How to Obtain a Same-Day or Emergency Passport

Misplacing your passport, having it stolen, or discovering it has expired right before your trip can be incredibly stressful. The State Department indicates that a standard passport application typically takes six to eight weeks to process under normal conditions. However, due to a backlog from the pandemic, current wait times are expected to be between eight to eleven weeks. Even expedited passports are taking five to seven weeks to complete.

Fortunately, there are options available to secure a same-day or emergency passport, helping you get back on your travel plans. While it may not be straightforward, it is achievable if you meet the necessary criteria.

Here’s everything you need to know about obtaining a passport in less than 24 hours.

Is it possible to get a passport in a single day?

The quick answer is yes, obtaining a passport in just one day is possible. However, it requires time, patience, and urgent travel intentions.

In a life-or-death scenario, you should apply for an emergency passport.

To be eligible for an emergency passport, you must demonstrate a genuine life-or-death emergency necessitating international travel. According to the Department of State, this includes situations involving an immediate family member (defined as a parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, or grandparent) who has passed away, is nearing death, or faces a life-threatening condition. You'll need to provide proof, such as a death certificate, a mortuary statement, or a hospital letter. This documentation must also be in English or translated into English.

Next, you must visit one of the 26 Regional Passport Agencies located across the country, which may not be accessible for everyone. These agencies are situated in major cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, and Philadelphia. It's wise to call the Department of State helpline (1-877-487-2778) to verify your eligibility before heading out. Sometimes, a helpline agent can book an appointment for you, although all agencies accept walk-ins as well. Keep in mind that walk-in slots are limited and differ by location. If you manage to secure an appointment, ensure you have a completed passport application, proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate or an earlier U.S. passport), a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license), a passport photo, and evidence of immediate international travel plans.

If your situation isn't life-or-death, consider using the Urgent Travel service.

If you're not facing a life-or-death situation, there's still a way to obtain a passport in just one day. If you've already applied but haven't received it in the mail, and your international trip is within five calendar days, you can utilize the Urgent Travel service. While this isn't an official emergency passport, it is typically processed on the same day. To access this service, you'll need to schedule an appointment with a passport agency by calling 1-877-487-2778. This option is also available for those who don't have a passport and aren't currently awaiting application processing, provided their travel is within 14 days.

Final option: request assistance from your elected representative.

Another alternative is to seek help from your elected member of Congress—some representatives, such as Dianne Feinstein and Mike Crapo, provide this shortcut on their websites, though the outcomes may vary.

How to expedite your passport application

If you have a few weeks to spare and prefer to let professionals handle it, you might want to consider using an expedited passport service.

Third-party expediting services, such as ItsEasy Passport & Visa Service and RushMyPassport, can help accelerate your passport application. They can submit your documents, retrieve your passport, and deliver it back to you within days. Although they charge an extra fee in addition to the standard application and expedited service fees, they can often streamline the expediting process for you.

RushMyPassport.com offers a rapid turnaround with a one-week option for $799 or a two-week choice for $599. Meanwhile, ItsEasy Passport & Visa charges $45 for their four-week processing service and $895 for same-day service. They note that urgent travel is necessary for one- to three-day services, so it's best to inquire for specifics.

However, remember that these services may have limited availability since expeditors depend on a small number of appointment slots.