The 24 Hour Dash for the Pass(port)

Not so long ago, my purse was stolen. Tucked inside of that snatched purse was my passport, and I was leaving the country in two days. Since it was Sunday when all of this happened, there wasn't really much I could do. I got confusing, mixed results when I searched the Internet and when I looked into an Express Passport Service that claimed they can get you a passport in 24 hours.

I realized that after all of the back-and-forth mailing, I would not get my passport in time for my trip. Though I was pessimistic, I decided I would call the Passport Service Agency first thing in the morning to talk to a real person and get my facts straight. It was a good idea because, now, I will tell you the step-by-step story of how I got a passport in 24 hours - painlessly.

4:00 a.m. I woke up early to call the U.S. Department of State Passport Services, which opens at 6 a.m. ET. I spoke to an operator who told me there were no appointments left today and plus, if I did not have a birth certificate or old passport I would be unable to get authorization anyway.

Tired and frustrated, I was just about to go back to bed when I decided to give it one last shot. I called back and this time was connected to a woman, we'll say her name was "Nancy", who calmly and sternly guided me through my plan of action.

After telling Nancy my situation, she immediately put me on hold while she booked me an emergency appointment at the local passport agency. She then listed off the things I would need:

• 2 forms (you can get them off the internet to save time) - DS-11 and D6-64
• A birth certificate or old passport
• Driver's license (or some other form of state I.D.)
• My travel itinerary to prove I was leaving soon
• 2 passport photos

When I explained to her that I did not have my birth certificate or old passport she reassured me that they could look up my records for an additional $60 (this is assuming you already had a U.S. passport at one time). Because I did not have either of these documents, my passport would be temporary, which means I would have to come back at some point within a year (with old passport or new birth certificate) and get it reinstated (free of charge).

I then broke the news that I did not have a valid driver's license (it expired and I was waiting for a new one to come in the mail). Nancy sighed but did not loose hope as she told me that a reputable I.D. with my full name and picture on it should work. In the end, we decided that my work I.D. would suffice. As I thanked Nancy profusely, she ended our phone call with these pearls of passport wisdom, "We want to work with you, not against you. We want you to go on your trip and have a good time."

7:00 a.m. With a newfound sense of hope, I filled out the DS-11 (basic app.) and D6-64 (stolen passport) forms and went through my checklist to make sure I had everything together before I left the house.

8:00 a.m. I went to Kinkos and got my passport photo taken. Contrary to popular belief, you can smile in your photos (it's not a mug shot!).

11:00 a.m. I was lucky and the Passport Agency was only ten minutes from my work (use this locator to find the nearest location to you). I checked in and was told to sit in the waiting room and wait for my number to be called. Also, make sure you do not come hungry because no food or beverage is allowed in the building.

12:30 p.m. It took about an hour and a half before it was my turn but I brought some work with me so the time flew by. I told the agent my predicament (he said it happens quite frequently) and he took care of everything right away. The total amount was $220, which included a $60 charge for looking up my info and another $60 for expedited services. He then told me to come back at 3:00 p.m. to pick up my passport and to make sure I was on time as the office closed at 3:45 p.m.

3:15 p.m. I went to pick up my passport. I was in a bit of a rush so I was discouraged when I saw the long line.

3:30 p.m. The line went very quickly and I was out of there in 15 minutes. Passport in hand, I triumphantly exited the building. Now, all I had to do was heed Nancy's advice and "go on my trip and have a good time." Easy enough.