March 4th, 2010
Typically speaking, acquiring a passport is a time consuming process. First time applicants are generally advised to give themselves around two months to get a passport. Expedited passports are available at an additional fee, but even a rush passport can take several weeks to process. Many people do not know this, but it is possible to get a 24 hour passport in dire circumstances.
Getting a 24 hour passport is not something that is usually needed unless there is an emergency. The task of getting one this quickly is fairly involved, but it can be done. Just be aware that the government only accepts this rush condition under extreme circumstances that it is will cost significantly more to get the passport this quickly.
The U.S. Department of State specifies that a 24 hour passport should only be given to someone who has suffered a death, serious injury, or serious illness overseas to someone in their immediate family. In the case of injury or illness, the family member must be hospitalized. In the event of such an emergency, applicants are encouraged to call the State Department Passport hotline.
In addition to government offices, there are also private agencies that can get passports quicker than the standard channels. However, keep in mind that they are going to charge a hefty fee in order to make this happen. There fee structures far exceed that of the government offices, so expect the wallet to take a pretty big hit for expedited services like this.
Someone that is only getting a passport renewal will probably have a much easier time with this process. Since everything is already in place, they may actually be able to do their application right over the Internet or online. However, if they are in need of the 24 hour service, it is likely that they will still need to go to either the local passport office or a private agency.
New applicants face a much tougher challenge. An authorized witness must personally witness the signing of the passport and must personally approve new passports. This can be very difficult for people who do not live near a major metropolitan city. Those applicants that live close to a major city with an official regional passport agency stand a much better chance to get a passport because these people will be able to go to the agency in person.
Also keep in mind that when rush service is requested, try to make an early appointment or get there as soon as the office is opening. This will get the application into the loop that much faster and hopefully get it processed within the time frame that is needed. When using these services, make sure a reputable company is used if you are stepping outside the government offices. They will have the process in place and will be more likely to make the turnaround happen.
Getting a 24 hour United States passport can be difficult, but it is not an impossible task. As long as the situation meets the government requirements, they will do everything that they can in order to make this happen for everyone. This is food for thought though in that even if you never plan on leaving the country, it is always smart move to get a U S passport because you just never know when it will be needed.
Technorati Tags: 24 hour new passport, 24 hour passport, 24 hour U.S. passport, 24 hour United States passport
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
February 1st, 2010
Processing a passport through conventional methods can take up to six months. At the very minimum it will take six weeks. There is an extra fee charged that can speed the process up, but even then you are looking at three to four weeks. If you need to travel unexpectedly, then you may need a 24 hour USA Passport.
While this is far from being the norm, a 24 hour passport is not impossible. Before you plan to get yours back in 24 hours there are some things you should consider. The first thing you may want to keep in mind is that a 24 hour passport may cost you over $150, however, in certain circumstances this cost is of no importance.
There are services that are in business of expediting a passport. These services can be located via the Internet and are a possible alternative to traditional methods of processing a passport. There are several different time frames that these services will offer. Some services will offer two days, or three to four days, and they may also offer up to two weeks.
What you need to ask yourself is how much are you willing to spend and how badly do you need it? Naturally the faster it is processed, the more it costs. For this reason, you should have a definite idea of how soon you need it and how much it is worth to you to get it quickly.
There is a possibility that a 24 hour passport may not be available to you at all. There are some elements that can affect your ability to get a passport quickly. Whether you’re applying for your first passport, or if you are applying for a renewed passport, will affect how quickly you can get it. When processing a new application for a passport, you will need to appear in person at a passport processing location and have your signature verified by an authorized passport agent.
If you are renewing a passport, the process you have to go through is much simpler. Renewed passports do not require an authorized application and can be sent into the passport processing office through the mail. In order for a passport to be processed through the mail, all the information must be accurate. The passport cannot be damaged if you want to renew it in the mail, if it is damaged it needs to be replaced.
Where you are located can also affect the processing speed of a passport. The closer you live to a major city, the better your chances of getting a rapid return on your passport. Major metropolitan areas have regional processing centers. While the headquarters for the passport processing office is in Philadelphia, there are regional offices in Dallas, San Francisco, New York, and other major cities.
Living in close proximity to a passport processing center may make it possible to get a 24 hour passport. While passport offices prefer an appointment, you may be able to get one processed in the period of a day in the case of an emergency.
Even if you live in a rural area, it is possible to get a 24 hour American passport. Remember that there are U S passport expediting services that will process the passport application as quickly as you need. You will have to pay the price to get it in 24 hours, but anything is possible for a price. These services may even have the ability to have your passport waiting for you at the airport.
Technorati Tags: 24 hour new passport, 24 hour passport, 24 hour U.S. passport, 24 hour United States passport
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!