Get a passport in 2 days

[welshbard]

Yes, it is possible to get a passport in two days, and it doesn't require your firstborn or a time machine.

We discovered that we both needed passports for a trip to Canada this weekend. Panic. Then check the State Department passport website and calm down.

Here's what you do:

1. Take a well-lit photo of your partner and yourself against a white background. Photo must meet certain requirements.
2. Use free software to generate image of proper proportions. I used CamToPrint.
3. Take modified photo file to local quick photo place, such as Walgreens or CVS. Cam to Print gives 6 photos on a 4x6 print.
4. Find your nearest Passport Agency. Here in Minneapolis, it is in the Federal Building in downtown Minneapolis. There are 25 scattered around the country.
5. Bring all your paperwork, such as your old passport, marriage certificate if your old passport doesn't have your married name on it, etc. The list is available at the Travel/Passport site of the State Department, given above.
6. Pay the fee ($110 for passport book) plus $60 Expedite fee.
7. Get your passport in less than 5 days. Ours will take 2 days.

Our adventure yesterday was like a home improvement project -- it took three trips. (1) We forgot the marriage certificate and I drove home to retrieve it, and (2) they didn't like my photos because the background wasn't white enough. Luckily, the downtown Post Office is two blocks away from the Federal Building. Two photos and $30 later, I returned to the passport office and gave them the photos.