Renewing Your U.S. Passport in a Hurry
If you have international travel within 14 days, you must make an appointment at a regional passport agency. For travel more than 14 days away, use the expedited mail service through the U.S. Department of State to receive your passport in 2–3 weeks.
If you have international travel within 14 days, you must make an appointment at a regional passport agency. For travel more than 14 days away, use the expedited mail service through the U.S. Department of State to receive your passport in 2–3 weeks.
At a glance
- Budget
- $210 total
- Duration
- 1-3 weeks
- Best Time
- Any time of year
- Visa Required
- N/A
Step by step
Check your travel timeline
If you are traveling in 14 days or less, you qualify for an urgent travel appointment. If your travel is further out but you want it fast, you can request 'Expedited Service' by mail for an additional $60 fee.
Gather your documents
You need your most recent U.S. passport, a completed Form DS-82, one 2x2 inch color passport photo taken within the last 6 months, and your payment (check or money order).
Book an agency appointment
Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to schedule an in-person appointment at a regional agency. These slots are limited and usually released in small batches; be prepared to call at 8:00 AM local time.
Attend your appointment
Bring printed proof of international travel (e.g., a flight itinerary) and all your documents. Arrive 15 minutes early. Most agencies can issue the passport the same day or within 24-48 hours.
Budget
| Optional Shipping | $19.53 |
| Passport Book Fee | $130 |
| Expedited Mail Fee | $60 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $209.53 |
What to bring
- Printed physical copy of your flight itinerary
- One new 2x2 inch passport photo
- Original current passport to submit
- Personal checkbook or money order for fees
Visa & entry notes
This guide is for U.S. citizens renewing a U.S. passport. If you are currently abroad, you must contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, as regional domestic agencies cannot assist you while you are outside the country.
Check that renewal is the right route
Renewing is only possible in certain cases. If your old passport was lost, stolen or damaged, or was issued when you were a child, you will usually need to apply in person with a different form instead. Answer the eligibility questions on the State Department's website before you fill anything in, because the wrong form costs time you don't have.
Avoid the common delays
Most hold-ups come from small things: a photo that doesn't meet the published requirements, a missing signature, or a payment made out incorrectly. Read the photo rules carefully and have the photo taken somewhere that does passport photos regularly. Before you hand anything over, check the form against the instructions line by line, and keep copies of everything you submit.
Fees and processing times change, so confirm the current figures on the official site rather than relying on any guide, including this one.
Check your destination's rules too
A valid passport is not always enough. Some countries expect it to remain valid for a set period beyond your stay, or require blank pages for stamps, and an airline can refuse to board you if it doesn't meet the destination's rules. If you already applied for an electronic travel authorization or a visa using your old passport number, check whether it needs updating once the new passport arrives.
When the new passport comes, sign it, check every printed detail, and update the number in any airline booking that asked for it.
FAQ
Can I walk into a passport agency without an appointment?
No. You will be turned away. You must have a confirmed appointment.
Is there a way to get it faster than the 2-3 week expedited mail window?
Yes, only by using a regional passport agency appointment for those with proof of travel within 14 days.
Once the passport is in hand, how to plan a two-week trip from scratch covers the rest of the preparation, packing for two weeks in a carry-on keeps the airport simple, and setting up an eSIM before you fly means you have data the moment you land.
See also
- How to plan an international itinerary?
- How to book last-minute international flights?
- How to keep your passport safe while traveling?
Once your passport is in hand and your travel is confirmed, head over to HowTo Food to learn how to research local street food safety standards for your destination.