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A Guide To Completing An Expedited United States Passport Application
By CruiseDirector | August 31, 2010
If you don’t travel much, or have not traveled outside the country for an extended period of time, you might find yourself in the position of planning a trip and not having the necessary travel documents. If this is the case, you must learn what documents are required for your trip and take steps to obtain them. If you wait too long to do this you might find yourself in the position of needing to file an expedited United States passport application.
When filing a passport application it is important to understand the requirements of the issuing agency. You also need to recognize whether you are filing for a new passport or the renewal of an old one. Both require applications, but the process is different if this is a first time application.
The passport application is the initial document that must be completed, and you must select the correct application for your situation. The application instructions will explain which additional supporting documents must be submitted with the application. In general, the documents will include proof of citizenship, a form of personal identification, and two color photographs that meet specifications. If you have a previous passport that has expired, it must be submitted with your renewal application, and will act as sufficient proof of identity and citizenship.
As you review the application requirements on the agency website, be sure to take note of the expected time between the agency’s receipt of your completed application and when you can expect to receive your passport. It will generally take a few weeks and possibly even a few months, before you receive your passport in the mail. There is an option to pay an additional fee to the agency to speed up your application process.
Do not be discouraged if it does not appear that the passport agency can complete your application and get your documents to you prior to the planned departure on your trip. You have other options to consider. There are several private companies that are in business specifically to assist travelers in obtaining their documents quickly. In fact, some of these firms claim that they can get you a passport in as little as eight hours, though an estimation of 24 to 48 hours is more realistic.
While a private company can assist you with getting your travel documents, it does not mean that you do not have to complete the necessary applications or provide the required documentation. In fact, there is a good chance that the company will have forms for you to fill out to request their services. There are several of these companies, and they each have a range of services that they offer. You will pay a fee according to what you need and how quickly you need it.
Even if you use a private company to assist you with expediting this process, you must still begin at an Acceptance Facility. These facilities are agencies of the government, and serve as the initial contact point when applying for a passport. In preparing your paperwork for submission to the representative of the company you have hired, you must first present it to an agent at the Acceptance Facility for review. You must notify the agent that you are using a private firm to expedite the process for you, and request that your application form and supporting documentation be placed in a sealed envelope. It is this envelope that the company you hired will use to obtain your passport in a short period of time.
Because there are many companies that offer these services for an expedited pasport application, it is important that you do some research prior to selecting one to represent you. Look for reviews of their work from prior clients, their reputation in the travel business, their dependability and delivery results, and relevant US passport information. The key is knowing that you do not have to go it alone, whether you choose to deal directly with the issuing agency or to hire a company to act as your agent. This will allow you to spend your time thinking about the fun you will have on your trip.
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