Anyone who has the tendency to lose things knows that losing a passport usually happens at the worst possible time. The bags are packed, the travel clothes are ready for the drive to the airport, and then the realization sets in that the lost passport is nowhere to be found. The stress begins to mount and in the blink of the eye, a peaceful upcoming vacation turns into a situation that causes a meltdown.

A lost passport can be replaced via the normal method of going to the Post Office and going through their procedures. The only issue with that is that their normal time frame for replacement is about 8 weeks for the standard service and 4 weeks for the expedited one. This does not bode well for the traveler that needs to leave immediately or even sooner.

There are other alternatives available and they may be found by doing an Internet search. Private service providers offer replacement passport processing within one to two business days. The paperwork required is essentially the same, with the exception of one or two forms that the private company may require for indemnification purposes. These companies do charge an additional fee over what the government charges, but it is a small price to pay for having a new passport when necessary.

The provider Web sites contain detailed instructions regarding all additional identifying documentation that must be provided. The applicant should print out these instructions and use them as a checklist in order to gather and photocopy the necessary documents. The passport application, which may also be found on the provider sites, should then be completed.

The identifying documents that are required include a birth certificate from the city, county, or state in which the individual was born. Certified copies that do not contain the entity’s official seal will not be accepted. Therefore, obtaining the proper type of birth certificate is something that must be done prior to being able to get a new passport.

A driver’s license is the next piece of identification that will be needed and this must be at least 6 months old or more. If this is not available to the individual, for whatever reason, there are secondary forms of identification that may be used. These consist of a wide range of things, but the common thread is that one must contain a picture and one a signature, even if they are separate documents. It is also possible that other forms of proof will be required such as a utility bill or even a high school diploma.

Other items will need to be provided in order to complete the process. These will include things like proof of departure, such as a plane ticket, printed travel itinerary, or a letter from an employer showing the need for immediate travel. There will also be a need to have new photos taken and these will need to meet the guidelines for passport pictures being 2” by 2” in size along with being identical.

Once everything is gathered, photocopied, and completed as necessary, it should be sent out as one package via a traceable mailing method like FedEx or UPS. To speed receipt, the package may be sent via next day air service. This will enable the quickest processing period for replacement of a Lost United States Passport. A new pasports will be mailed to applicants whose stress-free vacations may then begin.