Most passport applications often take months to complete because of the delays in passport offices. But when time is not on your side, waiting this long is not an option. Getting an emergency passport might be the right move for you. The emergency passport applies to people who must travel for life or death emergencies within days but do not have valid passports. We show you how to get an emergency passport and what processes you must follow:
How to Get an Emergency Passport?
What is an emergency passport? The U.S. government issues differing passports per travel needs. Routine passports are available to people who can wait 13 or more weeks before getting their passports. Rush and expedited processes apply to people who can wait up to nine weeks. And the emergency passport applies to people who must travel within three days for the following reasons:
- An immediate family member has died,
- An immediate family member is dying, or
- An immediate family member has a life-threatening illness or injury.
You must meet all these criteria to qualify for an emergency passport. This passport is only valid for a year. Moreover, some regions may not accept an emergency U.S. passport, and you should thus use it for direct flights.
Breaking Down the Key Terms
Who is an immediate family member? Many people go wrong by assuming that almost any relative fits the bill. However, only direct relatives qualify, e.g., parents, legal guardians, grandparents, siblings, and children.
Can you get an emergency passport if you require treatment abroad? This passport category does not include people seeking medication or medical services in other countries.
If you do not meet the emergency passport criteria, you can always apply for routine passports and rush the processing using TVP’s expedited passport services!
The Emergency Passport Application Process
Below is the process of how to get an emergency passport if you meet the criteria above:
1. Obtain proof of the life or death situation: The state passport office will not issue an emergency passport unless you can prove that an immediate family member’s situation meets the passport criteria. You can use documents such as hospital letters, death certificates, and mortuary statements to prove the need for an emergency passport.
The documents should meet the conditions below:
- Credible institutions, e.g., hospitals, should issue them. If they are not issued by the government, the documents should bear official letterheads.
- They should be in English. If a non-English authority has issued the documents, you should have them translated using reliable translation services. Notarization is not mandatory, but you can do it to enhance the document’s validity.
2. Book a flight ticket: You must prove that you will leave the country in three business days. Thus, you should include a flight ticket and any other itinerary to the state passport office.
3. Complete a passport application: Getting an emergency passport requires applicants to submit passport applications like in a routine application. You should meet all the passport criteria per your passport type.
You should contact the nearest state passport office and reiterate that you have the required emergency passport paperwork. They will book you in for an appointment and process the passport after you submit the required documents.
Get Your Emergency Passport Here
Where to Get an Emergency Passport?
Knowing where to get an emergency passport saves time. You can submit your emergency passport application to the following authorities:
- The state passport office: If you are in the U.S., you should submit your application through the nearest state passport office. They will book you in for an appointment. And if you provide sufficient documentation necessitating the rush, they will provide emergency passport services.
- The embassy: People abroad cannot wait for the routine passport processes in the U.S. Thus, they should get their emergency passport applications handled by the nearest embassies. They follow the same principles as state passport offices and will only issue a passport to people who meet the criteria above.
In both cases, you must book an appointment before showing up to apply for an emergency passport.
What Documents Are Needed for Emergency Passport?
Besides the proof of life or death and a flight itinerary, the required documents for an emergency passport are similar to routine passports. What documents are needed for emergency passport per passport type?
1. New Applicants: If you have never had a passport and are at least 16, you will fall into this category. You should present the following documents:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship,
- Proof of identification, e.g., driver’s license,
- A complete DS-11 form, and
- A passport photo.
2. Passport Renewals: Adults who have previously held a passport can get an emergency passport by renewing their most recent passport. Their passport must be in good condition. Additionally, they must have gotten the passport 15 or fewer years ago and should have sufficient name change documentation (if they changed their name). The documents required are as follows:
- The most recent passport,
- A complete DS-82 form, and
- A recent passport photo.
3. Name Change: Anyone who cannot present name change documents cannot apply for a passport renewal. Instead, they can get a passport by presenting the following emergency passport requirements:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship,
- Proof of identification, e.g., driver’s license,
- A complete DS-11 form,
- A passport photo, and
- Name change documentation.
4. Minors: Anyone under 16 cannot renew their previous passport. Thus, regardless of whether the minor has held a passport before, they should apply for an emergency passport as a new applicant. Note that parents or guardians should accompany their minors during this process. If not, notarized consent from the missing parents or guardians is mandatory. The documents required are as follows, which should be originals:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship, e.g., consular report of birth abroad,
- Proof of parental or guardian relationship, e.g., adoption decree or birth certificate,
- Parental or guardian ID,
- A complete DS-11 form, and
- A passport photo.
5. Lost/ Stolen/ Damaged Passports: These passports do not qualify for renewals. Instead, you get an emergency passport by applying for a replacement with the documents below:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship,
- Proof of identification, e.g., driver’s license,
- A complete DS-11 form,
- A passport photo, and
- Form DS-64 (lost/ stolen) or statement (damaged).
We offer document filling and concierge services if you need help compiling your documents.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Emergency Passport?
Ideally, you should get an emergency passport within three days. However, the backlogs in state passport offices can sometimes delay the process, resulting in longer waiting times.
Luckily, you can expedite the process using TVP’s expedited passport services. How long does it take to get an emergency passport with our services? You should have a passport within three days!
How Much Does an Emergency Passport Cost?
The emergency passport fee depends on the passport type. Moreover, you will incur a processing fee using TVP’s expedited passport services. So, how much does an emergency passport cost? It depends on how soon you want to get the passport and is thus variable. Our team can break down the emergency passport cost before you place your order, enabling you to choose the option that best matches your travel needs.
