Complete Guide to US Passport Applications & Renewals
Applying for a new passport or renewal should be quick and easy, right? Unfortunately, the passport process can be time consuming and stressful for most people. Thankfully, Swift is here to help! We’ve guided thousands of customers across the country through the entire passport process via our expedited service. Count on us (and this page) to serve as your credible, go-to passport resource.
U.S. Passport Agency Processing Times
If you plan to apply for a passport on your own, know that the U.S. Passport Agency's current processing timeline is 6 to 8 weeks for routine service and 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service. Need your passport sooner? Swift has multiple options, and can renew passports in as little as 4 to 6 business days.
Passports Made Fast
Do you feel overwhelmed by the passport process? Are you worried about missing your trip if your passport doesn’t arrive on time? These concerns are perfectly normal. We know this because we’ve worked with thousands of customers like you who just want to get their passports without being stressed. If you’re stuck or frustrated while applying for your passport, this page can help. We created this in-depth resource page to address questions we’re asked every single day.
If you plan to renew your passport, need to apply for a new passport, or are unsure of where to start, this page can serve as your helpful guide where you will find:
- A list of documents you’ll need to apply for a passport.
- The Swift process documented step-by-step.
- A breakdown of passport fees.
- How Swift’s expedited passport services work.
- Answers to commonly asked questions.
Types of U.S. Passports
Many people do not know this, but there are several different types of passports to choose from. Below, we outline the different options that are available, and general guidelines on when you qualify for a specific type of passport. When you choose to obtain your passport through Swift, our checkout process will automatically guide you to the right passport for you. However, it is important that you answer each question that we ask honestly to ensure you are matched to the right passport product. Want to see which passport option is right for you? Take our online passport quiz!
Child Passport
The applicant qualifies for this type of passport if they are a minor (15 years of age or younger). LEARN MORE
New or First Time Passport
The applicant qualifies for this type of passport if they are applying for their first passport, it has been more than 15 years since their current passport was issued, or if they were under the age of 16 when their last passport was issued. LEARN MORE
Second Valid Passport
The applicant may qualify for this type of passport if it is necessary for them to have two U.S. passports at once. LEARN MORE
Passport Renewal
The applicant qualifies for this type of passport if their passport is still valid or expired less than 5 years ago, is still in their possession, is still in good condition, and if they were 16 years of age or older when their last passport was issued. LEARN MORE
Lost or Stolen Passport
The applicant qualifies for this type of passport if their passport was lost or was stolen and expired less than 5 years ago or they are unsure if it expire less than 5 years ago LEARN MORE
SWIFT TIP: taking the time to answer these questions honestly when using Swift’s services will help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that you receive your passport on time for your trip!
Before Starting Your Passport Order: Gather Required Documents
Before you place your passport order with Swift, it is important that you gather certain documents. Please note that these documents will vary based upon the type of passport you are applying for. When you place your order with Swift, we will provide you with a detailed list of documents and requirements.
Keep in mind, most passports will require the following:
- Passport Photos
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship
- Completed Passport Application
- Proof of Travel
Placing Your Passport Order with Swift: Step-By-Step
Step One: Start Order
Click Order Now and select US Passport Renewal from the drop down menu. You will then be asked to enter in simple information such as your name, date of birth, and date of departure. Once your selections have been made and your details have been entered, you’ll have the option to check out or add more passports to your order. You will always be provided with accurate pricing before you remit payment.
Step Two: Gather Documents & Ship to Swift
You will need to submit several documents when you renew your passport. We suggest you gather these ahead of time. These documents include, but are not limited to: passport photos, proof of U.S. citizenship, completed passport application, and proof of travel. After you check out, Swift will provide you with a full list of every document you will need to complete your order. Our team will guide you step-by-step and will also review your documents to ensure everything looks correct. To complete your order, you must ship your documents to Swift. Please use FedEx or UPS to ship your application materials. To avoid delays, please do not use the United Stated Postal Service (USPS). Our address is: Swift Passport & Visa Services 1 E Erie St. Suite #525 Chicago, IL 60611
Step Three: Receive Your Passport
After Swift receives your documents, we will double check your paperwork and ensure we have everything we need to process your order. You will receive regular updates as your order progresses until your passport is finally shipped to you.
SWIFT TIP: certain passport require an appointment with a U.S. Passport Acceptance Agent. We recommend that you make your appointment BEFORE placing your order with Swift.
Which Types of Passports Require an Appointment with a US Passport Agent?
Click the button below to set up your appointment with a U.S. Acceptance Agent near you.
Passports for Applicants not Eligible for Renewal
How Will Swift Make the Passport Process Easier?
When you entrust Swift with your passport application, you will receive the following benefits:
- Swift will personally submit your passport to the US Passport Agency. This will ensure your passport arrives on time, on the date we promise.
- Trust in our decades of experience to get your passport done right the first time. We’ve worked with thousands of customers on thousands of passport applications. Your passport will be in the hands of experts.
- Our team will review all of your passport materials to make sure everything is in order before we submit your application to the US Passport Agency. This quality assurance check will not only save you time, but a ton of frustration.
It is important to note that there are steps in the passport application process that the applicant (you) must complete. These steps can only be completed by the applicant and are required by the U.S. Passport Agency. These steps are your responsibility, even when you place an order with Swift.
SWIFT TIP: while people can apply for their passports on their own through the U.S. Passport Agency, our customers save an average of 20 hours of time by working with our team.
We're the Go-To Passport Experts
Swift Passport Services is a non-government service that acts as a professional emissary between customers, the U.S. Department of State and various foreign consulates to secure US Passports and international travel visas. We’ve procured passports for thousands of happy customers. Take a look at our reviews to see what our customers have to say about our services:
Understanding Expedited Passport Fees
Anytime you apply for a passport, you will have to pay certain fees which are detailed to the right. Some of these fees are payable to third parties, like the U.S. Government. If you use our passport services, you will pay a Swift service fee which covers our review of your application and documents, regular updates from our team, and time our passport experts spend processing your application and answering your questions.
This is a fee you will pay for your passport whether you use Swift’s service or choose to apply on your own. It covers the cost of your passport application with the U.S. Department of State.
This is a processing fee made to Swift for the services we are providing. Our services include, but are not limited to:
- access to US Passport Agencies in different cities across the United States.
- our team of experts examining and reviewing your passport application to prevent costly mistakes and errors.
- a Swift team member physically taking your application to the US Passport Agency and personally working with the Agency to process your application.
This covers the cost to ship your new passport to you (domestically or globally).
US Passport FAQs
Why should I use Swift’s expedited passport service?
By using Swift’s expedited passport service, most people save about 20 hours of personal time. Applying for a US passport can be a frustrating process. Even worse, you may miss your trip if your passport does not arrive on time. Swift has years of experience helping busy travelers obtain their passports on time and with minimal hassles.
What fees are included when using Swift’s expedited passport service?
There are 3 fees you should be aware of when using our expedited passport service:
- US Department of State fee: this is a fee you will pay for your passport whether you use Swift’s service or choose to apply on your own.
- Swift Passport & Visa Services’ fee: this is a processing fee made to Swift for the services we are providing. Our services include, but are not limited to: access to US Passport Agencies in different cities across the United States, our team of experts examining and reviewing your passport application to prevent costly mistakes and errors, a Swift team member physically taking your application to the US Passport Agency and personally working with the Agency to process your application.
- Return Shipping fee: this covers the cost to ship your new passport to you (domestically or globally).
Can I just apply for a passport on my own?
Yes, you can absolutely apply for a passport on your own by going through the US Passport Agency. Swift’s service is convenient for those who need their passports quickly or who want access to experts who can ensure their passport applications are handled correctly. We are known for saving our customers a great deal of time and frustration.
When you choose to apply for a passport on your own versus applying through Swift, it will take weeks or even months to receive your passport. If you have an upcoming trip and need your passport ASAP, this probably isn’t your best option. Instead, in this circumstance, you’ll want to apply for a passport using Swift, as we can help get you a passport in as little as a few days.
What do you mean by Passport Processing Times?
Every time you apply for a passport, you need to be aware of the processing times (i.e., how long it will take for your passport to get to you). Passport processing times are listed for each of our passport products. Swift’s passport processing times are calculated in business or working days, Monday through Friday, as the US Passport Agency does not include weekends in their processing times.
Processing times do not include shipping to Swift and the time it takes for the completed passport to be sent back to the applicant.
Passport processing starts when Swift has received ALL of the required documents needed to obtain your passport. In rare occasions, the US Passport Agency will require additional items from the applicant. When this happens, it “suspends” the processing time until the requested items are received by Swift.
Below is an example of what you can expect throughout the entire application process from start to finish:
- Submit your application on the Swift Passport and Visa Services website.
- Send in all of the required documents to our Chicago office.
- Our team of travel experts will review your documents and submit them to the US Passport Agency.
- Your passport will finish processing and be sent directly to you.
- Enjoy your international vacation!
What is Proof of Travel?
Proof of travel is evidence that you need your passport quickly. Proof of travel may include an airline itinerary showing international travel OR a business letter on company letterhead detailing the need of the applicant to travel for work or business. Other examples of proof of travel include a vacation rental reservation, hotel reservation, or cruise line tickets. Learn more about proof of travel for passports on our website.
Is providing proof of travel a requirement for my passport?
If you are using an expedited passport service, proof of travel will be required. The US Passport Agency requires people who are applying for expedited passports through a hand-carry service (Swift is a registered hand-carry service) to provide ‘proof’ that they need their passport quickly. A company that is registered as a hand-carry service can provide expedited passport service to an individual and send that person their passport once it has been processed.
By providing proof of travel, you are showing the Passport Agency why they should process your passport ahead of thousands of other applications in their queue. Proof of travel has been a requirement for as long as the hand carry program has been around. It is a requirement for all of Swift’s services except our 5-7-week service.
Are supporting documents returned to passport customers by Swift?
Once we have reviewed your documents and have processed your passport, we will return all vital documents to you. These documents include expired passports (if they are not mutilated passports), birth certificates, marriage certificates, original court documents of any kind, and divorce decrees. Photocopies of items such as driver’s license or travel itinerary are typically not returned to the applicant.
We understand that the safety and confidentiality of your documents is extremely important. This is why we do everything that we can to ensure that your documents are secured by our team, carefully reviewed by the Passport Agency, and then sent directly back to you once your passport has been processed.
Are original supporting documents returned to passport customers by the Passport Agency?
Yes. The Passport Agency will send your original supporting documents back separately from your new or renewed passport. Swift will then send these documents back to the return shipping address provided in our checkout. If you use our 5-7-week service, the Passport Agency will send your documents to you directly.
The amount of time it will take for your supporting documents to get sent back to you could vary depending on the number of passports being processed by the Passport Agency. Although there isn’t an exact amount of time that it will take for these documents to get sent back to you, most of the time, you can expect your documents to be returned within 15 business days.
How long does it take for my supporting documents to be sent back to me?
Timing will vary and depend upon the volume of passports being processed by the Passport Agency. However, most documents are returned within 15 business days.
In some circumstances the original supporting documents are returned with the new/renewed passport. Please note that it may take longer than 15 business days for your documents to be returned to you if your passport processing is delayed for any reason. If your documents aren’t returned within 15 business days, don’t panic! They’ll be back in your possession before you know it.
Should I send Swift my social security card when applying for a passport?
No. You should NOT send Swift your social security card. When you apply for your passport online and complete the checkout process, we will send you a complete list of documents that you’ll need to send into our office. Although this list does contain numerous documents, your social security card is not necessary to process your passport application.
What is a US Passport Acceptance Agent?
A US Passport Acceptance Agent is an individual trained and certified by the U.S. State Department to initiate and “execute” the passport application process for these types of passports: new/first-time passports, lost or stolen passports, child/minor passports, and for any applicants who are not eligible to renew their passports. A US Passport Acceptance Agent is typically your initial point of contact when applying for a new passport, and they ensure that your passport application starts off on the right note.
What does the US Passport Acceptance Agent do?
One of the main roles of a US Passport Acceptance Agent is that they verify the identity of the passport applicant, making sure the applicant is who they say they are. Besides that, other duties that a US Passport Acceptance Agent perform include verifying your identity and documents, witnessing your signature, sealing your application packet, and providing guidance.
You can learn more about the role of the US Passport Acceptance agent by reading our resource page.
I already have a passport application in progress. Can Swift help me expedite the process?
Swift (or any other third-party service) cannot step in to assist in expediting a passport application that is already in process, as we do not have the authority to do so. If you are already in the middle of the passport application process and need to request immediate service, call the US Passport Agency at 877-487-2778, or check the status of your US Passport Application Status.