Travel is a great thing, but there are plenty of things that can take an anticipated trip and turn it into an absolute nightmare. While many of these things are beyond our control, something like an expired passport can be avoided. If the expiration date on the passport is before the trip that is scheduled in a few weeks, expedited U.S. passport renewal is there to help save the day.

We have all heard the set up before: someone has booked a trip and when it comes time to check their passport, they realize that it has expired and their whole trip is now in jeopardy. Believe it or not, there is no need to panic, even if the trip is right around the corner. There are ways to get a passport in just a few short weeks or even the blink of an eye if necessary.

This is an example of something that happens to people almost every day. Either they didn’t realize that they needed a passport or they haven’t used one in so long that they didn’t realize that it had expired. Passports are only good for ten years, so if the old blue book has some dust on it, it may be time to check the expiration date.

Unlike a first time passport application, a renewal application may be completed by mail. To renew a passport, the applicant must acquire and fill-out form DS-82. The DS-82 form will have detailed, step-by-step, instructions for the passport renewal process. The applicant must mail his or her old passport, and any relevant ID’s or forms, along with the DS-82 for processing. Write “expedited” on the envelope for all expedited passport renewals.

Since the contents of this package are obviously very sensitive in nature, it is important to make sure that the packing is secure. The State Department has on their website that it is best to use Tyvek packaging. The applicant can take it one step further and ship it via overnight mail and pay for the proof of delivery. It will add a little reassurance that the old passport and documents were received safely.

When standard processing is chosen, the delivery time for the renewed passport is about 6 weeks. If this is not quick enough, expedited service can be ordered for an additional $60. It may sound like a lot, but the alternative is to risk not making the trip at all. That can cost thousands in unreturned payments if the trip was prepaid and insurance was not purchased.

The State Department estimates a two to three week turn around on expedited passport applications. Any applicant that needs a passport in less than two weeks, be it a renewal or new application, is encouraged to make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency. Applicants that need to secure a foreign visa in less than four weeks are also encouraged to make an appointment.

There are travel disasters that we can prevent and there are ones that there was simply no way to know that it would happen. Having an expired pasport is our own fault, but expedited U.S. passport renewal can still allow us to save face and enjoy our vacation. It will cost a few more dollars, but the alternative of flushing the entire cost of the trip down the drain will surely make writing out a check for $60 a little easier to take.