In an emergency situation, what is the best way to get a passport renewed: fly to the nearest passport agency or use one of the services? If you go in person, do you get the passport that day?

Here is the official website regarding passports. It will provide you with the necessary instructions to renew:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Usually they take approx. 6 weeks. You can do an expedited and get it in 2 weeks.

There are companies out there that promise a 24 hour processing, but they can be VERY expensive and I don't know how trustworthy they are (someone else will likely know).

Here's a very trustworthy source for 5 day to 1 day renewal. The faster the turnaround, the more expensive of course.

I know 3 locals who have used them for and have been very pleased. This is what they do everyday - and they do it well. A joy to work with as well.

There are different sections of the website for walk-in service and those outside of the local area. Here's a link -
http://www.visalady.us/outside-atlanta-area.html

A friend had her purse containing her passport stolen the day before she was to leave for Europe.

She drove to New Orleans (she was in Atlanta) the next day and had her new passport that afternoon.

I don't remember the details, but I know she replaced passport, credit cards, in record time. She did not use a service.

I think she just missed two days of her trip.

Byrd

institcher - thank you for posting the question.

toedtoes and starrsville have provided such helpful links. I need these for my DH who needs to renew his USA passport that expires in a couple months.

Sandy

How much time do you need?A friend had his back in 5 days.Overnighted the app to the Pennsylvania office.Paid the expedite fee.Included an overnight return.The expedite fee guarantees that the app will be finished by the end of the 3rd business day after they receive it.BUT, there's no guarantee how long it will sit in the "OUT" box in the mail room.Best of luck.

Replacing a stolen passport is a different procedure than renewing a passport.

Usually you can get a stolen passport replaced within a day or two - even the government realizes that replacing a stolen or lost passport while on vacation is an emergency.

The government doesn't feel that renewing an expired passport is really an emergency, so to get a rush processing (less than 2 weeks) usually requires a third party.

If you are renewing a passport that expires in a couple of months, you have time to go through the mail-in procedure. If you are traveling in less than 6 weeks, pay for the expedited processing. The state department website page is
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get...w_833.htmlwait Don't wait to renew! If the passport has expired, even by one day, you have to go through the whole process for a new passport, and pay the extra fees.

Thanks for all the great advice. I've learned that if travel is in 2 wks or less, you can get an appointment (via 24-hr-a-day phone system) at one of the regional centers. Relative called Sat., got appmt for Weds.
I'll post results.

If travel is w/in 2 weeks (proof required), you can get an appmt at one of the regional passport agencies via an automated phone # (877-487-2778). W/required documentation & completed paperwork at the appointment, you can receive the new passport in a few days (or wait several hours to receive it on site).

I needed to get my passport renewed quickly a couple of years ago. Fortunately, I live about 1 hour from the Norwalk, CT agency. You will need proof of travel (itinerary or tickets is adequate), completed paperwork, old passport, and photos.

You need to call ahead for an appointment. If all agencies work the same, I suggest getting a late morning appointment. Norwalk processes all morning applications at the same time, then distributes them at 1 pm and 4 pm. If you get an 11:00 am appt, you can get it taken care of, go have lunch, then come back at 1 pm to get your passport.