The U.S. Department of State is the part of the government that processes passport applications and issues U.S. Passports to United States citizens. In the case that an applicant needs an expedited passport, Fastport Passport works as a third party service to go between the passport applicant and the U.S. Department of State to secure the new passport in 14 days or less. We can even secure passports for applicants in as little as 24 hours if needed.

If you need an expedited passport, one of the most important documents that you will need to submit with your application and other required IDs is the Fastport Passport Authorization Letter. The Authorization Letter is a document signed by the passport applicant that authorizes Fastport Passport to handle your passport and courier your vital documents to the U.S. Department of State for expediting.

If you are applying for a new expedited passport for an adult or child, or are applying to replace a lost or stolen passport, you must visit your local acceptance agent to sign your DS-11 and seal your documents into an official hand-carry envelope before you send your documents to Fastport Passport. When you are at the acceptance agent, be sure that s/he seals a copy of your Authorization Letter inside the hand-carry envelope.

***As mandated by the U.S. Department of state, it is required that the Authorization Letter is included with the DS-11 form INSIDE the hand-carry/adjudicated envelope before you submit the envelope to your third party expediter, Fastport Passport. ***

Please remember: if the Authorization Letter is not included inside the hand-carry envelope at the time of acceptance, then the applicant must reappear in person at the same acceptance agent to properly re-execute another hand-carry envelope that does include the Letter of Authorization. Processing delays will occur if this procedure is not followed. 

For more information on expediting passports, or specific questions regarding proper adjudicating procedures for your acceptance agent, please call or visit one of our locations on Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm EST, or visit our website to chat live with a passport expert during business hours.