How to get an emergency passport
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Short answer
For a qualifying life-or-death emergency in an immediate family member abroad, the State Department can see you at a passport agency on short notice; for other urgent trips you request a regional passport agency appointment based on your departure date.
Key takeaways
- Life-or-death emergencies involve serious illness, injury, or death of an immediate family member abroad and require documentation.
- Urgent-travel appointments at a regional agency are for international travel within the agency's stated window.
- Agencies are appointment-only — never travel to one without a confirmed appointment.
- Bring proof of travel, your completed form, photo, ID, citizenship evidence, and fee payment.
Life-or-death emergencies
These cover the serious illness, serious injury, or death of an immediate family member while you are — or they are — outside the United States. You will be asked for documentation such as a death certificate, a statement from a mortuary, or a signed letter from a hospital or medical professional.
The State Department operates a dedicated after-hours line for these situations; the current numbers and instructions are on its urgent-travel page.
Urgent international travel
If your trip is soon but is not a life-or-death emergency, you request an appointment at a regional passport agency. Appointments are released based on how close your departure date is, and you must show proof of international travel.
Appointment availability changes constantly and is controlled entirely by the government — no private company can guarantee a slot.
If you cannot get an appointment
Expedited service by mail, combined with 1–2 day return delivery, is the next-fastest option. A registered courier can hand-carry an application to an agency on your behalf where the agency permits it, for an additional private fee.
Check current government processing times before paying for any private service.