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Reviewed July 31, 2026

Expedite a U.S. passport application

Use expedited service for travel in less than six weeks, or seek a passport agency appointment when qualifying international travel is much sooner.

Direct answer

For travel in less than six weeks, request expedited processing and pay the additional $60 fee. If international travel is within 14 calendar days—or you need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days—review the appointment route for a passport agency or center.

Choose the service by your travel date

  • Expedited service: current Department of State processing is 2–3 weeks, not including mailing time. Use this route when travel is less than six weeks away.
  • Urgent travel: a passport agency or center appointment may be available when you are within 14 calendar days of international travel, or within 28 calendar days when a foreign visa is also required.
  • Life-or-death emergency: a separate emergency appointment route applies to qualifying travel within 14 days involving the death, hospice care, or life-threatening illness or injury of an immediate family member outside the United States.

Important limits

  • Online passport renewals cannot be expedited.
  • Processing time begins when the Department of State receives the application, not when you hand it to an acceptance facility or mail it.
  • Mailing can add time before and after processing.
  • Appointments are required for urgent and emergency service, and availability is not guaranteed.

Steps

  1. Count from the date you will submit the application to your international travel date.
  2. Choose the correct application or renewal form before requesting faster service.
  3. Add the current expedited-service fee to the standard passport fee when the filing route allows it.
  4. If using a passport agency or center, make an appointment and prepare proof of international travel.
  5. Consider faster outbound shipping and the optional faster return delivery for a passport book.
  6. Keep the receipt and track the application after it enters the Department of State system.

Fees and timing reviewed

As reviewed on July 31, 2026, expedited service costs an additional $60 and the Department of State lists 2–3 weeks for processing. Optional 1–3 day return delivery for a passport book costs $23.36. These times do not include mailing, and fees can change, so confirm them immediately before filing.

Official sources

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