| Expedited US Passport Services |
Expediting your US passport application refers to the process of getting your passport application though the processing cycle faster than the standard return time. Depending on your travel requirement, this can be accomplished through an official Acceptance Facility, ie. the US Postal Service, or through the use of an authorized US passport expediting service. In both cases there is an 'expedite' fee paid to the US government. There is also an additional fee when using a passport expediting service, depending on your required service level.
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→ Emergency US Passport Services
An emergency passport requirement might require a departure within, say, one business week. Since there are a limited number of regional passport agencies (official government) and most of the government agencies are by appointment only, you will most likely need to use a US passport expediting service to get an emergency passport.
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Using a US passport expediting service can be a great way to process your emergency US Passport application but some can get a bit pricey. You should consider whether you really have an emergency, or just need it faster than normal.
You'll also need to determine the appropriate passport type because new passports for adults and children as well as lost, stolen or damaged passports will require the applicant to visit an Acceptance Agent. This extra step could create an extra days wait in the US Passport processing cycle.
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Finally, you'll need to find the right US passport expediting service to assist you in obtaining your emergency US passport. There are many US passport expediting services but not all are the same in reliability or capabilities. Some may overstate their capability and then leave you waiting and wondering. Others are excellent US passport expediting services that do exactly what they state, with excellent customer service.
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→ Faster US Passport Services (but not emergency)
There are various ways to obtain a US passport faster than normal. Depending on your actual travel requirement a US passport expediting service can be used. Or, you can choose to use the 'expedited' option of the US Government.
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While not advocating for a specific US passport expediting service, they do offer the extra comfort of the 'hand-carrying' of your US passport application documents.
Remember, a good US passport expediting service will guarantee their service to an extent.
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→ How They Do It
An authorized US passport expediting service is a company that is registered with one or more of the US Department of State's Passport Agencies. Their registration allows them to act on your behalf to submit your US passport application to the specific passport agency to speed it through the cycle.
You submit all the required documents to the passport expediting company, including a Letter of Authorization naming the respective company. The passport expediting service processes application and when your passport is released they deliver it to you. Or, they inform you of the reason the government did not issue the US passport, usually with an official 'Suspense Notice'.
Although they do have a special relationship with the Passport Agencies, they do not have any capabilities to "bend" the rules in the process. So, if required documents are not in order or there is some reason only the government knows to suspend or deny a passport, they are at the mercy of the government.
Be sure to carefully choose the appropriate company that can satisfy your travel requirement. And keep in mind that while you'll find a wide range of prices for similar passport expediting services, the highest price doesn't mean it's the best service.
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