Options For Obtaining An Expedited New Passport

If you are new to traveling abroad, you might not know what travel documents are required for your destination. It is important that this be one of the first things you learn as you plan your trip. If the trip is sudden, or there is limited time for planning, you might find that you need to obtain an expedited new USA passport.

As a new applicant for a passport, you need to understand the basics of what is required in order to make the application process as pain free as possible. There is an official application that must be completed and submitted with specific supporting documents to the official governmental agency that issues travel documents. With your application you must also provide some form of identification proving you are the applicant, along with a copy of that piece of identification that will stay with the agency. In addition, you must have a document proving your citizenship that is also submitted, along with the required color photographs that meet agency specifications. You must also pay a fee with the application.

If speed in obtaining a passport is your objective, there are at least two options available to you. The first is to pay an additional fee to the issuing agency in exchange for faster service in processing your application. The second is to hire a private company that provides the services of assisting travelers in navigating the application paperwork and process

As a first time applicant, you must appear in person at a Passport Agency office or an Acceptance Facility with your application and supporting documents. An Acceptance Facility is likely to be more convenient, as these are usually located in a post office or other government office. If normal lead times for the issuing agency are not adequate for your travel needs, you must bypass the normal processing sequence by making an appointment with an agent at a Regional Passport Agency. At this appointment you would request faster service, prove the need for it, and then present your application paperwork to the agent. There is a higher fee to use this faster service.

Another option is to hire a private company to assist you with the application process. Since this is their business, they know how to get it done efficiently, which might be just what you need to ease your mind about getting it completed in time. The company would provide you with detailed instructions of what you need to send them and then they would complete the application process for you. But, don't get the idea that they can do everything for you. Even when using one of these companies, the applicant still must start the application process by appearing at an Acceptance Facility with the completed paperwork.

While these companies can be of assistance to you in the application process, keep in mind that they do not work for free. Their fees are generally based on a sliding scale, meaning that the faster you need the passport, the more you are going to pay. However, if speed is your motive, then the cost may be worth the service provided. Many of these providers advertise that they can get your passport to you in 24 to 48 hours, and no more than two weeks.

If you have decided that one of these private companies is the best solution to meet your needs, then you must decide which one to select. Some factors to consider when making your choice should include how much you are willing to pay since different companies have higher fees for the same promised service. A key consideration is the reputation of the company, and whether they deliver what they promise. If you are counting on someone to get you what you need without disrupting your travel plans, you want to know that you have selected a reliable company.

The net of this is that the lack of a passport should not be a deterrent to making international travel plans on short notice. There are options available to assist you with meeting your travel goals. With proper planning and execution, it is certainly possible to obtain an expedited new pass port in time to take your trip, whether you do it yourself or have help.