How to get your Passport FAST

To get a Passport as fast as possible, you will need to use an expediting service.

Your Passport is the strongest form of ID that you can have in the USA. It's stronger than your State ID and Birth Certificate. 

I work with a company that expedites Passports and does all of the processing online.

Use this link to contact them and tell them that I sent you:

There are a lot of extra fees associated with getting your US Passport when you do it this way. If you still would like to do it that way and the company above has a process too complicated for you, send me an email at [email protected] and for a fee, I will 3-way the call and navigate the whole process with you.

The great thing is you don't need to use an expedited service. Acquiring a Passport in GA, NY, NJ, LA, MIAMI, and most major cities is a pretty straightforward and easy process.

So let's start the not-so-long process of getting a Passport the Regular way.

I'm going to show you how to get your Passport in 5 easy steps.

We will discuss the ins and outs of :

Why do we need a Passport?

To put it short, Country officials want to know who is coming in and out of their country.

Checking your Passport at entry points gives them a chance to vet you to make sure you are not up to no good and can be found in case questioning is needed

It also gives them an idea of their country's tourism needs

But my philosophical answer for needing a US Passport goes like this:

In the past, a young boy or girl would have to kill a wild animal with their bare hands or survive in the wilderness, alone for a certain amount of days to test their survival skills.

It was sort of a "rite of passage."

But as our world became more civilized, Those rituals have disappeared

Our youth have safer ways to prove they have a quote/unquote "Arrived"

To me, the ability to leave this country when you feel like it is practically taking the training wheels off of a travel-seeking soul.

Being on your own, without the guardianship of your parents, your state, or even your country is a symbol that you've made that transition from kid to adult

You're ready to conquer the world

Your US passport allows you to travel safely to foreign lands without escort or supervision.

I realized a lot of people already have withered passports that have been stamped numerous times but this step-by-step guide is made for those that'll be traveling out in the country for the first time.

But stick around Travel Veterans, you may learn something too.

What do I need to get a Passport?

1. First and foremost get a haircut and ladies, get yourself "done up"

You will be taking a picture today, that's going to be sticking with you for the next ten years. You may as well look your best. I also wore a collared shirt that day. However, it's not necessary. Just look presentable.

You can't wear a hat a scarf or sunglasses. You know, anything that can block any piece of your face. However, you can wear prescription glasses and hearing aids. They make exceptions for anything that's necessary and that you usually have on when going through customs in an airport. 

They want you to look exactly like this picture whenever you get it stamped or use it as a form of ID.

2. Call your local post office and tell them that you're coming in to get your Passport.

Ask them "when is the best time to be there?

How to Get a Passport in Atlanta GA

Go to your nearest Post office.

Some post offices allow walk-ins. Hopefully, the one closest to you does. If not, just make the appointment they offer and postpone your haircut to a new day. Thankfully in my case, they told me to come in that day.

Before you go, grab your old beat-up Birth Certificate out of your important papers stash, and grab about two hundred dollars.

This is around of time when some people are going to say:

"$200 dollars? I don't have that kind of money!"

Then they'll wipe off their $250 Yeezys, stand up and unzip their Louis Vuitton bag, and gently place their latest iPhone into it, while they storm off.

To those people, I'll say this blog is not for you. You are too busy impressing people who care nothing about you. The world is not the upside-down fishbowl that a lot of those people act like they live under.

Don't let that be you. They have the money. They're just not prioritizing travel.

But for you, your Journey into Royalty is almost done.

3. Don't owe child support to the government

This is a precautionary step that I go into in more detail in my post about things that could get your Passport Application denied.

If you have any concerns about getting it denied like owed child support or felonies, check out my in-depth checklist here: Things that could get your Passport application Denied

4. Walk-in.

Make sure you grab your Birth Certificate and bring it with you.

You can stop by any Rite Aid, Walmart, Walgreens, or any print shop to get to picture taken.

Let them know the pictures are for your passport and they will be sure to print them in the exact size and fashion that the Post Office requires.

This stop will save you about $7 dollars.

However, by the time you do this money-saving tip, it may become a hassle.

Driving around, the people at the printing shop can be off for the day, haven't started their shift yet, or just can't figure out how to work the machine.

If you're gonna waste time on the line, you might as well already be at the post office. $7 or unnecessary Hassle?

You Choose!

That's why I said to bring $200. In most cities, a passport costs $140 to process. The extra money is so you can get it all done in one place.

5. Tell the post office worker that you're here to get your passport!

They may let you skip the people in line who are mailing off packages.

They ask that you fill out the DS-11 form

You can print this form out online and fill it out at home, but you have to come to the Post Office anyway. You may as well get it and fill it in at the post office. It is not a complicated form.

Plus, the teller will be able to help you if there is any part you don't understand and they have to sign it and stamp it.

They will make you raise your hand and swear an oath to not use your brand new Passport in nefarious ways.

Then if needed, they will take your pictures.

They will then put your Application and Birth certificate into an envelope and send it off.

You are all done!

How Long does it take to get a Passport?

About two weeks later, your brand spanking new, unstamped Passport will arrive in the mail! In about three weeks, your birth certificate will arrive as well.

The whole process from first walking into the Post Office until having your Passport in your Hand will most times happen in less than a Month

And there you have it, folks!

Your freedom to travel abroad in only five easy steps.

You're now able to go where no one on your old block has gone before.

You can tell the people at your job that you WILL be joining them on the next Yacht party in Aruba or Girls' Trip to Jamaica.

Do you need a Passport for a Carnival Cruise or a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

If you're just going on a cruise, most times, you DO NOT need your passport.

A Birth Certificate works just fine.

While in another country by way of Cruising, most countries will consider the room on the boat as your Hotel Room.

You are not officially visiting their country like if you were getting off of a plane and staying there for a couple of days.

The Card that the cruise company gives you serves as your ID while abroad under the cruise line's care, but to be safe, and if you can, keep your US ID with you as well. They don't care about you THAT much!!

Passport Renewal

According to Travel.State.Gov, renewing your US Passport is a 6-7 step process.

The most important step is Filling out a DS-82 form.

After that, you will need to Submit your old Passport and include any name changes you need on the new documents.

Next, provide a new photo of how you look NOW.

Calculate your fees which can be done here and lastly mail in your completed form.

You can track the status online with this link and the whole process should be just as fast as getting your first Passport.