Fastest way to get a u.s. passport

September 29, 2006 6:23 AM

HELP! What is fastest way to get a U.S.Passport?

Before the flight, I couldn't find my passport.
How do I get a new U.S. Passport? Cost not a factor at this time.
I am near Chicago area.

posted by curiousleo to Travel & Transportation (19 answers total)

Response by poster: i am about 4hrs away from chicago
posted by curiousleo at 6:24 AM on September 29, 2006

Call the US Embassy.
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:28 AM on September 29, 2006

How to get your passport in a hurry
posted by fixedgear at 6:29 AM on September 29, 2006

Response by poster: I found serveral website for 24hr service
but which one is more dependable? any suggestions?

also where do get one of the following

Certificate of Naturalization Certificate
Certificate of Citizenship

I was not born in us..... so i will need one of above to get that fast service according to some websites..
posted by curiousleo at 6:29 AM on September 29, 2006

Well, if you were naturalized, hopefully they gave you a Certificate of Naturalization. If you became a citizen, they gave you a Certificate of Citizenship. If you're neither, then you can't get a US Passport, fast or otherwise. Maybe you should be asking what the fastest way to get a [country where you're a citizen] passport.
posted by Plutor at 6:53 AM on September 29, 2006

I think the page fixedgear linked to is for getting a new (or renewed) passport in a hurry. Curiousleo has lost his passport, which is a different story, so I think the page he'd be interested in is this one. There's a phone number on that page--I'd try calling them.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:54 AM on September 29, 2006

DevilsAdvocate: If you read the page you linked to, Lost or Stolen Passports in the U.S., you see it still tells you have to do the normal process for obtaining a new password.

Yes, curiousleo has to report the passport as lost, still should follow fixedgear's procedures for obtaining a password as quickly as possible it appears.

Now, if curiousleo has lost their Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization, it appears that How Do I Replace My Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization? is the page to go to.
posted by skynxnex at 7:01 AM on September 29, 2006

I should add, curiousleo, since you're in a hurry you should probably start calling numbers at the State Department among other agencies. Just get you started, the number for lost passwords from DevilsAdvocate's page is [phone].

Also, you mention finding several websites and are asking about how dependable they are. I'm pretty sure that only the US State Department has any part in issuing passports.

As Passport Agencies page (which is worth reading) says,

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT AT A PASSPORT AGENCY. CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT PAY ANYONE OR ANY BUSINESS MAKING SUCH A CHARGE.

I would probably only deal with the State Department for a new passport and whatever agancy you need to contact to replace your other documents if need be. Not any private companies.

If you want to go in person rather than do express mail two ways (which I assume may add a day to total processing time), you probably will need to visit the Chicago Passport Agency. Call them as well once you've figured out your situtation and see if you can make an appointment for today if you can.
posted by skynxnex at 7:10 AM on September 29, 2006

curiousleo, I lost my passport recently, and looked into those expensive 24 hour services. Luckily for you, Chicago is the home of a Regional Passport Agency - making an appointment there is the quickest way to replace a lost passport (I've heard they will print it up and hand it to you), if you are travelling within the next two weeks. Those 24 hour services are just couriers that walk your papers through the RPA, and the US Passport agency strongly discourages using a courier service.

If you are travelling in more than two weeks, follow the instructions on the page fixedgear linked to. Note: You must follow the instructions on How to Apply in Person for a Passport.
posted by muddgirl at 7:18 AM on September 29, 2006

If you are a naturalized citizen and have lost your citizenship documentation, then you should probably talk to the state department about your case. It says here that it may take up to a year to get a new Naturalization Certificate.

IF YOU ARE A US CITIZEN WHO WAS BORN ABROAD, then you should have some sort of Certificate of Birth. You need some sort of proof that you are a US citizen to get a US Passport.
posted by muddgirl at 7:38 AM on September 29, 2006

Go to the Passport Agency once you've solved your certificate problem. It's the easiest thing ever. (I've done it twice!) The most important advice I can give about this is: Get a morning appointment. You are a million times more likely to get your passport the same day instead of being asked to come back in the morning.

Also, if you are leaving just after the two-week cutoff, I recommend waiting till it passes, then getting the appointment anyway instead of trying to do expedited mail. Just less worry.
posted by dame at 7:40 AM on September 29, 2006

Those 24 hour services are just couriers that walk your papers through the RPA, and the US Passport agency strongly discourages using a courier service.

The passport service may discourage it on principle but the express service places aren't shady or anything. Most major corporations use them in this situation.

Sure he could go to Chicago himself but that would cost 8 hours in time and a bunch of gas money.
posted by smackfu at 7:45 AM on September 29, 2006

I've gotten a passport in less than 24 hours from the Chicago office. You need proof of your flight, but it does work.
posted by true at 7:49 AM on September 29, 2006

Response by poster: I can go to chicago and take the flight from there out...
I was going to take off from LA in midnight...

thank u all for all the advice...

it is helping..
please keep them coming... thank you
posted by curiousleo at 7:55 AM on September 29, 2006

Call your Representative or Senator's office too. They may be able to help as well, especially with citizenship-documentation problems in the mix too.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:39 AM on September 29, 2006

I once made a 9am appointment to get a passport at the Chicago Passport Office (it was a flew blocks from my work) and had the passport in time to fly that evening at 7pm, so I'd say that you should definitely be able to get your passport in time.
posted by atomly at 10:31 AM on September 29, 2006

ROU xenophobe had a good suggestion; my wife used to expedite passports when she worked in a congressman's office.

As a word of warning, let me tell you my sister's tale of woe: About a month ago she got an expedited passport that was then lost in the mail. The post office hemmed and hawed and put her off for a week before finally admitting that it was lost and they wouldn't be able to find it before she needed it 3 days later. On top of that she needed a visa to go to Brazil. She ended up having to fly from South Carolina to Washington DC to get the passport in person, then to Miami to get the visa, and finally to Atlanta to meet the group she was going to Brazil with, all in less than 24 hours. I hope your experience is better.
posted by TedW at 10:49 AM on September 29, 2006

Where were all you people when I needed help?
posted by incessant at 11:24 AM on September 29, 2006

Response by poster: i found the passport in my dryer... GxDxIt

the blue cover is completely separated... (the picture laminate is still nicely intacted...

but nothing was torn or smudged... even inks...

it looks kinda like old blue jean...

I am ironing them right not...
and i will glue the coverback...

i called the number provided by one of your suggestions...

She said the water damage voids the passport...

but i think i may be able to fool them... well may pass by...
i am still legal and all...

lets just hope....
posted by curiousleo at 6:32 PM on September 29, 2006