Getting an Emergency Passport When You Need to Travel Right Away

What counts as a life-or-death emergency for passport purposes

The U.S. State Department recognizes a narrow set of situations as genuine emergencies that warrant expedited passport processing. You must have a documented reason that involves imminent travel — meaning you need to leave within days, not weeks — and the travel itself must be for a death, critical illness, or similar urgent family matter.

A death in the family is the most common reason. You need proof: a death certificate, funeral program, or letter from a funeral home on official letterhead stating the date of the service. Critical illness works the same way — a letter from a hospital or doctor on official letterhead confirming the person's condition and your need to be present. Some passport agencies also accept documentation of a business emergency that requires your immediate presence abroad, though this is harder to prove and less commonly approved.

What does not count: a vacation you booked, a wedding you want to attend, a job starting in two weeks, or a flight you already paid for. The State Department receives thousands of requests claiming emergency status, and they reject most of them. Your reason has to be something that would make sense to explain to a stranger — not just something that matters to you.

Key Takeaways

• You must have written proof of the emergency from a hospital, funeral home, or official source — a phone call or email from a family member is not enough.
• Emergency passport service is available only at certain passport agencies in person; you cannot use it by mail or online.
• The process takes hours, not days, but you must arrive early and bring original documents, not copies.
• The cost is roughly double the standard passport fee, plus a same-day execution fee, and payment is cash or check only at most locations.
• If you cannot reach a passport agency in time, some countries allow you to enter on an expired passport or with a letter from the State Department.

Finding the passport agency nearest you that handles emergencies

Not every passport office offers same-day emergency service. The State Department runs about 30 passport agencies nationwide, but only a fraction of them have the staff to process emergencies on the day you arrive. The main ones are in major cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Miami, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington D.C. A few mid-sized cities have them too, but you cannot assume yours does.

Go to travel.state.gov and search for passport agencies by location. The website lists which ones offer emergency services and their hours. Call ahead before you go — the phone number is on the listing. Tell them you have a documented emergency and ask whether they can see you today. Some agencies require you to make an appointment through their online system; others take walk-ins but with a wait. A few are so busy that they tell you to come back tomorrow, which defeats the purpose. The phone call tells you whether it is worth the trip.

If no agency near you offers same-day service, you have two options: drive or fly to one that does, or explore whether you can travel without a new passport. Some countries let you enter on an expired U.S. passport if you also carry a letter from the State Department confirming you applied for an emergency replacement. That letter is not a passport, but it may get you through immigration. Call the passport agency to ask whether they can issue one.

Documents you must bring in person

Bring originals, not copies. The passport agency will not accept photocopies of your birth certificate, marriage certificate, or proof of citizenship. They need to see the real document. If you do not have your original birth certificate, you can order an expedited copy from your state's vital records office, but this takes days — not hours — so plan ahead if you know an emergency is coming.

For a first-time passport, you need: a completed Form DS-11 (not DS-82 or DS-64), your original birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID, proof of citizenship (passport card, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth abroad), and a new passport photo taken within six months. For a replacement passport, you need the same form, your expired or lost passport, your ID, and a new photo. Bring the original documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get lost in the shuffle.

Bring proof of the emergency: the death certificate, funeral program, hospital letter, or business letter on official letterhead. Bring it in the original form if you have it. If you have only a scanned copy or a photo on your phone, ask the agency when you call whether that is acceptable — some will work with it, others will not.

Bring payment. Most passport agencies accept cash or check for emergency fees. Some take credit cards, but do not assume it. The cost varies slightly by location and document type, but expect to pay roughly $130 to $180 for the passport itself, plus $35 to $60 for same-day execution, plus a small fee for the new photo if you do not bring one. Ask the agency for the exact amount when you call.

What happens when you arrive at the agency

Arrive early — passport agencies open at 8 or 9 a.m., and the line forms before the doors unlock. Bring all your documents in a folder. You will check in at the front desk, explain your emergency, and hand over your paperwork. The staff will review it on the spot. If anything is missing or wrong, they will tell you immediately and you will have to fix it or come back. This is why the phone call ahead matters: you can ask exactly what they need so you do not waste a trip.

If everything is in order, you will be assigned a number and told to wait. The process usually takes two to four hours, depending on how busy the agency is. You will be called to a window where an agent will take your photo, verify your documents, and process your application. Then you will pay and wait again while they print your passport. When it is ready, they will call your number and hand it to you.

You walk out with a valid U.S. passport in your hand. It is a real passport, not a temporary document. You can use it to travel immediately.

If you cannot get to an agency in time

Some emergencies happen on a weekend or holiday when passport agencies are closed. If you need to travel in the next 24 hours and cannot reach an agency, call the State Department's emergency line at 1-877-487-2778. They can sometimes issue an emergency travel document or letter that allows you to board a flight and enter certain countries even without a passport. This is not a passport — it is a temporary authorization — but it may be enough to get you where you need to go.

The emergency line is also useful if you are already abroad and your passport was lost or stolen. They can issue a temporary passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate so you can return home. If you are still in the U.S. but traveling internationally within hours, ask the emergency line whether the country you are entering will accept an expired passport with a State Department letter. Some will, some will not, and the line can tell you which.

Traveling on an expired passport or without a new one yet

If you cannot get an emergency passport before your flight, check the entry requirements for your destination. Many countries allow U.S. citizens to enter on an expired passport if it is not too old — usually within five years of expiration — and if you also carry a letter from the State Department confirming you applied for a replacement. Call the passport agency and ask them to issue this letter. It is not a passport, but immigration officers in some countries will accept it as proof that you are in the process of renewing.

Your airline may also let you board with an expired passport and a State Department letter, though they are not required to. Call the airline before you go to the airport and explain the situation. Some airlines will let you on; others will not. Getting this in writing from the airline before you arrive at the airport saves you a wasted trip.

If neither of these options works, you may have to postpone your trip. This is rare, but it happens. The alternative is to explore whether you can enter the country on a visa or travel document issued by that country's embassy or consulate, but this takes days and defeats the purpose of an emergency passport.

What to do if your emergency passport application is denied

The passport agency can deny your request if they do not believe your emergency is genuine. This happens when the documentation is weak — for example, a text message from a family member saying someone is sick, rather than a letter from a doctor. If your application is denied, ask the agent why. If it is a documentation problem, you may be able to fix it and reapply the same day.

If the agency says your situation does not meet their definition of emergency, you can ask to speak to a supervisor. Explain your circumstances. The supervisor has some discretion, though not much. If they still say no, you can file a formal appeal with the State Department's Office of Passport Services, but this takes weeks and defeats the purpose of an emergency passport.

Your other option is to pursue a standard expedited passport, which takes one to two weeks, or to explore the alternatives listed above: traveling on an expired passport with a State Department letter, or postponing your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an emergency passport if I do not have my original birth certificate?

Not on the same day. You can order an expedited birth certificate from your state's vital records office, which usually takes three to five business days, but that defeats the purpose of an emergency passport. If you have a passport card, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth abroad, you can use one of those instead of a birth certificate. Call the passport agency to confirm what they will accept.

What if I am traveling for a funeral but the service is not until next week?

The State Department considers this an emergency only if you need to leave within days to attend the service or help with arrangements. If the funeral is a week away, you have time for a standard expedited passport, which costs less and does not require you to go in person. Standard expedited takes one to two weeks. Call the passport agency to ask whether they will process your request as an emergency given your specific dates.

Can I get an emergency passport if I am out of the country?

No, not from a passport agency. If you are abroad and need a passport urgently, go to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. They can issue an emergency passport or temporary travel document on the spot. The process is similar to what happens at a U.S. passport agency, but the fees and documents required may differ slightly depending on the country.

Do I need an appointment or can I just show up?

It depends on the agency. Some require appointments through their online system; others take walk-ins. Call ahead to find out. If the agency requires an appointment and you show up without one, they may turn you away. If they take walk-ins, arrive early — the line forms before opening time and spots fill up fast.

What if I cannot afford the emergency passport fee?

The State Department does not waive emergency fees based on financial hardship. The cost is roughly $130 to $180 for the passport plus $35 to $60 for same-day execution. If you cannot pay, you cannot get an emergency passport that day. You can pursue a standard expedited passport by mail, which costs less, or explore whether you can travel without a new passport using the alternatives described above.