# Same day passport without a plane ticket? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 9, 2011, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603 "2011-12-09T09:29:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/1 "2011-12-09T09:29:10Z")
I saw a job online that required proof of a current passport. Unfortunately, it takes weeks to get a passport, and I’ve somehow misplaced mine. The last time I got a new passport, I had a plane ticket that proved I needed to leave the next day, and was able to show up in person and get my passport the same day. Is there any way to bypass the “show us your plane ticket” requirement? (is it always a requirement?) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/2 "2011-12-09T09:31:18Z")
What country are you in, and what nationality are you? It’s highly relevant. I got a same-day one in London, no ticket required, it’s just a regular service offered by the passport office. ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/3 "2011-12-09T09:38:32Z")
Unfortunately, I live in the U.S. It’s a big deal. Normal processing takes 4-6 weeks. Expedited processing, apparently 2-3 weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/4 "2011-12-09T09:48:38Z")
Since you’re in the US, you can leave the country without flying. Can you tell them you have an urgent appointment in Canada or Mexico that you need to drive to? ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/5 "2011-12-09T09:52:58Z")
Buy a refundable plane ticket. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/6 "2011-12-09T10:01:03Z")
You probably just need to call the nearest passport office and see if they think the job requirement is suitably pressing to warrant a same-day appointment. I looked into this once for a semi-urgent trip to Mexico (where I would drive past the then no-passport-required zone), and I called the nearest office and explained the situation and they said they could try to squeeze me in. The trip ended up not happening, so I didn’t end up following up on the appointment, but I am pretty sure not having a plane ticket was not going to be an issue. ---
**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:** [December 9, 2011, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/7 "2011-12-09T16:01:18Z")
> [@Rusalka](#): > > Unfortunately, I live in the U.S. It’s a big deal. Normal processing takes 4-6 weeks. Expedited processing, apparently 2-3 weeks. That’s what the Passport Office tells you. I renewed my passport in early November. My wife was obtaining her very first passport at the same time. (We also had decided to obtain Passport cards as well.) No, we aren’t traveling. Another person in line was traveling in early December so they opted for the expedited processing (and extra cost) to renew their passport. My renewed passport and passport card came two and a half weeks later. My wife’s very first passport (and card) arrived the next day. My documents came out of the passport processing center in New Hampshire. My wife’s documents came out of Arizona! ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/8 "2011-12-09T16:07:06Z")
The job requires proof of a passport but not the actual passport? Is it possible the the State Department has a record that you hold a current passport? Actually, I’d be suprised if they didn’t but is it something you could get a hold of? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/9 "2011-12-09T16:07:54Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > That’s what the Passport Office tells you. I renewed my passport in early November. My wife was obtaining her very first passport at the same time. (We also had decided to obtain Passport cards as well.) No, we aren’t traveling. Another person in line was traveling in early December so they opted for the expedited processing (and extra cost) to renew their passport. > > My renewed passport and passport card came two and a half weeks later. My wife’s very first passport (and card) arrived the next day. My documents came out of the passport processing center in New Hampshire. My wife’s documents came out of Arizona! Side note, but: Why would you get both the card and the actual passport? ---
**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:** [December 9, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/10 "2011-12-09T17:07:47Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Side note, but: Why would you get both the card and the actual passport? Don’t know about **Duckster** but cards are handy for Caribbean cruises and day trips to Mexico and Canada if you live close to the border. I’d rather keep a card in my wallet than carry the book around. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/11 "2011-12-09T17:10:28Z")
It was a long time ago but the first time I got a passport I needed it in two days. To do that I had to drive to Washington DC, to the passport office on K street, and paid extra to expedite. No plane ticket or anything needed to prove my claim that I needed it in right away. So, I think you can do it in a day or two if you are near the DC office. If you are trying to do this through a post office type passport office, I feel your pain. There ,“Expedite” means “don’t take a year” and you pay extra for that. ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/12 "2011-12-09T19:00:56Z")
Thanks for the answers. I’ll try calling but I have no hope of getting a live person. What the heck is a “passport card”? ---
**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:** [December 9, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/13 "2011-12-09T19:09:42Z")
A passport card is only good for driving across the borders of Mexico and Canada or for taking Caribbean cruises. They look like a driver’s license but are issued by the State Department. When you apply for a passport, the application asks if you want a book, a card or both. The requirements are the same. The only difference is the cost and the usefulness. A book is about twice as much as a card. Either is useful for identification purposes although many people might be unfamiliar with the card. They look kind of cheesy. I could see some people thinking that they were fake. [Passport card.](http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/14 "2011-12-09T19:11:48Z")
I know that you used to be able to “walk your application” and spend a day in a federal building to end up with a passport. Do they not do that anymore? ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/15 "2011-12-09T19:33:17Z")
I’m not sure about that. It certainly isn’t advertised online anywhere. Maybe you don’t need an excuse and can just show up and stand in line? ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/16 "2011-12-09T21:11:58Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I know that you used to be able to “walk your application” and spend a day in a federal building to end up with a passport. Do they not do that anymore? You can go to a regional passport agency if you need to [travel within two weeks](http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/schedule/schedule_852.html), but most of the places require proof of travel. (Though, notably, not all of them.) Here’s [the list](http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_913.html) of regional passport agencies. ---
**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:** [December 9, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/17 "2011-12-09T22:03:33Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Side note, but: Why would you get both the card and the actual passport? Well, since I live within 100 miles of the US border (in this case, the ocean) I could be stopped at any time by Border Patrol and required to verify my citizenship … 😃 As **Nars Glinley** points out, it comes in handy with border crossings, in this case a weekend trip to Canada. No need to carry the passport if you have the card. I think the card comes in more handy because Customs on the Canadian-US border have a hard time reading books. 😃 > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I know that you used to be able to “walk your application” and spend a day in a federal building to end up with a passport. Do they not do that anymore? No. US Passports are strictly controlled, post -9/11. With really rare exceptions, all passport applications must be done via mail through the [National Passport Center](http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_5150.html) in Portsmouth, NH. The best exception is you must travel to Portsmouth and stand in line at the NPC if you need a passport in less than two weeks for international travel. You still need an appointment to stand in line at the NPC, however. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/18 "2011-12-09T22:46:45Z")
One relevant question that hasn’t been addressed here, that I don’t know the answer to either. Is the procedure different if you already have a valid passport, like the OP, but have lost it vs. a new passport application or renewal? ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/19 "2011-12-21T06:09:34Z")
A lost passport is the same as renewing one. Getting a first time passport is different and takes longer, but that’s not the situation I’m in. I’m wondering has anyone ever stood in line for a same day passport without a ticket to travel, or heard of someone doing that recently? I’m afraid I’m going to apply for a passport and have to wait for a month, and in the meantime I’ll find my old passport and kick myself. That’s what I want to avoid. ---
**Author:** ![Amasia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Amasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amasia)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603/20 "2011-12-21T08:43:28Z")
I have done this without the actual ticket: I just had a print out of an itinerary which I planned to purchase. I represented that I was going to take the trip (which was true). However, it was very obvious from my travel records that I was an incredibly frequent international business traveler. Are you sure that the passport is absolutely required for the job application? Could you state that you are in the process of having your passport renewed on your job application? I would also suggest calling the state department emergency passport number- they are quite helpful and will give you the most accurate information possible. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-day-passport-without-a-plane-ticket/605603.md?page=2)