The Common Law

My passport expired and I need a new one immediately for upcoming travel. What are my options?

Passports – our official ticket to international adventure. But before you travel, there’s actually getting your passport in the first place, which requires planning and patience.

The U.S. State Department reports that routine processing times for a standard passport are 4-6 weeks after receiving the application (you can pay an additional $60 and reduce the processing time to 2-3 weeks). The processing time estimate does not include the time to mail the application or for the passport to be sent to you, so practically, the total time for submittal of the application to receipt of the passport can exceed eight weeks.

The U.S. State Department offers two more expedited ways to get the passport. Each of these options involves making an in-person appointment at a U.S. passport center. The U.S. Department of State runs each passport agency and center and, unfortunately for the last-minute travelers in Central Texas, there is not a passport agency in Austin. Your best bet is to go to a passport center in San Antonio, Houston, or Dallas.

The first expedited option is for “life or death emergencies,” which is when you need to travel in 14 days or less. You can qualify if your immediate family member has died, is dying (hospice care), or has a life-threatening illness. Organize your documentation and make an in-person appointment. Documentation you will need could include a medical certificate or letter (that can be translated to English if needed), proof of intended travel, and completed passport application.

The second option is for “urgent” travel in the upcoming 2-3 weeks. Travelers that fall within the “urgent” category must make an appointment at a passport agency or center.

There may also be private companies that can assist you with getting the expedited passport (these companies usually submit applications and pick up passports for their clients), although they will charge additional fees and are not affiliated with the U.S. government.