Monday, December 2nd
2024 Passport Service Reviews
Fastport Passport
- Can help with all passport types (new, renewal, lost/stolen, child)
- Passport expediting fees starting at $119 for 8-week processing, $209 for 3-week processing, $429 for 7-9 business days, and $599 for 2-4 business days
- "A” rated and accredited by the BBB
- Over 1.2 million customers since 2003
Based in Brooklyn, Fastport Passport has been expediting passport applications and helping with visas since 2003. They're proud to tell you that they've helped over 1.2 million clients since then, in all 50 states.
Higher-than-average fees
Fastport Passport charges the same fees whether you're getting a new or renewed passport: $119 for 8-week "smart” processing, $209 for 3-week "expedited” processing, $429 for 7-9 business day "priority” processing, and $599 for 2-4 business day "emergency” processing. You'll also be charged $69.90 for shipping to and from the company; that will get added on during checkout.
Doesn't spell out important details upfront
Unfortunately, Fastport Passport doesn't make several critical details clear when you're signing up for their expedited passport service. First of all, new passports require a visit to a local passport acceptance agent: yes, there are over 8,000 of them (like post offices and many city halls), but if you're thinking that your first step is to send in your paperwork to Fastport Passport, you'd be wrong. And you wouldn't know about that part until after you'd paid for your processing (unless you dug into the FAQ like we did).
May not be eligible for what you pay for
You also won't be told until after you've paid that, in order to be eligible for "emergency” processing, you have to have proof of international travel within 14 days. This could include a copy of your plane ticket receipt or cruise line documentation. And, from what we can tell, if you already paid for that top-speed processing but you're not eligible, Fastport Passport isn't going to refund you the difference between "emergency” and "priority” processing.
Recent feedback is pretty dismal
The Better Business Bureau thinks highly of this passport service, giving Fastport Passport an "A” rating and accreditation for only having three complaints filed there in the last 3-year period. But, more recent feedback for the company in other places (like Trustpilot and Yelp) have led to a pretty big drop in our rating. People said that the communication from Fastport Passport reps was either "nonexistent” or with "someone whose proficiency in the English language prevented us from being able to properly communicate”. It seems that most of the 5-star reviews on Trustpilot were prior to 2023; most of the ones since then are from unhappy clients. One client there flat out says "don't do it” (use Fastport Passport), another said they paid for the service online and filled out the paperwork, but no one answered at the phone number they were given to continue the process.
Big drop in our rating
Sorry, Fastport Passport: we have to drop you almost down to the bottom of our rankings. Maybe your failings haven't reached the "ears” of the Better Business Bureau yet, but they're definitely being made known elsewhere. We can't confidently say that clients will get good service here, and Fastport Passport definitely can't be counted on to deliver passports in any kind of expedited way. This is the most we can offer this company until major improvements are made.
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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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