To get an emergency passport, you must have immediate international travel needs, such as a trip within 14 days, a foreign visa requirement within 28 days, or a life-or-death emergency requiring travel within three days. The process involves scheduling an appointment at a passport agency, providing proof of urgency, and following strict State Department guidelines.
Here’s what you need to know to secure your passport on time.
Urgent passport services are intended for travelers who have confirmed international travel plans within 14 days or who must obtain a foreign visa within the next 28 days. To apply for an urgent passport, you need to make an appointment at one of the 26 passport agencies or centers in person only.
These appointments can be very competitive, so even if you meet the criteria to apply, there is no guarantee that you will be able to get an appointment. Learn more about visiting one of the 26 existing passport agencies.
**When using a registered courier company, they can deliver the documents on your behalf. However, if you are applying for a first time passport or a minor under 16 using form DS-11, you will still need to visit a passport acceptance facility in person before your documents can be sent to a passport agency.
Learn more about How to Get a U.S. Passport in Two Weeks or Less
The cost for an urgent passport includes the regular application fee of $130 plus extra fees. Additional fees include a $60 expedite fee and $21.36 fee for expedited return shipping as needed. The maximum cost is $211.36, exactly the same as the cost of applying for an expedited passport by mail or at a passport acceptance facility.
Emergency passports are issued in situations where an individual must travel internationally within three business days due to a life-or-death emergency involving an immediate family member (parent, child, spouse, sibling, or grandparent).
| Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m (ET). | 1-877-487-2778 |
| Emergencies after 8:00 p.m. (ET) on Monday through Friday, or Weekends & Federal Holidays | 202-647-4000 |
Learn more about How To Apply For a Passport: How to Apply for a Passport?
The fastest you can reliably get an emergency passport is two to three days. Same-day passport issuance is rare and depends on agency workload and appointment availability.
If your passport is lost or stolen while traveling, you must:
A police report is helpful and recommended, but not absolutely required. Additionally, if you are unable to provide all of the required documents, the embassy or consulate will do their best to help your specific situation.
Many countries, including France, Belgium, Netherlands, and the UAE do not accept emergency passports. These passports are typically valid for only one year and are intended to be replaced with a full-validity passport upon return to the U.S.
The passport’s limited validity can also cause issues when applying for visas and the expiration period can quickly go below the common six months needed by many countries. It is essential to check with the specific country if you are attempting to continue your travels after receiving a limited-validity passport.
See also: What Countries Americans Can’t Travel to Right Now
While it is technically possible to receive a passport within one day under certain emergency conditions, such as life-or-death situations or immediate travel after reporting a lost or stolen passport abroad, it is generally unlikely. Appointments and documentation must align perfectly, and the capability to issue a passport on the same day can depend heavily on the specific passport agency’s policies and workload.
You might get unlucky and be unable to renew or get a passport before your scheduled departure. Thankfully, not all hope is lost as there are destinations that do not require a U.S. passport to visit.
Renew Your U.S. Passport Easily Before Your Trip
Understanding U.S. Passport Fees
How To Get A Passport In 14 Days Or Less
How Long to Get a Passport
Quintin Willekens is a cross-cultural education and sustainable travel expert with first-hand experience in 20+ countries and eight years in South Korea. Holding a Business Sustainability degree (Summa Cum Laude, Arizona State University), he applies sustainable development principles to international education and travel. With three years as an educator across K-12 and university levels, he guides students and families on cross-border education, visas, and safety. Quintin develops cross-cultural training programs and contributes to international tourism platforms, offering trusted guidance on student mobility, responsible travel, and global study preparation.