Anyone traveling outside of the United States today must have either a passport book or passport card. This law went into effect June 1, 2009. In order to re-enter the U. S., even from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, or Bermuda, persons must have this documentation. This applies to persons traveling by land, air or sea, so if you have family living outside of the U. S. you will need to make preparation for emergency situations. This can prevent need of having to apply for an emergency new passport.

As soon as you find out that a close family member is moving out of the United States, you should apply for your passport. If you ever intend to visit, you will have to have this documentation. Having a passport means freedom to visit family when you want to make the visit.

In order to obtain that passport, you will need to follow the rules that the State Department has established. These rules, as well as the applicable forms, can be found on the website for the U. S. Department of State. The application will need to be returned to a passport processing center. There is at least one in most cities of any size. Currently, the return time is four to six weeks.

People planning to travel in fewer than fourteen days or who need a passport to obtain a visa can pay an extra fee and get an expedited passport. You will also want to pay for overnight delivery and choose the passport book as this will be the quickest way to get the passport back. In addition, you will need proof of your travel dates.

Turn around for an expedited passport is approximately two weeks. You will want to pay the extra fee for a passport book. The passport book can be shipped overnight, however the card is only shipped by US mail.

If you are facing a life or death situation, you can get an emergency passport. These emergency passports can be obtained in a 24 hour period, however, you may have to travel to one of the regional passport centers or pay an agent to make application for you. You can call the toll-free number of the State Department to schedule an appointment at the center. Centers are open Monday through Friday during normal business hours and closed weekends and federal holidays. If you take the completed application to the center at your appointment along with proof of travel, you can get your passport immediately.

If travel to the passport center is not possible for you, then you can also hire an agent to make the application on your behalf. You will need to include time to send your documentation to the agent and for the agent to send your passport to you using overnight delivery. Many agents are able to process your passport within twenty four hours.

Employing a United States passport agent may increase the price you pay for a passport. In addition to the $135 government fee, you will need to pay for the agent’s services and for shipping costs. While this can increase the cost of the emergency pasport, it is often less expensive than having to travel to the regional center by yourself.

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