If you need a U.S. passport quickly, the U.S. State Department's passport processing wait times might not work for you, prompting you to consider alternatives to traditional passport services.
If you are in urgent need of a passport for an upcoming international trip and are willing to shell out some serious cash, CIBTvisas is one option for travelers.
Here's how that company's service compares to passport services from the U.S. government.
A private company that works with the State Department, CIBTvisas handles the logistical legwork of renewing or applying for a U.S. passport by submitting materials on customers' behalf through direct communication to the agency.
"We handle the submission process end-to-end and eliminate the need for you to visit, communicate, or correspond directly with the Department of State," per the company. Depending on availability, CIBTvisas can secure passports for consumers in an expedited time frame, ranging from as quickly as one day to nine weeks, based on the urgency of the request.
As of October, the State Department estimates eight to 11 weeks for both new passports and renewals; this marks the first decrease in processing times since March, when they quoted 10 to 13 weeks. Expedited service is currently expected within five to seven weeks, down from seven to nine weeks. Since quoted processing times do not include mail delays, you probably want to factor in an additional two weeks before you receive your new passport.
For urgent international travel, the State Department offers limited in-person appointments for emergency and non-emergency travel:
Conversely, CIBTvisas says it can process expedited passport requests in one to three days via phone as long as the traveler's departure is scheduled within two weeks. Need a passport renewed faster? Standard processing through this service takes three weeks for renewals.
Fees vary slightly between first-time passport holders and renewals. Still, most adults age 18 and older can expect to pay $130 for routine service from the State Department plus an additional $60 for expedited service.
Passport cards through the State Department are much cheaper as they only permit land and sea entry to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Overall, the fees for the same services through CIBTvisas are much greater, ranging from $199-$599 depending on the type of passport request and the urgency of the need. Passport services guaranteed within nine weeks cost $199, within two weeks cost $499 and within one week or less cost $599, plus nonrefundable service fees. Premium services — which would be passports processed within one day to less than a week — can go up to $999.
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