Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Monday, November 4th
When you need a service you can trust to get your passport quickly, look no further than Passport Visas Express. This company remains at the top of our list for providing competitively-priced expediting services, top-notch customer service, and clearly-explained processes for getting your paperwork submitted accurately. There's even a concierge service if you need a little extra hand-holding along the way. Clients rave about the professionalism and courtesy at Passport Visas Express, with more than 6,300 people giving this service a perfect 5-star score. We do too.
Rush My Passport is a featured partner of AARP and AAA, but you can use this passport expediting service even without a membership there. They charge the same fees whether you're renewing your passport or getting a new one, starting at $119 for 8-week "Smart Service” and going up to $599 for 2-4 business day "Emergency Service”. While over 9,000 clients have left 5-star reviews for Rush My Passport, there's also a decent number of people who say that this service absolutely left them high and dry. That lands this expedited passport service a just-average rating from us.
The process for getting passports was massively impacted by the pandemic, with processing times and requirements devolving as the world adjusted to new travel norms. During the height of the pandemic, passport processing was severely disrupted. Many passport agencies were closed or operating with reduced staff, leading to massive backlogs and long waits for travelers needing to renew or obtain new passports.
While the situation has improved, there are still some lingering effects that travelers should be aware of. Now, standard passport processing times have stabilized somewhat but remain longer than pre-pandemic levels. On average, it can still take anywhere from 10 to 13 weeks to receive a passport after submitting your application through traditional methods (like going to the post office or another passport acceptance facility).
If you opt for expedited processing through that route, you might reduce the wait time to around 7 to 9 weeks. This still represents a significant delay compared to the pre-pandemic era when standard processing typically took 6 to 8 weeks, and expedited processing was often completed in 2 to 3 weeks. It's no wonder that passport expediting services have become increasingly important.
Expedited passport services are designed to help travelers who need to obtain their passports more quickly than the standard or expedited processing times offered by the U.S. Department of State. Expediting services work by leveraging their connections and knowledge of the process to submit applications directly to the agencies that handle passports. They often have the ability to secure appointments at passport agencies, which are otherwise difficult to obtain. However, it's important to understand that these services do not magically cut the processing times in half. On rare occasions, they can help you get a passport in as little as 24 hours in cases of emergency or urgent travel, but more typically within 1 to 3 weeks.
Of course, these services come at a premium, with costs varying depending on how quickly you need the passport and the specific provider. It's also worth noting that even with an expediting service, you still need to have all your documents in order and be prepared to pay additional government fees.
So, which passport service can get your passport to you fast? And which ones will just cause you extra stress and delays? Here are some criteria to help you choose the right one for your needs:
Ready to see the world? All that's left is your passport, and so the travel fans at Top Consumer Reviews have reviewed and ranked today's most popular services from first to worst. Whether you just want some help making sure you've dotted the "i”s and crossed the "t”s or you need someone to fly to the rescue and get your passport in hand as fast as possible, our info will connect you with a passport service where "expedited” isn't just a lofty goal but a promise kept. Bon voyage!
Select any 2 Passport Services to compare them head to head