There are many reasons someone may need to get a rush passport and most have no time to waste when attempting this. A family emergency out of the country or even a business trip that needs to happen on short notice can bring up the need for getting a passport quickly. The regular channels can take up to 8 weeks to process and their shortest time is usually four, so this is not usually a good option when time is of the essence.

A rush passport can be obtained in as little as 1 to 2 business days by using one of the many online services available. These services help to expedite the application process and get the new passport back to an individual in record time. There is of course, a fee for this that can be as high as $300.00, depending on the time frame given for the new passport.

In order to use such a service, the applicant will need to follow the instructions on the company’s Web site. The standard government DS-11 passport application may be downloaded directly from the company’s or the government agency’s Web site. These sites also contain instructions for completing the application and they provide answers to relevant frequently asked questions.

The applicant will need to provide specific documents testifying to citizenship in order to obtain a passport. A certified birth certificate from the city, county, or state of birth is one of the acceptable forms of documentation. The birth certificate must have an official seal and must contain the date the birth was registered with the municipality.

The applicant also needs to provide documents that substantiate identity. A valid driver’s license may be used. Alternatively, an applicant may provide a secondary form of identification. A city, state, or federal government or military ID card or a professional license may be provided to meet this requirement. The company and government Web sites contain a list of other acceptable documents.

Once all the paperwork has been put together and all necessary copies made, the service provider will request that it all be sent to one of their offices for processing. This should be done by a private carrier such as FedEx or UPS. This not only ensures that the paperwork all gets there safely and in the shortest time possible. It also allows for it to be tracked the entire trip, reducing the chance of vital personal information being lost or misplaced.

The fees that are required in order to accomplish this will need to be sent in two separate amounts. The governmental fee will need to be made out to them and the fee to the service, designated for their use. These should be in the form of a personal check, certified check or money order as cash is not accepted.

Take advantage of those last-minute travel deals abroad, but be sure to set aside some extra money to get a rush passport if necessary. With an online U.S. passport service, there will be no worry that the passport will not arrive prior to departure. The traveler will be free to focus on packing, finding a sitter for the dog, and arranging to get to the airport for the vacation of a lifetime.