Everything You Need To Know About Getting An Emergency Passport

Whether you have a severe family emergency, an urgent business trip, a damaged passport, or a soon-to-expire one (many countries require 6 months validity), the United States Department of State provides an emergency passport service option at passport centers around the United States. Instead of the normal 4-6 week routine processing time (not including mailing time), an emergency passport can be issued within a few days, but it requires additional documentation, an in-person appointment at an official passport agency or center, and an additional fee. As these situations can be incredibly stressful, rejection-proof your passport application to minimize the chances of your application being rejected when you can't afford to wait.

The fastest way to get a passport for both a life-or-death emergency or an urgent renewal is through the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the State Department. To get your passport, you need to make an appointment online if you haven't applied yet, or by phone at 1-877-487-2778 if you have already applied. Some travelers have shared online that they have been able to renew their passports on the same day at multiple passport offices around the country with an appointment and proof of travel.

If you have an immediate family member (parent, child, sibling, spouse, or grandparent) facing a life-or-death emergency outside of the United States, make sure you have the required documentation, which may include a death certificate, an official letter from the hospital, and a professional English translation (if required). You may schedule your appointment up to two weeks before departure (you will need to show proof of travel).

For other urgent travel within 2-3 weeks, or if you need a visa within 4 weeks, the State Department provides an urgent passport service. You'll need to make an appointment at a passport facility, provide proof of travel, and pay an additional $60 fee in addition to the passport application fee or renewal fee. You can schedule your appointment up to two weeks in advance before your travel date and can pay extra to expedite shipping and delivery.

Two of the scariest words in international travel are "lost passport." Unfortunately, getting a replacement passport outside of the United States is more challenging than back home and involves more time, bureaucracy, and money. Being outside the country means the process is different as well — and will be for each country. In case something does happen, be sure to always carry a copy of your passport with you. 

If you need to quickly replace your lost or stolen passport abroad, you will have to visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in person during business hours. Before you visit, complete a DS-11, as well as a DS-64, and gather as many documents as you can about your identity and U.S. citizenship (a photo of your old passport is fine), as well as take a passport photo and bring your future travel itinerary with you. The fees are the same whether you are applying inside or outside of the United States.

If you lose your passport shortly before departure, note that you can be issued with a non-chip-embedded emergency passport. This passport is normally valid for one year and can normally be issued quickly so you don't miss your flight, but it may not accepted for immigration clearance by some countries. Once you return home, you can exchange your emergency passport for a regular 10-year passport to continue your travels. Note that if you are issued with an emergency passport, you will likely need to jump through additional bureaucratic hoops, such as filing an official police report and visiting an immigration office if you are leaving a country such as Vietnam, India, or Indonesia so protect your passport at all costs.