Urgent Travel: Same-Day Passport Adventure

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