Quickest options for fast fast passport?

[Anonymous]

Several years ago, I had to renew my passport on very short notice and was able to do it in 2 days using a commercial service in Dupont Circle. I now need to get a brand new passport for my infant son. I am willing to pay extra fees. Is there a commercial service that does this?

[Anonymous]

I believe that if you walk it to the passport office downtown, they can do it in 3 or so days.

[Anonymous]

If you can prove that you are leaving the country within two weeks, you can get an appointment at the passport office on 19th Street, NW. If you are leaving in less than two weeks, you can do it as a walk in without an appointment.

To get the passport, you need two passport photos, original birth certificate, original proof of US citizenship (which will be the birth certificate if your child was born in the US), your airline tickets or itinerary that shows your child is booked on a flight or some sort of transport out of the country. Both parents need to go. I think there is a way to get a passport without both parents going, but I'm not sure how that works.

You pay an extra fee to get it expedited, but it wasn't that high when I did it back in January.

You can pick up your passport the following day.

[cmkeough]

FYI - I went to the post office in N. Arlington in December for one daughter (new passport) and didn't expedite at all and received the passport in 7 to 8 days total. When I went again for another daughter in May or June (can't recall) we also went to the post office (same one) and got the second passport back in less than 10 days (I wasn't counting then). It was funny too since there was another couple at the counter asking when they would receive theirs for their children and when I told them it didn't take long the postal lady said "Shhhhh". ;o)

But FWIW I agree with the other PP's that either walk in or expedited service may be the route to get depending upon when you're traveling.

Safe travels!

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. I got my infant's new passport in about a week and my renewal a few months later in less than a week. We just went to the post office. Go to www.usps.com and they list the post offices that do passports.

[Anonymous]

Both parents have to be there in person for a minor or you have to bring a power of attorney. My husband and I just went together - easier.

[Anonymous]

Just got my son's new passport. Took exactly one week. No expediting.

[Anonymous]

We got my daughter's in a couple of hours at the office downtown. She was leaving that day. We just had to bring proof of travel.