The U.S. government has also introduced passport cards designed to speed border crossings by U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean by car, rail or boat. The government approved the wallet-size cards as a cheaper and more convenient alternative to passport books. They may be used only by citizens returning to the United States through land or seaports from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Air travelers must carry full passport books.

The cards emit a radio signal picked up by Customs and Border Protection officers at checkpoints. The signal provides inspectors with a file number linked to passport data on each cardholder. The cards are handy for frequent border crossers, and cost just $55 for a first-time adult applicant, rather than the $135 fee for a passport book.  They can be ordered standard issue or expedited.  They are “swiped” at the border as a credit card is swiped at a terminal- the information coded in the back magnetic strip.

There are different options available to expedite passport renewal. The option you choose will determine how fast your application is processed. You have two assets: time and money. Each option requires a specific amount of time. Each has certain costs involved. You have to decide how much time you require in relation to how much you can pay. The information below helps you decide the best option to expedite passport renewal.

(1) You can get a fast passport renewal through the U.S. Department of State Passport Services. The time to expedite your mailed passport application can vary from 2 to 3 weeks. You first have to fill out and sign Form DS-82. Put the application, with your old passport, photos and application fee in an envelope. Make sure to write “Expedited Passport Renewal” on the front of the envelope. Note that if your current passport was altered or heavily damaged in any way, you will have to renew your passport in person rather than through the mail.

(2) If you plan to travel in less than 2 weeks, you can also apply at a regional passport agency for fast passport renewal. By using this option, you can usually get your passport the same or following day you present your application. You have to appear in person by appointment at a regional passport agency. These offices are located in Aurora, Colorado; Boston; Chicago; Detroit; Honolulu; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; Minneapolis; New Orleans; New York; Norwalk, Connecticut; Philadelphia; San Francisco; Seattle; and Washington, D.C. You also have to show documented proof of the emergency.

(3) Another option for getting quick passport renewal is to use an expedited U.S. Passport Renewal Service. This is a good alternative if you have less than 1 week before your departure date and cannot travel to a regional passport agency. You can authorize a passport expediting service to get your passport renewed. Many passport and visa expediters offer downloadable applications and renewal forms on their websites for added convenience.