The freedom to go where you want, when you want, is a major perk of the digital nomad lifestyle. But what happens when you need to renew your U.S. passport? You cannot travel internationally with an expired passport, and many countries won’t let you enter if your passport will expire within six months.
According to the State Department, the estimated wait time for standard renewal currently stands at 6-8 weeks, and even expedited shipping takes 2-3 weeks. Fortunately, there’s a better way for those who can’t wait around.
This guide will walk you through the little-known process of securing a same-day passport. Let’s dive in and discover how to turn your passport renewal from a stressful ordeal into a quick pit stop on your nomad journey.
Where you can get a same-day passport
The U.S. State Department operates 26 regional passport agencies and centers around the country where you can renew/apply in person. Visitation is by appointment only (no walk-ins) for eligible travelers who have urgent travel needs within 14 days.
Who is eligible for a same-day passport?
There are only two circumstances under which applicants are eligible for same-day passport service.
- Life or death: An immediate family member abroad (parent, child, spouse, sibling, or grandparent) has died, is in hospice care, or suffered a life-threatening medical event. You will need to provide a death certificate or a letter from a hospital signed by a doctor.
- Urgent travel: You have international travel booked within the next two weeks.
How to obtain a fast passport
Step 1: Make an appointment
You can use the State Department’s online portal or call 1-877-487-2778 to book your appointment. You will be asked for your travel date and location preference for the passport center. At the end of the call, you will be provided with a confirmation code that you must bring on the day of your appointment.
Step 2: Fill out applicable forms
You can use the passport form wizard to identify and fill out the correct form for your situation.There are four primary forms used for applying for a U.S. passport, each catering to different situations:
- Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport (Most Common)
- Use this form if you are:
- Applying for your first adult passport.
- A minor under 16 years old (requires a parent or guardian to apply on their behalf).
- Do not meet the requirements to renew your passport (explained below).
- Use this form if you are:
- Form DS-82: Renewal Application (For Eligible Applicants)
- This form is for renewing an existing U.S. passport if you meet all the following criteria:
- Your current passport is undamaged.
- It was issued within the past 10 years (15 years for children under 16 when issued).
- You were at least 16 years old when your current passport was issued.
- You haven’t legally changed your name since your current passport was issued.
- This form is for renewing an existing U.S. passport if you meet all the following criteria:
- Form DS-5504: Data Corrections, Some Name Changes, and Limited-Validity Passports
- Use this form for specific situations like:
- Correcting minor errors on your existing passport (e.g., typos).
- Reporting a lost or stolen passport that you’ve since recovered (with limitations).
- Requesting a passport with a limited validity period due to medical emergencies or imminent travel.
- Applying for a name change on your passport that reflects a legal name change through marriage, divorce, or court order.
- Use this form for specific situations like:
- Form DS-64: Reporting Your Valid Passport Lost or Stolen
- This form is used to report a lost or stolen U.S. passport. You’ll typically need to submit this form along with Form DS-11 (application for a new passport) when replacing a lost or stolen document.
Step 3: Take your passport photo
The State Department maintains strict requirements for passport photos. In general, you should follow these guidelines:
- Size: 2 inches (51 mm) wide by 2 inches (51 mm) long.
- Recent: Taken within the past 6 months.
- Color: In full color.
- Background: Plain white or off-white background.
- Full Face View: Looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression (no smiling or frowning).
- Head Position: Head must be centered in the frame and facing straight ahead.
- Head Covering: Generally not allowed, except for religious purposes (a medical certificate may be required for some exceptions).
- Eyes: Both eyes must be open and fully visible.
- Glasses: Acceptable if you wear them every day, but there are restrictions on glare and frames.
- Headwear: Not allowed, except for religious purposes (a medical certificate may be required for some exceptions).
- Clothing: Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and avoid busy patterns.
- Resolution: High resolution to ensure clarity. Photos printed on photo-quality paper are preferred.
You can have your photo taken at a passport acceptance center (library, post office, etc.) or a pharmacy such as CVS or Walgreens. It may be a good idea to call ahead and make sure that the store’s equipment is functioning, and that an employee on-site knows how to use it. Expect to pay $15-$20 for printed photos.
Step 4: Obtain proof of your travel plans
The “urgent travel” reason is most applicable to digital nomads that can’t wait in one place for 6-8 weeks. To justify making an appointment at a passport agency, you will need to provide proof of international travel booked within 14 calendar days. You will need to show a flight receipt with a confirmation number (or a hotel reservation/cruise ship tickets in the event of travel by car or ship).
What if your travel is more than 14 days away?
You can obtain temporary proof by booking a refundable flight, or by using an onward ticket service to “rent” a ticket for a specified period of time. Onward travel services, such as Onward Ticket, provide documentation that you have a planned flight to/from a specified destination. These are real tickets, complete with confirmation number, that are automatically refunded after a set period of time, usually 24-48 hours.
Step 5: Arrive for your appointment and pay
U.S. passport agencies and centers are housed in federal office buildings, so be prepared to go through a security screening. Allow yourself time to find parking.
Don’t forget your confirmation number. Be sure to print all required documents for your appointment, including the form, photos, and travel proof. The fee will include the normal $130 for passport renewal, plus an additional $60 for the expedited service and $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery (total of $209.53). Credit cards, checks, and digital wallet payments such as Apple Pay are excepted. If paying with cash, no change will be given, so make sure that you bring the exact amount