Need a passport fast? Expedited passport service currently reduces processing time to 2 to 3 weeks, compared with 4 to 6 weeks for routine service. Keep in mind that mailing time is separate and can add extra time before your application arrives and after your passport is issued.
This guide explains when expedited service makes sense, how much it costs, what to bring, and what to do if your trip is so close that you may need an urgent passport agency appointment instead.
If your departure date is even closer, read how to get a passport in 2 weeks or less.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at:
Which Fast Passport Option Do You Actually Need?
Use this quick guide before you apply. The right option depends on how soon you travel, whether you have already applied, and whether you need a passport book or card.
| Situation | Best Next Step |
|---|---|
| You have more than 6 weeks before travel | Routine service may still work, but expedited service can add a buffer if your timeline is tight. |
| You have roughly 2 to 6 weeks before travel | Apply with expedited service and consider faster return delivery for your completed passport book. |
| You are traveling in 14 days or less | Look for a passport agency or center appointment instead of relying on standard expedited processing alone. |
| You need a foreign visa in the next 28 days | You may also need a passport agency or center appointment. |
| You already applied and now need your passport sooner | Call the National Passport Information Center to request expedited service or faster delivery of your completed passport book. |
How Can I Apply for an Expedited Passport?
To apply for an expedited passport, follow these steps:
- Complete the Form:
Fill out Form DS-11 for first-time applicants or children under 16, or Form DS-82 for renewals. Provide all required supporting documents, such as an original or certified copy of your birth certificate and proof of U.S. citizenship. For a detailed walkthrough on how to fill out these forms, refer to U.S. Passport Application Process: Easy Step-by-Step Guide. - Submit the Application:
Submit your application at a passport acceptance facility, such as select post offices, clerk’s offices, or at a passport agency. When you’re applying on behalf of a child, ensure that both parents’ names and proof of relationship are included. - Pay the Required Fees:
The expedite fee of $60 is in addition to the application fee and the execution fee. - Request Expedited Service:
Indicate your need for expedited processing on your application and ensure all fees are paid separately when necessary.
Expedited Passport Checklist
Before you submit, make sure you have the documents and payment method that match your application type.
✓ The correct application form: DS-11 for first-time applicants and many minors, or DS-82 for eligible renewals
✓ Proof of U.S. citizenship
✓ Valid photo ID and photocopies if required
✓ One passport photo that meets current photo rules
✓ The standard application fee plus the $60 expedited fee
✓ The optional $22.05 return delivery fee if you want faster shipping for your completed passport book
Need help with the paperwork? Use our guides to the passport application process and passport photo requirements.
How Much Do Expedited Passport Services Cost?
The expedited service fee is $60 on top of the normal passport fee. You can also add $22.05 for faster delivery of your completed passport book. This faster delivery option does not apply to passport cards. A $150 file search fee may apply if you need the government to search for proof of your citizenship record.
For most travelers, the key question is not just the expedite fee itself but the full total based on whether you are applying for a first-time adult passport, a renewal, or a minor passport. The tables below break that down clearly.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees involved:
Standard Passport Fees
| Applicant Type | Passport Book Fee | Passport Card Fee | Combined Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (First-time) | $130 + $35 execution fee | $30 + $35 execution fee | $160 + $35 execution fee |
| Adults (Renewal) | $130 | $30 | $160 |
| Minors (Under 16) | $100 + $35 execution fee | $15 + $35 execution fee | $115 + $35 execution fee |
Optional Passport Service Costs
| Service Type | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Expedited Processing | $60 | Reduces processing time to 2–3 weeks. |
| 1–3 Day Delivery | $22.05 | Faster delivery of the completed passport book after it is issued. Not available for passport cards. |
| File Search Fee | $150 | Required when no proof of U.S. citizenship is available. |
Key Payment Information
- Application Fee: Paid to the U.S. Department of State by check or money order.
- Execution Fee: Paid to the passport acceptance facility (post offices or clerk’s offices). Payment methods may include debit cards, credit cards, or cash, depending on the facility.
- Renewals: When renewing by mail or online, only the application fee applies.
What Is the Processing Time for an Expedited Passport?
Expedited passport processing currently takes 2 to 3 weeks, not including mailing time.
- Standard expedited service: Best when you still have a few weeks before departure. Apply normally and add the $60 expedited fee.
- Urgent travel: If you are traveling to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days, you may need a passport agency or center appointment instead of relying on mail processing alone.
- Foreign visa needed soon: If you need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days, you may also need an agency or center appointment.
- Already applied: If your plans changed after you submitted your application, call the National Passport Information Center to ask about upgrading to expedited service or faster delivery for your completed passport book.
- Online renewal: Online renewal is available for some travelers, and if your travel plans change after you apply online, you may be able to request expedited service or faster delivery of your completed passport book.
Use our guides on emergency passports, online passport renewal, and where to apply for a passport if your situation falls outside a standard expedited application.
Evaluating Delivery Options for Expedited Passports
Delivery times are not included in the two to three week processing time estimate. These are the available delivery options:
- Standard Delivery: Uses USPS Priority Mail, included with your application fee.
- The U.S. Department of State states it can take up to two weeks to arrive.
- 1–3 Day Delivery: For faster delivery of your completed passport book after it is issued, you can add $22.05. This option does not apply to passport cards.
It is possible to receive your expedited passport in under three weeks.
To keep informed about the status of your passport application, you can enroll in email updates. Here’s how you can check your status:
- Access the Online Passport Status System: Visit this link and enter your last name (including suffixes and hyphens as applicable), date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
What Does My Passport Application Status Mean?
| Application Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Not Available | Your application is in transit to a passport agency or is experiencing a delay. *In the case that your status remains “Not Available” for more than two weeks, check again later or try re-entering your details. |
| In Process | Your application is under review at a passport agency. The duration depends on the selected service. |
| Approved | Your application has been approved, and your passport is being printed. |
| Passport Mailed | Your passport has been mailed to you with a tracking number provided for a passport book. |
| Supporting Documents Mailed | Your supporting documents, such as birth certificates, have been sent back to you via First Class Mail. |
Planning a Student Trip? Build Passport Timing Into Your Travel Timeline
If you are applying for a passport because of an upcoming student trip, timing matters just as much as cost. A valid passport is often one of the earliest travel requirements families need to handle, and expedited service can be helpful when your departure window is getting tight.
Explore teen tours and 2026 student travel programs if you are comparing trip dates and want to plan around your passport timeline.
Special Circumstances for Expedited Passports
- Emergency Travel:
Emergency passports are available for a life-or-death emergency. These situations require proof of urgency and documentation like travel itineraries and medical or death certificates. Learn more about how to get an emergency passport. - Damaged or Lost Passports:
When your passport is lost or stolen, apply early for a replacement. Submit Form DS-64 along with your application and supporting documents. Read our guide on what to do when your passport is lost or stolen while abroad. - First-Time Applicants:
First-time passport applicants must appear in person and provide certified copies of their documents. - Federal Holidays:
Keep in mind that processing times and appointments may be delayed due to federal holidays. Plan accordingly.
»Additional Resources:
U.S. Territories You Can Visit Without A Passport
Current Travel Restrictions For Americans
Breakdown of Passport Costs
Understanding Blank Visa Page Requirements
3-Month and 6-Month Passport Validity Rules