We were two weeks away from our first international trip as a family of four and we still did not have my son's first passport.
I am going to share our experience obtaining a same-day passport and how you can do the same for your little one.
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes, urgent travel plans pop up out of the blue. In our case, our travel plans were not last-minute, but passport processing was taking up to 3 months! Let me walk you through the steps I took to get my son's passport quickly--same day, in fact!
How to Qualify for Urgent Travel
You qualify for Urgent Travel Same-Day Passport services if you are traveling internationally within 14 calendar days or need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days. Even though we had submitted an expedited passport application months in advance, my son's passport was still not going to arrive on time, so we qualified for Urgent Travel services.
Step 1: Make an Appointment
First things first, to ensure a smooth and speedy process, you need to make an appointment at a passport agency. We called the number that is listed on the U.S. Department of State Travel Website two weeks before our flight. The phone number is 1-877-487-2778 and you can call anytime between 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, Mon-Fri, except federal holidays.
Please keep in mind that appointment availability varies by location and season. Even though we called two weeks before our flight, the soonest available appointment was the day of our flight. I met people that had to fly to Los Angeles from San Francisco and others that traveled to San Diego from Los Angeles to get an appointment before their travels.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Before heading out to the agency, gather all the necessary documents to support your application. You'll need a birth certificate, a completed DS-11 form, a recent passport photo, proof of relationship to your child (you can use child's birth certificate for this also), a valid photo ID for yourself and proof of travel. Proof of travel can be a print out of your flight confirmation page. Make sure you have physical documents and copies of everything--screenshots and pictures on your phone will not be accepted.
Step 3: Arrive Prepared
Make sure to dress comfortably and arrive at the agency earlier than your appointment time. Don't forget to bring a book or a magazine to keep yourself entertained during waiting periods. I arrived at 8AM and left the passport agency at 3PM. Lines can get a long, so trust me when I say, as long as you arrive prepared to to your appointment, you have nothing to worry about.
Step 4: Verification and Submission
Once it's your turn, an agent will verify your appointment details and documents. They'll guide you through the process, ensuring you have filled out all the forms correctly.
Step 5: Payment and Express Fee
Next, you'll pay the required passport fees. In addition to the regular passport fee, you'll need to pay an expedited service fee. The agent will provide you with the exact amount, so be prepared to make the payment. You can use the fee calculator if you want to have a better idea of what you will have to pay at your same-day passport appointment.
Step 6: Processing Time
This is the part where you sit tight, but not literally. Your application will be processed on an urgent basis and depending on the workload and complexity of your case, it might take a couple of hours. Be patient and utilize this time to grab some food, plan your upcoming travel itinerary or simply relax. We finished submitting the documents and payments at 10AM and our pickup appointment was at 1:30PM.
Step 7: Passport Pickup
Once your passport is ready, you'll be called up to collect it. Double-check all the details to ensure accuracy, as mistakes can delay your travel plans. Let out a sigh of relief knowing that you are finally ready to embark on an exciting journey!
Things I Would Do Differently
If I could go back in time, I would have changed our flights ahead of time. Even though I had an early appointment, I was still the last one out of the passport agency and we ended up having to change our flight last-minute anyway. Another regret I have was arriving to pickup my passport two hours before my pickup time. Some people had later pickup times and they got theirs before I did. Arriving early did not make a difference because I was still the last person to get a passport that day.
Conclusion:
And just like that, you can obtain a same-day passport for your little traveler. While the process may seem overwhelming at first, remember that the passport agency is there to assist you every step of the way. So, whether it's an unexpected family celebration or a spontaneous adventure, don't let time constraints hold you back! With the right preparation and a dash of patience, you'll be off on your travel escapade in no time. Feel free to check out my TikTok and Instagram Reel I filmed throughout this experience.
Please ensure to check the current regulations and requirements for obtaining a same-day passport, as they may vary by country and region. You can check up-to-date information on the U.S. Department of State website.
Happy Travels,
-PerlaGiselle
Glad you were able ti get this sorted quickly. Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteGemma x
www.jacquardflower.uk
I appreciate it! I hope this helps someone!
DeleteThis post is very interesting and useful!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I missed visiting your blog.
https://www.heyimwiththeband.com.br/
You are so sweet Valeria! I missed reading your blog too!
DeleteWow what a struggle but you got it done gracefully. Thanks for the tips I find them helpful.
ReplyDeleteAwww you are so kind! Thank you!
DeleteGlad you were able to get the passport in the same day in the end for your trip, hope it went well! :)
ReplyDeleteYes! We worked so hard and everything turned out perfectly.
DeleteThat must have been very stressful, but I'm glad you were able to get the passport on the same day in the end.
ReplyDeleteJulia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
I was trying to remain positive all day. Thank you for the support!
DeleteThanks for sharing. We need to apply for new passports for the kids at the end of the month.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I hope you are able to get them quickly!
DeleteThanks for letting me know the ins and out of getting a same day passport. I hope I never have to try! Lol!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Yes! Let's hope you never need these services lol
DeleteOh wow! Thanks for sharing your experience, Perla! Talk about cutting it close:) So happy to hear it all worked out though. I don't know if it's the same process here in Canada, but that's good to know it can be done:)
ReplyDeletePS Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog and for watching the vids:) XOXO Have a great weekend!
Oh yes! I still can't believe we were able to get it so close to our flight! I'm sure the process is better in Canada! Lol. It was my pleasure seeing your videos!
DeleteI didn't even know you could do this! Very cool to know!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
curlycraftymom.com
I'm hoping more people learn that this is an option!
DeleteWow this sounds super stressful but this information is super helpful. I had renew passport last year but luckily I had my current pass port so it was not too difficult. So glad you got it sorted!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
It was so stressful, but I also knew it was going to work out. Thank you Allie!
DeleteWow you must have been so stressed! I am so glad you sorted it all out. These are great tips for anyone who is in the same situation xx
ReplyDeleteJanet
www.rediscoveringmystyle.com
Yes, I hope I am able to help someone out with this post.
DeleteSo many of my friends have had problems with their passports not arriving in time! It makes it so stressful leading up to travel day..ugh..
ReplyDeleteShauna
www.lipglossandlace.net
Yes! Processing times are ridiculously long. It took me by surprise.
DeleteThis is such great information! Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure! I hope it helps someone out!
DeleteThis is fantastic. Thanks for sharing it. Cris Santos
ReplyDeletehttps://www.photosbycris.com.au/when-women-inspire/
Thank you for reading!
DeleteBy the way, if you are able to read this. I am having issues with your page loading. Hopefully it gets fixed soon!
DeleteI didn't known... such a helpful post, thanks for sharing Perla!
ReplyDeleteKisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
My Instagram
Thank you for stopping by Paola!
DeleteConfrontend to how complicated and how long is to obtain the passport here in Italy this sounds easy peasy! Just the processing time here is usually from 3 to 6 months!
ReplyDeleteAnyway I'm happy to hear that you managed all in time!
XO
S
https://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com
Wow! That is a long time. I guess it's not as bad then lol
DeleteIt's good that everything worked out for you to get a passport for your little guy though an expedited process. Thanks for sharing your experience and tips Perla!
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe how lucky we got lol. I just hope someone learns from my experience.
DeleteGreat tips! It's so helpful to be prepared with an appointment and necessary paperwork. I'm glad everything worked out!
ReplyDeleteYes, the sooner the better!
DeleteWow! That is stressful. But its amazing to know that we can obtain passport of the same day. I don't think it is possible in all countries though. :-)
ReplyDeleteVia | https://glossnglitters.com
You are right. It's likely not offered everywhere.
DeleteYour post on obtaining an urgent same-day passport is a lifesaver for anyone in need of quick travel documentation! Your detailed guide and tips provide invaluable information on navigating the process efficiently. It's great to know that there are options available for urgent passport situations. Thanks for sharing this helpful resource and ensuring that our travel plans can go smoothly even in unexpected circumstances!
ReplyDeleteCandice x
theblogsocial.com
Thank you for stopping by, Candice. I hope this post is useful for some.
DeleteHey Perlita! Hope everything is going well on your side!
ReplyDeleteMe alegra mucho ver tu contenido por aquà de nuevo porque puedo leer tus experiencias, ver tus fotos (las cuales son súper bonitas), etc.
Luckily you managed to sort out this problem, sometimes passports could take months to arrive but at least you found this way and there are many situations where you just can do things with time.... life is life. But happy to read that you culd travel with your little ones.
I am sure this will be helpful for some other people.
Take care friend!
Pablo
Hey Fungi
Hola Pablo. Siempre es un placer. La verdad no sabia que tardaba tanto lo del pasaporte pero me siento suertuda. Aun no puedo creer que alcanzamos hacer todo justo a tiempo
Deleteurgent travel be fun but stressful too. Nice post
ReplyDeletehttps://www.melodyjacob.com/2023/06/two-piece-black-maxi-dress-with-outer-cape.html
Yes, it can be stressful, but worth it!
DeleteThese are great tips. International travel hasn't been smooth for us last year. Your experience will help many.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thatseptembermuse.com/
I am so sorry to hear that! I hope your next trip is better!
Delete