How to Get a Passport for Urgent Travel

The flight is in two weeks, the expedite fee has been paid, and the passport has not moved. Expedited service and an in person appointment are separate tiers, and which one applies is decided by how far away the travel date is.

Match the travel date to a service tier

The urgent travel page sets out four options by travel date: routine service for travel 6 weeks or more away, expedited service for travel in less than 6 weeks, an appointment at a passport agency or center for urgent travel in less than 2 to 3 weeks, and an emergency appointment for a life-or-death case within 14 days. It adds that mailing can add up to 2 weeks and that appointment slots may not be available right away.

Add the expedite fee if the trip is weeks out

As of September 2026, the passport fees page lists $60 for expedited service on top of the application fee, and $23.36 for 1 to 3 day return delivery. As of the same date, the processing times page gives expedited processing as 2 to 3 weeks and routine as 4 to 6 weeks, excluding mailing time. The urgent travel page notes expedited service can be added at an acceptance facility or to a renewal sent by mail, while the online renewal page says online renewals cannot be expedited.

Request an appointment at a passport agency

The passport agency appointment page states that agencies and centers accept appointments for urgent international travel in the next 14 calendar days, or 28 days when a foreign visa is needed, and lists 29 locations. It directs anyone who has not yet applied to the Online Passport Appointment System, which asks for travel details, then emails and texts a verification code before releasing a slot. Anyone who already applied is told to call the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern and weekends 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It also says appointments are never charged for.

Bring printed proof of international travel

Each agency page lists what to bring. The New York Passport Agency page names a printed appointment confirmation, printed proof of international travel such as a flight receipt or itinerary, or a hotel reservation, cruise ticket, or international car insurance for a land trip, the completed form, original citizenship evidence and photo ID plus photocopies, a passport photo, and the fees by card.

Use the emergency route for a life-or-death case

The life-or-death emergencies page limits that route to travel abroad within the next 2 weeks because an immediate family member outside the United States has died, is dying or in hospice, or has a life-threatening illness or injury. It defines immediate family as parents or guardians, children, spouses, siblings, and grandparents, asks for a death certificate or a signed letter on hospital letterhead plus proof of travel, and gives 202-647-4000 outside weekday hours.

If an application is already in the system. Find the locator number through the application status tool first, since the appointment page says its first two digits identify the agency holding the file.

Sources. Urgent Travel, Make an Appointment, Appointment System, New York Agency, Life-or-Death Emergencies, Passport Fees, Processing Time, Renew Online, Application Status.