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Want Your Passport Faster? Get It Expedited!
You can get a passport application expedited via several routes

By , About.com Guide

During the months when the average wait for a passport or passport renewal was 10- to 12-weeks, I mailed my passport renewal application on a Friday, with the "expedite" fee included, and received the new passport via regular snail mail 10 days later! Pulling the passport application off the government website and choosing the "expedite" option, which costs an extra $60, is money well spent for speed and peace of mind. And, there are even faster ways to get that prized blue document if you’re willing to pay extra.

Ways to Get Your Passport Faster

The U.S. Government offers a route for expediting passport applications and renewals for a $60 fee. Several companies will also “walk” your passport application or passport renewal application through the system and dramatically decrease the time from applying to having that critical travel document in your hands. It costs considerably more, of course. But, when you discover a spouse’s passport has expired and you're leaving for Europe in three weeks, this option becomes much less expensive than cancelling a trip. (Keep in mind, too, that some countries will not let you in if your passport expires within six months of the date you are traveling.)

Where to Go for Detail

You can get your passport faster directly from the U.S. Government by paying an expedite fee and carefully following the directions. You must put “Expedite” on the envelope so the application is routed correctly. It’s also suggested that you include an overnight envelope for the fastest return. For details visit How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry. Specific instructions also will be on the application for your passport or passport renewal.

Here are three companies that expedite passport applications, passport renewals and visas for a fee. The fee depends upon the turn-around time for the document. To learn more about the companies, the length of time in business, their credentials and how to get a passport or visa faster visit RushMyPassport.com or call 866-682-1505; Passport Express or call 800-362-8196; and Passports and Visas.com or call 800-860-8610.

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