making your very first application, you can shorten your wait time for it. You will still have to follow the same application procedure that would apply for your situation, even if you didn’t need it quickly. You want the fastest US passport renewal possible.

Requirements

This means that the requirements with which you have to comply to get a new, renewed, or replacement one don’t change. You still need to meet all standards and provide all required documentation that you would even if you weren’t requesting a quick turnaround. The expediting only applies to the processing time; it doesn’t mean you get to skip any steps.

Passport Agency

If you prefer, you can request to get your application approved quickly yourself. The first step would be to call the scheduling line for a US authorized passport agency and schedule yourself an appointment. You’ll then meet with the agent, bringing your completed application packet. When you make your request, it may or may not be approved. If it is, you’ll probably have to return to the same agency to pick it up in a few days.

Private Companies

You can also hire an authorized private service to manage your entire application procedure, including the expediting request. Taking this option, you’ll send (usually overnight) your submission package to the service, who will then manage the entire process and government contact for you. You’ll then get your passport returned to you (again, usually by overnight mail) quickly.

Fees

You can set the turnaround time yourself by deciding how much you’re willing to pay for the fast service. Most of the companies that can handle this for you bill different rates based on turnaround time, which can be as long as two weeks or as quickly as 24 hours. Obviously, the faster times cost more. These fees for fast service are on top of the application fees that the government charges.

Customer Service

You can choose from any of the 40 to 50 authorized services. As you research the firms before you choose one, there are a couple important factors to consider. First, the best services will guarantee their service times. A second feature is how easily can you get a customer service agent to communicate with you. Since time is of the essence here, these are critical issues.