How do I speak to an agent for my US passport?

To register for an appointment at an American Consulate or Embassy, you need to follow these steps.

Before you begin, make sure you are familiar with the location of your local US Consulate or Embassy. First, use a Web browser on your computer (Google) to find the location of the US Consulate or Embassy in your area. For example, if you live in Chicago, type Chicago US Consulate into the search box, and it should take you directly to the right information. Once you find the location, the address will be available. Find a street address or a zip code number. A Web address can change, so you should double-check the address yourself. Once you have found the correct address, follow the directions to your closest US Consulate or Embassy and you will be there!

If you know the US Consulate or Embassy is only a few minutes away, you can show up at any time during their office hours. They'll get to you when they get to you! If you cannot find an address for your location online, simply call the Consular Service Line at 1-877-382-8144 and speak with a representative. You can also request an appointment on this number by using one of these three methods: Make an online appointment by visiting our official appointment page at www.passport.gov/go/agency/consular-locations or calling the Consular Service Line at 1-877-382-8144. Click the schedule an appointment link for the location you wish to visit. Fill in all of the requested information, then select a new appointment from the drop-down menu that appears next to Schedule Interview and click the button to confirm your scheduling. After scheduling an appointment, you will receive a confirmation email.

If you are making a telephone appointment and you do not receive a confirmation email, it means that your call did not go through. If you do receive a confirmation email, ignore the phone and email notification. Your phone calls go directly to voicemail, and your email notification that your appointment went through will take a few days to arrive. We recommend setting your alarm for two days in the future, in case you missed that email notification!

Use this phone number to schedule an appointment: 1-877-382-8144.

What is the fastest way to get a US passport?

How to find out the fastest way to get a US passport?

I am planning to travel to the United States for the first time in November. I am currently in the Netherlands, and I have two flights within three days, so I know I would be arriving at Dulles International Airport. I am going to visit my daughter who lives in New York City, and I want to return from New York as soon as possible, but I want to do it at a minimal cost. My question is: How can I get a US passport with the least amount of waiting and hassle?

This Question originally appeared on Quora. It answers questions about the fastest way to do things, and you should add your own answer if you have more to say.

3 Answers.
I assume you are asking how to obtain a PIV (Passport Information Verification) from the embassy as this will eliminate the need for a passport application. If you are already working in the US it is pretty easy. Just call the US Department of State, ask for a "Foreign Worker Waiver", or fill in the online form.

On the other hand, if you have just arrived in the US it is difficult as you are a foreigner and the embassy does not have a procedure for processing visa waivers. They are normally processed only by the consulate but they will only do this with the prior consent of the consular official. You can try to go into the consulate yourself to apply but the consulate probably won't be open for business and no one will tell you that you cannot come in. They usually do not keep their doors open during US Thanksgiving which means no access either. On the other hand you may be able to get away with a letter from a citizen of a consular officer's jurisdiction explaining your situation and asking for permission. In that case you can still go in.

You do have an option of hiring an agent to do everything for you. The cost of this will vary depending on the agent's fee and where you live. I have never done this so I don't know what the fee would be. Usually the agent takes care of all the paperwork and gets you the visa, gets you the passport, and even gets you the ticket on the airplane. So if you are on a tight schedule, use an agent.

There are a number of other options but we're talking about 3 days in November here.