Need Passport ASAP | FerrariChat

Need Passport ASAP

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by Tracktoy, Aug 14, 2008.

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  1. Tracktoy

    Tracktoy Rookie

    Aug 27, 2005
    38
    Raleigh N.C.
    Full Name:
    Jason H.
    I was asked today if I wanted to go to Germany and France for two weeks for a project at work. I was stoked of course but I have yet to apply for a Passport. So what is the absolute quickest way to obtain one? I went today and took my photo, the lady working there told me to go to the post office with a Passport agent and have it expedited. Sounds cool but is there an even quicker way? I found these folks http://www.americanpassport.com/ and they are independent from the Govt so it probably costs a little more but eh. Anyone use them or another private source?

    Anyone with experience in a rush situation or can offer any advice it would be very appreciated.
     
  2. rcm360

    rcm360 Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    343
    Kansas
    Full Name:
    Reese
    I expedited my passport several years ago and it took about 3 or so weeks. The Gov't sends you a confirmation letter stating that they got it and you can check the progress online.
     
  3. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
    13,477
    Never home
    Full Name:
    Dr. Dumb Ass
  4. Four30Spider

    Four30Spider Karting

    Apr 22, 2008
    168
    Los Angeles
    I've used www.zvs.com a ton of times before and they are very good. I believe they are partnered with CIBT also.
     
  5. fluque

    fluque Formula 3

    Jul 30, 2004
    1,759
    Above 2240m
    Full Name:
    Fernando
    How soon do you need the passport. If you are travelling within 2 weeks the absolut quickest is to schedule an appointment and attend in person to one of the regional passport agencies. You get the pasport in 1 or 2 days but looks like you would need to travel to these locations.

    http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_913.html
     
  6. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
    13,477
    Never home
    Full Name:
    Dr. Dumb Ass
    CIBT and the others have standing reservations. You'll pay, but they will take care of it in a hurry.
     
  7. fluque

    fluque Formula 3

    Jul 30, 2004
    1,759
    Above 2240m
    Full Name:
    Fernando
    That's very convinient.
     
  8. PaulK

    PaulK F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 24, 2004
    4,775
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Paul
  9. ItaliaF1

    ItaliaF1 F1 Veteran

    Aug 28, 2005
    5,083
    Nashville,TN
    Full Name:
    John Burrow
    I actually got mine in about 3.5 weeks back in January, and it wasn't even expedited.
     
  10. BubblesQuah

    BubblesQuah F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2003
    13,220
    Charlotte
    Check with your local congresspersons office - in the early 90's I needed a passport quick to move out of the country for work, and I fedexed the paperwork to my congressman in DC and he had one of hisr assistants take it to the passport agency for processing - for free (normal fees of course). I can't remember exactly how long it took, but I believe less than a week.
     
  11. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
    7,765
    Nova Scotia Canada
    Full Name:
    Neil
    Times have changed I believe this info is out of date.
     
  12. future328driver

    future328driver Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2001
    1,838
    Dallas, Texas
    Full Name:
    Ken Thomas
    Check your local area for passport expediters. I live in Dallas and got an expedited passport in about 4 days using an expedite service. The expediter charged about $250 for the service, but they hand walk it through the process.
     
  13. pdiack

    pdiack Karting

    Nov 19, 2003
    239
    #13 pdiack, Aug 15, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2008
    Small world! That's my company..thanks for the recommendation. Here are your choices for getting a passport quick.

    1. Paying the expedite fee at the post office will get you a passort in 3-4 weeks.
    2. Make an appointment at a regional agency - in Raleigh - DC, Miami and New Orleans cover the southeast. The process here is show up at your appointment time and wait in line with your application. If you can prove the need to have it that same day (i.e. leaving the next day), they will issues it that afternoon. Otherwise, typically you go back 2-3 days later and pick it up.
    3. Pay a private expediting service. As mentioned, we have access to a limited amount of spots in the passport agency and essentially hand-deliver your passport app and pick up for you. Most expediting services can get a passport within a day if you are leaving within a week or two, 2-3 days otherwise. Addtionally, we can obtain visas quick as well.

    The congressman route depends on the congressman - we have quite a few that act as a referral for us - i.e. voter calls their congressman then the congressman's office has them call us and/or contacts us for help.

    I'd love you to use our company, but I'm not a sponsor so I don't want to peddle our wares. In reference to the other companies listed above - they are all owned by CIBT (ZVS, American Passport, and more). IMO, CIBT is a good company but can be a little more expensive.
     
  14. jk0001

    jk0001 F1 Veteran

    Oct 18, 2005
    6,706
    Sun Coast
    Full Name:
    Jim
    I didn't realize that Oktoberfest was so soon, I had better get cracking.
     
  15. Buzz48317

    Buzz48317 F1 Rookie

    Dec 5, 2005
    2,862
    Shelby Twp., MI
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #15 Buzz48317, Aug 15, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2008
    I expeditited mine through the post office a few years back and got it back within 2 weeks, but my wife did hers at the same time as mine and it took about 4 days longer for some reason. If you have a couple of weeks to work with this may be the way to go, but if you need it quicker you'll have to deal with an expediting service which will add to the expense, but if it is the difference of paying a few bucks more for fast service or missing the opportunity to go I'd pay the money every time.

    Remember that the passport offices are busier now than they were a few years back now that you need a passport to get back into the country from almost anywhere and they will probably get busier as the US closes the door to travel without a passport to more countries.
     
  16. yzee

    yzee F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 16, 2005
    9,111
    Bodegata
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #16 yzee, Aug 15, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2008
    Just 6 months ago a friend called our US Congressman. Sent a kid that worked for them to DC with all the paperwork. Congressman's assistant met him at Customs and walked him through. About 20 hrs. with a 6 hr. drive each way. But he was connected.
     

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