Monday, December 2nd
2024 Passport Service Reviews
Fast Passport Center
- Can help with all kinds of passports (new, renewal, lost/stolen, child)
- Prices start at $135 for 5-7 week processing and go to $385 for 2-4 business day processing
- Affordable shipping
- Real-time order tracking
- Toll-free number for customer service
- Offices in DC, Dallas, LA, NYC, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Salt Lake City
- 100% Best Price Guarantee
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- "A” rated and accredited by the BBB
- Over two decades of experience serving 350,000+ clients
We're all about the mission behind Fast Passport Center: "taking the stress out of obtaining your travel documents at the lowest price possible”. Featured on Condé Nast Traveler, CNN, USA Today and more, this passport service has served more than 350,000 clients over nearly three decades. Whether you're renewing your passport or applying for the first time, you'll get top-notch service here - even (and especially) if you're in a big hurry.
Competitively priced for expedited passports
Let's jump into the services you can access through Fast Passport Center in terms of costs and timeframes. This is what we found during our most recent visit to the site:
- New Passports (including lost/stolen, children's passports): You've only got two options for a new passport here: 2-4 business day processing (for $385) or 7-9 business day processing (for $285). Just be aware that, even though it doesn't spell it out in the New Passports section of the website, you'll still have to visit a passport acceptance location to verify your identity - but as part of its service, Fast Passport Center will find a location you can visit that won't require an appointment.
- Renewal Passports: Pricing starts at $135 for 5-7 week processing (which is cheaper than most services on our list, but might not be faster than going directly through the passport acceptance facility). You can cut your time down to 4-5 weeks for $185, 5-9 business days for $285, or 2-4 business days for $385.
Additional costs for shipping and insurance
On any passport service you choose, you can opt to pay $29 for "Lost & Stolen Insurance” (valid within 5 years of the issuance date). Also, those fees quoted above don't include the shipping costs. But, we were very pleasantly surprised to see that even on a 2-4 business day "emergency” service, we were only charged $30 each way for FedEx. Fast Passport Center didn't specify which FedEx speed that was, so you'll have to trust that what you're paying for will allow them to fulfill the promised timeframe for expediting your passport.
Low prices, guaranteed
If you find the passport service you need at a lower price somewhere else, Fast Passport Center guarantees that they'll match it. There are a few stipulations, like the rival needing to be a registered State Department passport courier and it can't be a sale price offered by the competitor. But, if you like what you see here and want to use their service, it's nice knowing you don't have to go with a less-reliable service just to get a lower cost.
Excellent reputation for customer service
Fast Passport Center has a reputation we love to see: an "A” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, only 4 complaints filed with the BBB in the last 3 years, and 19 customer reviews left with the BBB that average an impressive 4.47 out of 5 stars. Most clients taking the time to leave feedback via Trustpilot would agree: there, the average is even higher at 4.6 stars across 100+ reviews, and comments left within just a few months of our review said more than once that David from Fast Passport Center saved the day. Clients describe receiving super-clear instructions, help over the phone whenever they wanted it, and passports in hand within 4-6 days when needed. Feedback left on Yelp is slightly less enthusiastic, but aside from a handful of complaints there, the overall picture painted by Fast Passport Center clients is that this service can almost perform miracles when you need an expedited passport.
Great choice when you need an expedited passport
Fast Passport Center delivers what its name suggests. You'll be able to get your passport application submitted quickly and have it in hand when you need it, and at prices that are often more affordable than competitors'. This is one of our top picks among expedited passport services.
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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).
Passport Service FAQ
Continued from above...
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:
- Services offered. Most passport services can help with all kinds of applications, from new passports and renewals, to replacing lost or stolen ones. Just double-check to make sure the specific kind you need is on their list.
- Available timeframes. "Expedited” means different things to different passport services. If you've got a trip coming up and you didn't realize you needed to have six months left on your passport for it to be accepted, you need "expedited” to mean a timeframe that lets you get on that plane or cruise ship. Pay attention to when the promised timeframe begins: for many expedited services, the clock starts ticking only when they receive your paperwork, which doesn't count for any time needed to go to a passport acceptance facility in person (which is needed for most new passport applications for identity verification).
- Fees. Make sure you understand what's included and what's not. Most passport services don't automatically include the fees charged by the State Department (though some do).
- Reputation. What have clients said about the overall experience with the passport service? Did "expedited” really mean a fast turnaround time? Was there clear communication throughout and on-time delivery, or did documents go missing? Check out customer reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings before you commit to any particular passport service.
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!
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