In life, unexpected situations can arise, and sometimes, they necessitate immediate international travel. Whether it's a damaged or expired passport right before traveling internationally for a vacation or business trip, knowing how to renew your United States passport swiftly is essential.
In this guide, we will walk you through the steps and procedures for an expedited U.S. passport renewal, ensuring that you are well-prepared to navigate the process when time is of the essence.
Discover the key requirements, documentation, and essential tips to help you secure your new United States passport quickly, allowing you to focus on what truly matters during a critical moment.
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Emergency U.S. passport renewal: What is it?
An emergency U.S. passport renewal, often called an expedited passport renewal, is a service available to U.S. citizens in urgent situations. This service is especially helpful when circumstances such as passport expiration or damage arise and require immediate attention, particularly when there is a pressing need for international travel.
This process allows you to speed up the renewal of your passport, typically to within 4 to 6 weeks, instead of waiting for the standard processing time, which can be up to 12 weeks.
The good news is that if you meet the eligibility criteria, you won’t have to visit a passport facility. You can apply partly online and partly by mail, for added convenience and comfort.
Applying for emergency passports
If you are currently traveling in another country, in a life-or-death emergency situation, or need to travel due to a life-threatening illness or treatment of an immediate family member, and you lost or damaged your passport, don’t panic! Contact the closest United States Embassy or Consulate. They can help you get an emergency passport (not a renewal).
Here’s a handy list of U.S. Embassy locations and their contact details around the world.
How to expedite a U.S. passport renewal online
To expedite the passport renewal process, follow these straightforward steps online with us:
Step 1: Start by visiting our passport renewal page. Fill out your current passport details and personal information.
Step 2: The payment process is divided into two parts. First, select your preferred delivery speed for our renewal kit based on your budget and urgency.
Then, choose between standard government processing or expedited processing, with an additional fee for the expedited service. Both the iVisa service and government fees are paid securely on our platform, and you'll find a bank check in your renewal kit to send to the U.S. government.
Once the service fees are settled, you'll be prompted to provide additional information and upload a copy of your passport and a recent passport photo.
Step 3: You'll receive our handy, ready-to-sign renewal kit in the mail according to your chosen timeline, containing all the necessary materials for a mail application. Complete the process by posting all documents using the provided USPS envelope.
All that’s left is to wait within 4 to 10 weeks for your renewed passport, depending on the chosen processing option. Track your application’s status using the confirmation number you’ll receive after the government receives your application (usually shared after two weeks or so).
Standard vs. expedited processing: Which is right for you?
When deciding between standard and expedited processing, consider your specific needs and travel plans:
Standard processing:
Expedited processing:
Take a moment to think about your travel timeline and urgency to choose the option that best aligns with your travel plans and requirements.
Eligibility criteria for emergency passport renewal
To be eligible for the expedited mail application, you should meet these straightforward criteria:
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Age requirement: You must be 16 years of age or older.
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Passport’s issuance: Your current passport should not be older than 15 years.
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Validity period: Your current passport must have been issued with a 10-year validity.
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Name consistency: Your passport should have been issued in your current name, or if you've changed your name, you should be able to provide legal documentation to support said change, such as a marriage certificate.
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Condition: Your current passport should not be damaged, lost, or have been stolen.
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Urgent travel needs: You should have imminent international travel plans that require a valid passport within the next few weeks.
If you meet these requirements, you can enjoy a hassle-free renewal experience.
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Required documents for an emergency U.S. passport renewal
The passport renewal process is made easy with our renewal kit. You’ll only need to provide some basic information and supporting documents, and we’ll do the rest!
The renewal kit will include:
Application form DS-82: This is the U.S. passport renewal application form, which is already filled out for you. All you need to do is review and sign it.
Copy of your current passport: You must upload a copy of your most recent U.S. passport.
Proof of travel plans: To demonstrate the urgency of your renewal and be eligible for expedited services, you typically need to provide proof of your upcoming international travel plans. This can include a confirmed flight itinerary or other travel-related documents.
Passport photos: Upload a recent passport-sized photo that meets the U.S. passport photo requirements. You can get a government-compliant photo online using our easy-to-use digital photo service!
Bank check: You can pay the relevant fees for the renewal process online on our secure platform. This includes the iVisa renewal kit fee, government processing fee, and the expedited service fee if you choose expedited processing.
Name change documentation (if applicable): If your current passport is not issued in your current legal name, and you've changed your name, you must provide legal documentation to support the name change. This may include a marriage certificate or court order.
The kit also includes a priority mail express envelope with postage and the Department of State mailing address.
Booking an appointment for an emergency passport renewal
Good news! If you meet the eligibility requirements above, an in-person appointment is unnecessary. The online and mail option can be used to renew your passport, even with expedited passport services.
However, if you don’t meet the requirements, you can still apply for a passport renewal in person at a passport facility near you.
During the process, you’ll receive instructions on how to make an appointment. If you’re having issues finding a suitable date, contact us and we’ll be happy to assist!
Emergency passport renewal: Fees and payment
When renewing your passport, there are two main costs to consider: the iVisa service fee for your renewal kit and the government processing fee. You’ll pay both on our website using a credit or debit card, PayPal, Venmo, or Amazon Pay.
iVisa renewal kit options:
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Same-day processing: Our specialists process and ship your kit on the same day for $120.
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2-day processing: Get your passport in 2 days for $100.
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4-day processing: Expedited processing within 4 days for $80.
Government renewal fees:
You’ll receive a completed bank check from us, ready to be sent to the government with the rest of your documents, to cover the passport renewal payment.
If, for any reason, the U.S. government rejects your renewal application, don't worry. We offer a 100% refund of the iVisa passport service fees. We've got your back!
How long does an emergency passport renewal take?
The typical processing time for a passport renewal is around 12 weeks with the government. But if you're in a hurry, you can opt for expedited services for an extra fee, which will get your new passport to you in 4 to 6 weeks.
Please note that this does not include the processing and shipping time by iVisa, or the shipping of the documents from your address to the government.
If you've made an error or have any questions regarding your passport application, don't hesitate to contact our support team.
You can connect with our agents through online chat for immediate assistance. For less urgent inquiries, you can also contact us via email at [email protected]. We're here to help!
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