Same Day Passport Service in Atlanta

Editor's Note (UPDATED February 25, 2023) -- U.S. passports are taking up to seven weeks to process using the government's expedited service.  It is possible to get a passport in less time by scheduling an appointment with the Passport Agency by calling 877-487-2778 and appearing in person at their office.

Atlanta area residents who need to immediately obtain a new passport or renew their existing passport may find they have limited options.  However, if you expect to travel internationally within a few days, there are a couple of choices for rush passport services.

Passports for adults are good for 10 years and a child’s passport is good for 5 years.  Unless you monitor the expiration date on a regular basis, you can find yourself in a situation where you need to obtain a new passport immediately.  An unplanned business trip or a family emergency overseas might force you to leave the country with little to no advance notice.  You might realize your passport is about to expire (or has already lapsed) or is damaged.

The U.S. State Department suggests renewing your passport at least nine months before its expiration date.  One reason is that some countries require anyone entering their borders to hold a passport that expires at least six months beyond their departure date.  Another is that the normal renewal process can take up to 3 months.

If you need a passport issued on the same day, you will have to visit the U.S. Passport Agency in downtown Atlanta.  If there are no appointments available, you will need to contact a private service such as Visa Supply to expedite your passport application.  However, our fastest turnaround time for a passport will be one week.  

Apply in Person at the Atlanta Passport Agency

If you must obtain a passport within 24 hours, you will need to schedule an appointment with the Atlanta Passport Agency by calling 877-487-2778.  The Atlanta Passport Agency is located above the Peachtree Center MARTA station downtown (230 Peachtree Street #1000, Atlanta, GA 30303).  Try to give yourself plenty of lead time; the agency is busy during the leadup to the spring and summer travel season, so it might not have appointments available when you need them.

You are only eligible to apply in person at The Atlanta Passport Agency if you can prove you are traveling within the next two weeks (or for countries that require a visa, within four weeks).  To renew an existing passport (for passports issued less than 15 years ago), you will need to bring your old passport to the appointment.  If your name has changed since your prior passport was issued, you also need to bring documentation of that change (such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree).  The passport renewal application can be completed in person at the passport agency and you can pay the $190 expedited fee by credit card. 

For a new passport application (if you have never had a passport, your passport expired more than 15 years ago, you lost your passport or it has been damaged, or you previously had a child’s passport) you will bring the following documents:

  • Your long-form birth certificate or a government-certified copy of that certificate. {If you need to order a new copy of your birth certificate, we recommend using VitalChek (https://www.vitalchek.com), a private company with an easy-to-use process}
  • For naturalized citizens, their original certificate of naturalization.
  • State-issued driver’s license.
  • One photo that meets all passport image criteria, and properly attached to the application. (See https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html.)  You can also have you photo taken at the passport agency but it’s best to have this already prepared.  
  • A check or money payable to the U.S. State Department.  The expedited fee for an adult passport is $190 and $160 for a child’s passport.  For a full list of fees, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html.
  • You will also pay the $35 passport acceptance agent fee, also known as the execution fee, to the Atlanta Passport Agency.  Note: You can pay both the expedited fee for the passport book and the acceptance agent fee by credit card, but we recommend bringing your checkbook with you as a backup. 

For your appointment with the Atlanta Passport Agency please bring the following:

  • Your appointment confirmation number
  • Your old passport for renewals, or documents listed above for a new passport.
  • Proof of travel plans, such as your flight itinerary, hotel reservation, or cruise tickets. 
  • One passport photo.
  • A method of payment.  The passport agency takes major credit cards, debit cards, cash, checks and money orders. 

Contact information, directions and other details about the Atlanta Passport Agency are available at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies/atlanta.html.

Appearing at the Atlanta Passport Agency is more expensive because you are paying the expedited fee to the government and it is less convenient than using a passport acceptance facility because you have to deal with the hassle of going downtown, but it is a great option when you need a passport quickly.  The agency will typically issue your passport the same day or the following day.  It is also less expensive than using a private passport expediter like Visa Supply.  

Using a Private Service

If you unable to get an appointment with the Atlanta Passport Agency, you can also use a private passport expediter such as Visa Supply to fulfill your urgent travel needs.  Many private passport expediters advertise “24-hour service” but please be aware that no service can deliver a passport the same day; there are transport times that should be factored in as explained below.

The Atlanta Passport Agency has elected not to work with private passport expediters, however, there are passport agencies in other cities that do allow private couriers to submit applications on behalf of their clients.  The private passport expeditor (like Visa Supply) can overnight your application to one of their couriers in those cities (for example, Miami, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and others).  These passport agencies can process the application that day, and then the courier will send the new passport to you via overnight FedEx.  While this scenario would include “same day” processing at the passport agency, the extra transit time means it will actually take three days to get your new passport (assuming FedEx is not delayed by weather or other delivery issues).

Using a private courier service is expensive, however, it may be your only choice if appointments are not available downtown and there are only a few days before your trip.  You may also not be able or willing to travel downtown, particularly if you live or work outside metropolitan Atlanta.  Visa Supply is located in Sandy Springs, which is a more convenient option for many who live and work in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. 

You will still need to supply the courier service with the same documentation listed above, including proof of your immediate need to travel internationally.  There are also addition fees with a private service.  Visa Supply's fees range in price from $300 - $700, in addition to the government’s $190 processing charges.  Our fee includes overnight FedEx expenses; arranging same-day service with the out-of-state passport agency; assistance completing the application; and taking your passport photo.

Atlanta and Georgia residents with questions about same-day service for their U.S. passport -- or who would like Visa Supply to handle the procedures -- can schedule a telephone call through our website.  Our free consultation will guide you through each step in the process.