If you must travel somewhere outside of the United States and expect to be requiring the need to return, you will need to apply for the right documents. Sometimes, travel plans sneak up on travelers and there is only a limited amount of time that the traveler may have to prepare. If you must get documents fast, then you may want to know ways to use the expedited pass port services. There are many reasons to provide that the office of consular affairs will permit you to submit a speedy application.

Planning

Applying for travel documentation can take a long time if simply using the routine service. Processing times for new applications can take at least four to six weeks from the date that the agency receives an application. If travel plans come up in a shorter time span, you will benefit from utilizing the expedited service that is available to you.

Expedited Service

The expedited service processing times are a lot speedier than the routine service processing times. Processing an expedited application takes only two or three weeks rather than four to six weeks. The agency recommends that you purchase overnight delivery when mailing your application to make sure that the processing times stay expedited. You can get expedited service for a U.S. passport card as well.

Travel Plans

If the expedited service’s processing times of two to three weeks is just too long, you have other options available to you. If you need the documentation within fourteen days of your application, it is recommended and necessary for you to visit an agency office. Schedule an appointment with the bureau of consular affairs or another licensed agency near you in order to get your papers in a timely manner.

Circumstances

Sometimes, even waiting fourteen days is just not acceptable. Certain applicants who meet certain criteria will be able to get a passport more quickly. In the case of life or death emergencies, people are able to travel almost immediately.

Emergency

When it comes to life or death problems that need to be tended to overseas, the applicant must go into the agency office to fill out their application. Once accepted, the applicant will be allowed to depart in between twenty four hours and forty eight hours. You will need to bring documents that prove there is an emergency happening.

Cost

Receiving expedited processing times comes at a cost. On top of the standard application fees, there are additional costs to be considered with speeding up your application. There is an additional sixty dollars per application required in order to process more quickly. The bureau requests that applicants purchase two-way overnight delivery so that the mail service will not slow down the application period. Planning ahead can help ease some of these costs,so try to apply early if possible.