The fastest way to get a passport??

[Anonymous]

We went to the Vienna post office on Tuesday. The woman said the State Department website is saying 4-6 weeks, but it's only taking 3 weeks, right now. She said we'll easily have the passport by then, and the original documents within a week of that.

[Anonymous]

Those estimates are very conservative-as everyone is saying. You'll have your passport in time. Don't worry.

[Anonymous]

Go directly to State. The 3rd party services are for people who can't go in person. If you live in DC the fastest method is to go yourself.

Same with Visas, btw. I love living in a city where we can show up at an embassy at the last minute!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you need to expedite. Just go to the post office at 900 Brentwood Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018.

You can walk in with the kids and complete the entire application and photos. It will require a wait but if you get there early you can get it done and have your passports mailed to you in a few short weeks.

Do you know if you can go to this place on a Saturday? I'm not traveling until the end of July so I think I'm ok time-wise. I'd rather not take off work for this though. TIA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go directly to State. The 3rd party services are for people who can't go in person. If you live in DC the fastest method is to go yourself.

Same with Visas, btw. I love living in a city where we can show up at an embassy at the last minute!!

You can't do this unless you are two weeks from traveling with already-purchased tickets.

[Anonymous]

We are traveling internationally in mid-March and I had to renew DD's passport. Your options:

1. Go to the post office and get them to expedite the renewal ($60 plus delivery). It will arrive in about 3 weeks, probably closer to 1.5 weeks (this is what I just did this week).

2. If it's somewhere requiring a visa, you can go in person at the passport agency FOUR WEEKS before you travel (you must have purchased your tickets).

3. If it's somewhere that doesn't require a visa, you can do it in person at the washington passport agency TWO WEEKS or less before you travel (you must have purchased your tickets).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you need to expedite. Just go to the post office at 900 Brentwood Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018.

You can walk in with the kids and complete the entire application and photos. It will require a wait but if you get there early you can get it done and have your passports mailed to you in a few short weeks.

Do you know if you can go to this place on a Saturday? I'm not traveling until the end of July so I think I'm ok time-wise. I'd rather not take off work for this though. TIA

Most post offices offer appointments for passport applications/renewals and most offer Saturday slots.

[Anonymous]

There is no need to use an expediting service when you can expedite at the State Department. I renewed my passport last year with less than two weeks before my trip and it was fine. Make an appointment online and follow the directions.

[Anonymous]

Renewed my passport last month (it was a few weeks prior to expiration). None of the information had changed. It was returned very quickly--I think less than three weeks. I did not pay to have it expedited. DD renewed hers a week later and hers came back even faster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Renewed my passport last month (it was a few weeks prior to expiration). None of the information had changed. It was returned very quickly--I think less than three weeks. I did not pay to have it expedited. DD renewed hers a week later and hers came back even faster.

Where did you renew it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to post office. Pay for expedited service. We got ours in about a week.

Do this. We just had to renew our kids' passports, and got them in less than 3 weeks.

[Anonymous]

if travel is within 2 weeks and your tickets are booked, you can show up at the downtown office and do same day service.

[Anonymous]

Just FYI it's not always super quick. I had an appointment for my DD in December...we still don't have her passport and the passport agency says it could be another two weeks before we get it.

[Anonymous]

Where did you renew it?

By mail. Downloaded the form online. Had photo taken at CVS. Went to the post office and mailed it with the check. Directions are on the State Dept website. It had not expired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just FYI it's not always super quick. I had an appointment for my DD in December...we still don't have her passport and the passport agency says it could be another two weeks before we get it.

Wow, we did my daughter's a few days before Christmas and had it back to us by mid-January. My mom sent hers in mid January for a renewal and had it back two weeks later. They seem to be processing them pretty quickly.