Expired Passport Emergency Renewal | 4 Conditions

If you have got a big international trip coming up and an expired passport sitting into your travel bag -- and you just have a couple of days until takeoff -- you have got an issue.

But just because everybody's expecting you doesn't mean you can jump to the front of the line and find an expired passport emergency renewal in less than six to eight weeks, the standard turnaround to get a ticket from the country.

Or does it?

Actually, there are certain scenarios where you can get a renewal of an expired passport now, sometimes as little as a couple of hours.

But here's the catch: you must have traveling already booked (with proof), a filled-out passport application with supporting documentation (expired passport or birth certificate), and a 2″ by 2″ color photo in front of a white or off-white background.

And be ready to wait in line and pay an extra $60 on top of the expense of your passport ($110 for a renewal and $145 for a first-time passport).

1. Life-or-Death Emergency

If there's a serious illness, death, or injury on your immediate family and your flight leaves over 72 hours, you have what the Department of State calls for a Life-or-Death Emergency, also it gives you the highest priority.

That means you can call your local Passport Agency and schedule an appointment to meet with an agent and receive your expired passport emergency renewal prior to your imminent flight.

However, you still need to collect a bunch of materials and bring them to your appointment -- such as a filled-out form, a 2″ by 2″ picture, a copy of your ticket and your old passport.

Create one mistake, however, and you could be delivered to the back of this line for a couple more hours, or they may even send you home to return another day if you're missing something big.

And if you don't have a scheduled appointment along with your flight leaves tomorrow and you don't have the time to make one, you better show up early.

That’s because, like the DMV, they’ll serve people with appointments on time, but everyone else receives a number. And if you are not their hours before they open, you may wind up awaiting dozens of people daily rather than catching your flight.

2. Urgent International Travel Plans

If your flight leaves in just two weeks and you don't have a life-or-death scenario, you may still reserve an appointment at the local Passport Agency and get an expired passport emergency renewal.

The catch is that you can't book an appointment over two months out from your trip date, so make certain that you're not phoning your local Passport Agency too premature since they'll just tell you to phone back later.

You can, however, try your luck by showing up sans-appointment in a Passport Agency, but there aren't any guarantees.

Even if you're among the very first in line, a simple mishap like a lost piece of documentation or an unacceptable photo can hold up your renewal of an expired U.S. passport.

And even if everything's perfect, a stubborn agent might not take too kindly to someone skirting the rules and block your own renewal.

3. You Would Rather Not Wait

If you are like most people and you'd simply rather not wait the few months it can take to receive a new passport in the email -- more if it gets lost or there's some kind of hang-up -- you can apply for an Expedited Passport in San Antonio for emergency renewal at a passport acceptance facility or via the mail.

The best part is that you don't want a motive to expedite, and you also don't need proof of traveling or even actual travel plans at all; you can expedite your passport simply because you do not want to go through the regular channels and wait forever.

That all sounds good until you understand you want a different form than what's needed by a normal passport renewal, and it is not clear how much time it'll actually take – the Department of State claims under six to eight weeks. Typically, it's understood that a "typical" expedited renewal may take a couple of weeks, to use this approach, but you will not be provided a shipping date, and items might get lost in the mail.

The kicker is that your passport will be sent through First Class Mail unless you pay for a 1-2 day delivery service on top of the $60 expedite fee and the $110 passport renewal application fee.

4. The Non-Emergency Expired Passport Emergency Renewal

But in the event that you really don't want to wait -- and you do not have an emergency however you really do have tickets and travel programs -- you can attempt what we call the expired passport emergency renewal for non-emergencies.

It works in this way.

Gather all your materials, including a copy of your ticket, a filled-out passport renewal application, your old passport or a birth certificate, a correctly-sized color photograph and enough money to cover all the fees, and bring everything to the closest Passport Agency.

Keep in mind, however, there are just a few Passport Agencies nationwide, so even if there is one in your state -- many states have none -- you may have to travel and reserve a hotel to make this work.

The idea is that you want to be first (or near first) in line when they start but give yourself a few hours' buffers here. Trust us; if they start at eight, show up at five or six.

And if you are in the front of the line when the doors open and also you receive a helpful agent, you could be walking out of the Passport Agency with a brand new passport. Just consider those places you can go to!

But not so quickly. If they've got a lot of appointments or you are missing the smallest little thing, you're out of luck, and you'll have to return another day.

Allow the Passport Office Help

Here in The Texas Passport Center, we can help you to get an expedited passport renewal without all the fuss.

We have helped tens of thousands of travelers just like you jump the traces, confusing forms, and complicated picture requirements by helping you through each step of an expired passport crisis renewal.

And if you're missing anything, we will courteously walk you through it. Just check out our easy-to-use passport renewal program type or click or call today to determine how we can assist you!