Last Minute Passport - is it possible?

If he hurries, chances are he’ll be okay. We just used the expedited service in October for a renewal for a family member, and the new passport arrived in one week. Ask him to review all of the information online regarding what’s required prior to visiting the post office. BTW, the birth certificate must be one with a raised (official) seal. And, the processor informed us that the application must be completed using black ink. I couldn’t find this mentioned anywhere online or on any paperwork, but I took her at her word and used a pen with black ink. Last up…make sure he brings his check book, because the extra fees for processing and shipping will set him back a bit. If he buys the airline ticket now, he might wish to consider travel insurance with a cancel for any reason option. Pricing should be about 3-4% of his trip cost, but it will allow him to cancel a trip/flight with a non-refundable/non-changeable ticket and recover up to 100% of his trip cost should something go haywire that prevents him from travelling (i.e. problem with getting the passport in time). Travelex sells policies that should work. There are many others...insuremytrip.com is s good place to compare. Good luck…I think he’ll be fine.

My daughter, who lives in Houston, was asked to go to Mexico City on short notice, all expenses paid. Since her passport had expired, she had to renew it in a hurry and she had to show that she had a plane ticket. Everything worked out for her, but I don't remember how many weeks it was before her trip when she got her appointment. I think it was more than two weeks.

This is one time you may have to trust the government. I would have him call the Minn office and get the exact details of what is needed and the assurance that if everything is correct the max time. Then do it. I would be concerned about having an acceptable copy of the birth certificate.

Years ago, long before 9/11, I received my first passport in three hours from the Chicago office. I would not expect that to happen today.

Jessica - Here's the link to the US Passport Agency office in Minneapolis.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_4503.html

There are specific instructions for getting a passport appointment for travel within 14 days. I had to do this a few years ago about 5 days before a trip as I didn't realize my passport expired. It took some time as I had to wait a couple of hours before I was seen, but I received my passport the next morning.

Your brother will probably have to go in for his appointment then return either later that day or the next to pick up his passport. In order to be seen at the Passport Agency office, the applicant has to have proof of travel which is usually the issued airline ticket. He could probably book then appointment and then book his ticket, but he can't apply for his passport without the ticket.

Julie’s recommendation is definitely your best bet. I was discussing this one with a friend last night and learned about a colleague of hers who received her passport last year at the agency in Chicago all in the same day. I didn’t realize you could get one that quickly until last night. We didn’t need the renewal that quickly and don’t have an agency in Iowa, but I would drive the 3 hours to Minneapolis before I gave up on an opportunity to take a last minute trip. Sounds like your brother will make it! :)

The best option is to go straight to the office with passport photos in hand (from AAA or other photographer). If you do it right away and pay to expedite, you will probably be okay. There isn't a backlog right now so things seem to be turning pretty quickly.

I know a friend of mine got his passport in 3 days (before 9/11) and he went to a specialized agency I think.
I would google to find if there are any in your area.

Bea: Julie pointed out that there is an official government agency right in Minneapolis. Actually, Jessica mentioned this in her OP, but I didn't pick up on it. The next nearest is in Chicago. :)

Julie nailed it. Do exactly what she said and you'll be okay.

I've actually heard that the expediting agencies can do an excellent job of getting a passport for you fast. There used to be a way to "walk through" for an expedited passport that can get it for you that day, but I don't know if they do that anymore, except for something like a family emergency.

Definitely, your brother will need proof that he is traveling somewhere in the next two weeks no matter how he gets the passport. My suggestion is that he buy the cheapest fully refundable international ticket he can find - doesn't matter where as long as it's outside the US - then go try to get the expedited passport. If he can't get it, he gets a refund on his ticket. If he can get it, he exchanges that ticket for a reasonably priced nonrefundable ticket to where he actually wants to go.