Earlier this year, I had a trip planned to Turkey and Egypt, but my passport was set to expire within six months. I couldn’t afford to be without it for the extended wait time of a routine renewal. I was able to get an expedited passport in the past at the Western Passport Office in Tucson, so I decided to go ahead and book my travel.
You can schedule an in-person appointment at their office for an expedited passport service, but only if you have already booked your travel and can provide proof of ticketing. Additionally, the appointment must be within 14 days of your departure. There is a $60 fee for the expedited service. I waited until I was within the two-week window, called the scheduling number (1-877-487-2778), and secured an in-person appointment a few days later. I walked out with my updated passport in hand within just a few hours. Bam!
My first experience with the Tucson passport office was several years ago when I needed to travel to Canada on short notice with my three children for a family emergency. To my panic, I discovered their passports had expired two weeks earlier – D’oh!
Not only did I lack the usual several weeks to get passports renewed, but new laws at the time required all minors to apply in person at a passport agency office, even for renewals. With only a few days left before our trip, I considered using a private passport expediting service, but even they couldn’t make it happen, no matter how much I was willing to pay. With no other options, I reluctantly had to put my trust in the system.
I managed to get an appointment at the Tucson Passport office—the very last one of the day – on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. We had already purchased tickets to fly out on the holiday Monday. I picked up my kids right after school and, with cautious optimism, arrived at the Tucson passport office 30 minutes early. I wasn’t expecting much, but to my surprise, I felt like I had stepped into an alternate universe—could it be a friendly and efficient government office?
We were greeted by smiling security guards and immediately taken care of. I had all the necessary documents perfectly organized, and the intake paperwork was processed in less than 30 minutes. We didn’t even have time to sit down before being called to the next window. Two hours after arriving, we left with three expedited passports in hand. If it hadn’t happened to me, I wouldn’t have believed it!
Since the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative took effect in 2009, all travelers need a valid passport (or NEXUS card) to enter or leave the United States, even for travel to Canada or Mexico. Make sure your passport is always up to date, with an expiration date at least six months beyond your planned departure.
While travel plans can sometimes be unexpected, at least in Arizona, we have a reliable backup option for expedited passport renewal.
