# Best way to get a US Passport quickly **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 10, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437 "2012-02-10T18:20:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/1 "2012-02-10T18:20:04Z")
Trying to get one before March 14th…originally seemed impossible, but yet… According to the US Passport website, an expedited passport takes 2-3 weeks…even if I paid to have it overnighted back, and overnighted it there, that’s another 3-4 days for shipping, since there could be a weekend in there, or it was shipped to late to make the cut off. So we’re at almost 3-4 weeks. And then there’s the option of going to a regional passport office, which is only 30 minutes from me. According to them, I can get that in less than a week…except they will only let me get an appointment if I am within two weeks of my travel date. So do I risk the first option, and pray it comes in on time, or wait until March 1st and go in person and assume that they really can get it to me within a week? Edit: Or, if anyone has experience doing it in person, how strict are they with the 14 day rule? The automated phone thing said they needed official tickets/itinerary… ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/2 "2012-02-10T18:22:09Z")
Call your Congresscritter and ask if they can help. They have interns for just this sort of thing. Nars Glinley Former Congressional Intern ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/3 "2012-02-10T18:23:58Z")
Recent [thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=634267&highlight=passport) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/4 "2012-02-10T18:24:28Z")
I got a new US Passport in 2010. I filled out the form, took it to the post office and had my picture taken on 29 October. My passport was issued on 2 November. I had it in my hands on 6 November. I did not pay the extradited fee. My advice is to just get it all done and send it all in. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/5 "2012-02-10T18:26:38Z")
I got a new one last year. It took a month. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/6 "2012-02-10T18:36:40Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I got a new US Passport in 2010. I filled out the form, took it to the post office and had my picture taken on 29 October. My passport was issued on 2 November. I had it in my hands on 6 November. I did not pay the extradited fee. > > My advice is to just get it all done and send it all in. I would advise against this. Just because you received the passport quickly without expediting doesn’t mean it will arrive quickly this time with normal processing. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/7 "2012-02-10T19:00:30Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I did not pay the extradited fee. That’s good advice. Getting yourself extradited really won’t help your situation. ---
**Author:** ![Snake\_Plissken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@Snake\_Plissken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snake_Plissken)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/8 "2012-02-11T07:31:27Z")
I paid the fee and got my passport in exactly 2 weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/9 "2012-02-12T20:02:53Z")
WAG. The Passport Office is basing its timeline for regular processing and expedited process on heavy travel periods. Because so many travelers do not plan ahead of time the Passport Office builds into the process extra time to play it safe. Still, they get overwhelmed at times. But ultimately, the expedited processing fee only exists to make money from the gullible. ---
**Author:** ![Av8trix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@Av8trix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Av8trix)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/10 "2012-02-12T22:47:24Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > And then there’s the option of going to a regional passport office, which is only 30 minutes from me. According to them, I can get that in less than a week…except they will only let me get an appointment if I am within two weeks of my travel date. > Edit: Or, if anyone has experience doing it in person, how strict are they with the 14 day rule? The automated phone thing said they needed official tickets/itinerary… I did mine in person. Had to set up the appointment, which was 4-5 days in the future. I showed up on appointment day with all my info, waited in several lines, and had my passport in hand by late afternoon. It did cost extra, but the peace of mind was worth it. They _did_ ask to see the airline tickets I’d brought to verify that my travel date was within the specified time frame. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/11 "2012-02-13T01:00:29Z")
You could try [http://www.rushpassport.com/](http://www.rushpassport.com/)? ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/12 "2012-02-13T01:16:38Z")
Anecdotal: My SO submitted an application for a passport (renewal) on January 2, and recieved it January 24 (2012). But do what you think you need to do! ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/13 "2012-02-13T01:36:04Z")
One other suggestion, that the State Department probably wouldn’t like… When I was in the midst of a quick renewal myself, I ran into the problem you have of not being able to get a rush appointment unless travel was within two weeks. I called an agency and a woman told me, “Hon, they just need to see proof that you’re travelling - you don’t actually need to _go_. Buy an international plane ticket, print out the confirmation to show at your apppointment, then cancel it and get a refund.” Luckily it didn’t come to that for me, but FYI in case it helps in your situation… ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/14 "2012-02-14T20:20:27Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > One other suggestion, that the State Department probably wouldn’t like… When I was in the midst of a quick renewal myself, I ran into the problem you have of not being able to get a rush appointment unless travel was within two weeks. I called an agency and a woman told me, “Hon, they just need to see proof that you’re travelling - you don’t actually need to _go_. Buy an international plane ticket, print out the confirmation to show at your apppointment, then cancel it and get a refund.” Luckily it didn’t come to that for me, but FYI in case it helps in your situation… Yes - I’ve heard of travel agencies who will do this specifically to help out their clients. Of course you have to have the room on the credit card to afford a fully-refundable airline ticket for a few days!! ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/15 "2012-02-14T20:59:29Z")
Worthless anecdote: I got my passport about a month ago, and it took two weeks. I did not pay the expedited fee. They said it would take 4-6 weeks. Edit: It arrived via Priority Mail (which I did not pay for). I had no idea what it could be until I opened it. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/16 "2012-02-15T06:03:32Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Yes - I’ve heard of travel agencies who will do this specifically to help out their clients. > > Of course you have to have the room on the credit card to afford a fully-refundable airline ticket for a few days!! True, though one-way tickets to Mexico or the Caribbean are pretty cheap from many parts of the US! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/17 "2012-02-15T14:36:24Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > Worthless anecdote: I got my passport… … and it took two weeks. I did not pay the expedited fee. They said it would take 4-6 weeks. Same here. I was pleasently suprised by the promptness. Not that this helps at all. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-a-us-passport-quickly/612437/18 "2012-02-16T03:46:11Z")
Thanks for the responses! I decided to do it in person at the office, when I get to within two weeks of travel…it seems the most reliable, and it’s not anymore expensive than the regular expedited service…actually, cheaper, because no postage!