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Getting your government-issued documents can be a challenging and unusual process. It’s not every day you have to face a bureaucratic worker! We’re also used to things being instant and automated, so getting out of your house to submit your application, getting it accepted (or in some unfortunate cases — rejected), and waiting for processing can be frustrating.
Sure, applying for passports is not (and judging by its importance — probably should not be) so quick. However, you can speed up the process by following the tips we cover in this article.
Tip 1: check if you are eligible for an electronic passport renewal
The first tip is for renewals only, so it does not apply to those applying for a first-time passport. If you fulfill all the eligibility criteria, you may be able to renew your passport electronically, without leaving the comfort of your own home! The requirements are as follows:
- Your most recent passport is/was valid for 10 years;
- You are at least 25 years of age;
- Your recent passport was issued over 9 years but less than 15 years ago from the date of application submission. That means between 2008 to 2014;
- You are not changing any personal details: your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth;
- You are not traveling internationally and need your passport for at least six weeks from the date of submission;
- You are applying for a regular passport (not diplomatic, official, or service);
- You live in a state or territory of the United States;
- You have your undamaged passport and have not previously reported it as lost or stolen.
To do so, you will have to apply on the MyTravelGov platform. Note that the platform is currently in trial mode, so slots for renewals are currently limited.
Tip 2: take your passport photo at home & print it at the nearest pharmacy
Our second tip is another approach entirely: making your process as smooth as possible. By addressing the one challenge all passport application processes have in common, we hope to provide you with a universal tip.
You need a passport photo fulfilling all standardized U.S. passport photo parameters whether you’re applying for the first time, renewing, in person, by mail, or online. This is why the photo can be an unexpected stumbling block in passport applications, which makes the overall ordeal longer.
But if you take your photo at home according to the passport photo guidelines, process it using a professional passport photo editor, and then print the photo files yourself, you can kill two birds with one stone: you get the photos quicker and can be sure that you’re not about to submit a non-compliant photo.
Don’t have a printer? No worries, you can also print it at your nearest pharmacy. Even without a printer at home, using this approach can save you time compared to getting your photo done at a studio.
Tip 3: try expedited services
The third tip can also be universal, but the point is different: if our second tip makes the process smoother on your end, this one is about hurrying the process up.
You can expedite your process whether you’re applying for the first time (through an acceptance facility) or renewing (by mail). In both cases, an additional $60 fee is applicable. The processing time for expedited services is 3 to 5 weeks. Don’t forget to mark mail-in applications’ envelopes as EXPEDITE.
Find the detailed guideline on how to get your passport expedited here.
Tip 4: track your application status
This tip doesn’t speed up your application per se but can help you ensure that your application is processed within the correct timeframes. This can help you with peace of mind, especially if you need your passport urgently to plan accordingly.
If you applied in person or by mail, track your application status through the U.S. Passport Application Status page. Here, you will need to input your last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number.
If you applied online, check your application status through MyTravelGov, where you applied.
Tip 5: purchase Priority Mail Express for faster delivery
The last tip is about hurrying the delivery up. How quickly you get your passport doesn’t just depend on you and the Department of State, it also depends on the delivery service.
Using USPS’ Priority Mail Express, you can get your application delivered to be processed in up to 2 days. You can also track your shipment to make sure that your mail is being delivered on time.
Mailing fees depend on where you’re sending from and the shipping address and start at $28.75.
Photo by Levi Ventura on Unsplash