In a Passport Panic?
Need an expedited passport?
New
Rules have created more demand.
Everyone has to have a passport.
There
are 2 options to get a passport
expedited. One in as little as 24 hrs.
Here
is a quick short version of the
expedited passport details
with
contact information:
1.
U.S. Department of State
>For
first time passports must apply in person!
A)
9000 + ACCEPTANCE FACILITIES
for traveling past 2
weeks or more (normal travel). These include some Federal, state
and probate courts, U.S. Post Offices, some public libraries and a few county
and municipal offices. Department of State Zip code locator here.
B)
13
REGIONAL PASSPORT AGENCIES
+ 1 GATEWAY CITY AGENCY for traveling within
2 weeks (expedited), or need foreign visas. MUST CALL IN ADVANCE TO GET A FREE
APPOINTMENT: 1-877-487-2778. More details
here.
>DO
NOT let anyone charge you for this appointment!
You
need to know what to bring to your appointment and other details that can be found
at the
Department of State website
here.
2.
Private Expedite Services
There
are private expedite services like
RushMyPassport.com
that say they can get a passport in some cases in 24 hours. First time passports
may take longer. If you decide to use one of these services, you must contact
them ASAP to get instructions to provide documents and learn the rules before
they can start the process. Rushmypassport.com has been featured on Forbes.com
and MSNBC.
APPLY
EARLY IF YOU CAN
Consider
applying 4-6 weeks early if you are not in a panic situation.
Keep
in mind that as of 2007, there were 300,000,000+ citizens. It was predicted that
½ would have a passport in 4 years. In 2007 about ¼ of the citizens
had passports. So, another 75,000,000 could be expected to get a passport in the
4 years.
THE MATH:
As the population grows,
so does the line because infants have to have new passports too.
In 2007 the government
system became over whelmed causing major delays and angry citizens. It was reported
that they issued refunds to some who paid for the government expedited services.
But in 2008 the government has enacted many changes to improve their efficiency
and accessibiliy. Their website is a little overwhelming at times and confusing.