Monday, December 2nd
2024 Passport Service Reviews
Passport Visas Express
- Offers expedited passports of all kinds as a registered service with the US Passport Agency
- Expedited service fees range from $299 (11-15 business days) to $499 (4-6 business days) for both new and renewal passports
- Concierge service offered if you want document prep help
- Help available via phone and live chat from 9A-6P Eastern, M-F
- Over 6,300 5-star reviews
- In business for over 15 years
For many years, Passport Visas Express has been our top pick for expedited passports. The company has been around for the better part of two decades, hand-carrying applications directly to US passport agencies, embassies, and consulates across the USA. This service has been featured by The Washington Post, CNN, and Budget Travel.
Affordable expediting for passports needed within 1-3 weeks
Everything about Passport Visas Express is straightforward. Whether you're renewing a passport or getting a new one (for yourself or for a child), the fees are the same: $299 for 11-15 business days, $349 for 7-10 business days, or $499 for 4-6 business days (not including governmental fees or shipping). You won't see any of the "super saver” options you might see with PVE's rivals - that's because their services are designed "for applications who need their passport within 1-3 weeks”.
Clearly spells out the steps
We also really appreciate that this expedited passport service is extremely clear about the process - especially spelling out, as the very first step in the process, the need to meet in person with a passport acceptance agent when applying for a new passport (which includes child passports, lost passports, and stolen passports). You'll also see a step-by-step numbered list describing each and every to-do you'll need to follow, so that there are no unpleasant surprises with your passport application.
$200 for optional concierge services
Feeling a little nervous? You can pay $200 extra for concierge service here: you'll have to sign up over the phone for an appointment, but at the end you'll get professional preparation of all of your documents, upgraded overnight priority shipping, and a personal account manager who guides the entire process.
The decisions are yours
As you work your way through the process at PVE, you'll be given as many options as possible along the way. Maybe you don't want full concierge services but you would like help filling out your application? That's offered for $65. How would you like your documents to go to and from PVE? You get to choose on each end: maybe you want to take care of the shipping there on your own, but you want FedEx Saturday delivery on the return? No problem. Ditto that for photos (you can choose PVE's digital photo service for $20 per traveler or send in your own).
Regular business hours only
One slight downside with using Passport Visas Express is their business hours: Monday through Friday, 9A-6P Eastern. In other words, if you realize on Friday night that you need a passport for a trip next Thursday, you'll have to wait until Monday to find out if PVE can help you (and that's assuming they're not closed for a holiday on Monday). But, they want to make sure that there will be availability with their passport agency contacts if you need emergency processing, without making any false promises. (And there ARE rival services who let you go ahead and pay for services they can't deliver, so we'll take PVE's weekend closures as a net positive.)
5-star ratings from more than 6,000 clients
Although for some reason we couldn't find Passport Visas Express' listing with the Better Business Bureau this time around, we're not worried: we found over 6,300 5-star reviews on Trustpilot alone, almost always from verified clients, and many glowing compliments left within a few weeks of our review. People are especially pleased with the support they get over the phone, especially when they don't understand some aspect of the PVE website. It's obvious that customers come here more for visas than passports, but time and again they say that this service comes through consistently and with friendly help available.
Still #1 for expedited passports
For yet another year, Passport Visas Express earns our highest rating and our top recommendation among companies offering expedited passport applications. You'll get affordable, knowledgeable service, trustworthy delivery of your documents, and everything right on schedule. When you need a passport and time is of the essence, Passport Visas Express is the name to know.
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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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