Southeast Iowa business trip to London with two weeks notice? Mississippi River cruise and your passport expired? Snake Alley Art Fair weekend trip to Canada need fast documents? We help Burlington residents get their passports fast — as fast as 24 hours. A+ BBB rated registered State Dept. courier. Best price guarantee. No office visit required.
Start My PassportProcessing Times
3 Ways to Get a U.S. Passport
Option 1
Registered Courier
Urgent
2–9 Days
Standard
3–5 Weeks
The U.S. Department of State created the registered courier program to give travelers another option. For urgent travel, registered couriers have daily submission availability that can deliver passports in as little as 2–9 days. For travelers with more time, a 3–5 week service provides personalized support throughout the entire process.
Option 2
Post Office / Mail-In
1–2 Months
The DIY route is the option most travelers know. Apply at a local acceptance facility or renew by mail or online when eligible. It's often the lowest-cost option and works well if you have plenty of time before your trip. If an issue is discovered after submission, you'll be notified by USPS and your application will be placed on hold until the problem is resolved by mail. Not recommended within 30 days of departure.
Option 3
Regional Agency
24 Hours
Emergency-only in-person visits at a U.S. Department of State Passport Agency. Requires a confirmed NPIC appointment and documented urgent travel with proof. Applicants should expect to spend most of the day at the agency and may be instructed to return the following business day to pick up their passport.
Business Days
Weeks
Months
Hours*
The Chicago Passport Agency is the nearest passport agency — Located in downtown Chicago — approximately 275 miles east of Burlington via I-74/I-55. You must secure an NPIC appointment in advance — no walk-ins permitted. Be prepared: the drive, parking, wait time, and possibly being told to return the next day to pick up your passport can turn a one-day trip into two.
*Processing speed depends on eligibility and documentation. Not all applicants qualify for Regional Agency Processing.
Our Services
Whether you need a renewal, a first-time passport, or an emergency replacement — Fast Passport Center handles it with reserved courier submission availability.
International flight in 24–72 hours? Our emergency courier service submits directly via reserved agency slots — as fast as 24 hours. For urgent, last-minute travel that cannot wait.
Already hold a U.S. passport? We help residents renew fast — no agency visit required for most renewals. Perfect for professionals, families, and retirees preparing for international travel.
First-time applicants require an in-person acceptance clerk visit. We guide you through every step with clear instructions for the nearest acceptance location.
Replacements require additional forms. We guide you through DS-64 and everything needed to avoid costly mistakes — so your international connection or overseas trip is not derailed.
Minors require parental participation and an in-person acceptance step. We provide clear instructions and checklists so your family vacation or trip abroad stays on schedule.
After marriage, divorce, or a legal name change — we assist with corrected passports so your travel documents match your reservations. Common for professionals after name changes.
Need a second passport for frequent international travel? Ideal for corporate executives, tech workers, and consultants who travel internationally while their primary passport is in visa processing.
Replacing a significantly damaged passport is faster than you think. We guide you through the process so your international itinerary or corporate travel stays on track.
The passport card is a wallet-size travel document for land and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. We expedite passport card applications with the same courier service as book passports.
Service Area
Fast Passport Center — Serving Burlington Area
Serving all of Des Moines County and the Mississippi River region including Lee, Henry, and Louisa counties
Serving all of Des Moines County and the Mississippi River region including Lee, Henry, and Louisa counties
Courier pickup available throughout the Burlington area
Local Office — By Appointment Only
525 N Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Visit us by appointment, or choose courier pickup and drop-off for added convenience.
Fast Passport Center serves Burlington remotely via secure courier. We do not have a walk-in office in Burlington — our registered couriers hand-deliver your documents directly to U.S. Department of State processing facilities. This is how we achieve 24–48 hour turnaround for Des Moines County and Southeast Iowa.
Start My Passport24–48 Hour Processing
Emergency courier submission for urgent Southeast Iowa departures
Registered Courier
U.S. Department of State approved passport expediting
Dedicated Agent
A real person assigned to your case from start to finish
Mississippi River Region
Serving Burlington, Fort Madison, Keokuk, and the Tri-State area
We serve all Burlington neighborhoods and the surrounding Southeast Iowa area including West Burlington, Fort Madison, Mount Pleasant, Keokuk, Muscatine, Mediapolis, Danville, Fairfield, Ottumwa, and Washington. If you are anywhere in Des Moines County, Lee County, or the Mississippi River Valley, we have you covered.
Why Travelers Choose Fast Passport Center
Reviews
Burlington and Des Moines County travelers trust us when their departure is days away. Here is what some of them have to say.
“Our Italy vacation was in 5 days and I realized my passport had expired. Fast Passport Center had my renewal in 32 hours. I never left Burlington. Snake Alley to Rome in a week — insanity!”
Patricia V.
Burlington, IA
“Medical emergency in Mexico City. Fast Passport Center got my passport in 26 hours. The dedicated agent handled everything. Best service I've ever used.”
Ron C.
Fort Madison, IA
“Both kids needed first passports for our Caribbean cruise. Fast Passport Center walked us through the child passport process. Got them in 4 days. Amazing for Southeast Iowa families.”
Kathy M.
West Burlington, IA
Passport Acceptance Clerks
First-time applicants — and most applicants who are not eligible for a standard mail-in renewal or a second passport — must apply in person at a passport acceptance clerk, and all locations require an appointment. This is the self-service option, typically chosen by those on a tighter budget who have at least 1–2+ months before travel and don't mind the slower, standard processing times.
If you want to use a registered U.S. Department of State courier to receive your passport in as little as 3 days, you must sign up with Fast Passport Center before going to the clerk. Once you apply at the clerk, your documents are sent through the standard route, and we cannot intervene or upgrade it to an expedited courier service afterward.
Primary Burlington facility. Appointments strongly recommended. Call ahead to confirm passport acceptance hours.
Accepts passport applications. Good alternative to post office. Appointment recommended.
Serves Lee County. Full passport services available.
Serves Keokuk and Tri-State area. Full passport services available.
Serves Henry County. Full passport services available.
Last chance — sign up now, before your clerk visit
If you need your passport fast, sign up with Fast Passport Center before you walk into that clerk appointment. Once your documents go through the standard route, they're gone — there's no pulling them back, no upgrading, no saving you after the fact. Don't wait and hope it works out.
Emergency Passports
If you need your passport within two weeks, the Chicago Passport Agency is your only do-it-yourself option — Located in downtown Chicago — approximately 275 miles east of Burlington via I-74/I-55. Getting an appointment there is rarely straightforward. Fast Passport Center gives you a faster, simpler path without the uncertainty.
Regional passport agency appointments are routinely booked 2–4 weeks out — and walk-ins are never accepted. If you searched for an appointment and came up empty, Fast Passport Center's registered courier channel is your fastest next step. No appointment. No waiting in line at the federal building. Processing as fast as 2–3 business days.
Get StartedChicago Passport Agency — 101 Ida B. Wells Drive, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 — Located in downtown Chicago — approximately 275 miles east of Burlington via I-74/I-55
Avoid Delays
Burlington travelers often face a 4.5-hour drive to the nearest regional passport agency in Chicago. Here are the most common mistakes that cause delays.
Burlington photo shops often use generic sizes. Passport photos must be exactly 2×2 inches with a white or off-white background.
Missing signatures or using the wrong form type are the #1 reasons for rejection at Des Moines County acceptance facilities.
Fees change frequently. Many Burlington applicants show up with incorrect payment and have to reschedule their appointment.
Without flight confirmation or travel itinerary, the Chicago regional agency will turn you away for emergency appointments.
For minors, both parents must appear or submit notarized consent. This trips up many Southeast Iowa families at the clerk.
Burlington travelers often assume standard processing will be fine. It takes 8–11 weeks. Start expedited at least 3 weeks before travel.
We check everything for you.
Fast Passport Center reviews your documents before submission — so you don't have to worry about these mistakes causing a delay.
Simple Process
Most Burlington travelers complete everything online and ship documents overnight. No need to drive to Chicago or wait in line at the regional agency.
Complete your application on our secure website in under 10 minutes.
We send you a prepaid overnight label. Drop your documents at any UPS location in Burlington.
Our team checks every document for accuracy before hand-delivering to the State Department.
Your passport is processed at a U.S. Department of State facility using our registered courier slots.
We overnight your new passport back to your Burlington address — trackable every step of the way.
Most Burlington travelers start online and ship documents overnight — no office visit required for most services.
Questions?
Have questions about expedited passports in Burlington? Here are the most common ones we hear from Southeast Iowa travelers.
Yes. Fast Passport Center provides emergency passport services in Burlington for travelers with urgent international flights. Our registered couriers hand-deliver your documents directly to U.S. Department of State facilities, achieving 24–48 hour turnaround — without the 4.5-hour drive to Chicago.
Still have questions? Our team is here to help.
Call 877-253-0084Local Resources
Getting your passport ready involves more than just the application. Here are local resources to help you gather everything you need.
Passport Photos
Passport Photo Locations in Burlington
Your passport application requires two identical 2"×2" passport photos taken within the last 6 months. Popular passport photo locations in Burlington include:
Tip: Wear a plain white or off-white top, no glasses, neutral expression. Photos must meet strict U.S. State Department specifications — ask the technician to confirm compliance before you leave.
Vital Records
Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records — Burlington
If you need a certified copy of your birth certificate for a passport application, a marriage certificate for a name change, or a divorce decree to support your passport correction, here are the official sources for vital records for Burlington residents. Most records can be ordered online for delivery within 5–10 business days.
Iowa Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage)
Get RecordsDes Moines County Recorder
Get RecordsFort Madison Recorder
Get RecordsKeokuk Recorder
Get RecordsDon't see your county? If the record you need was issued outside the area, visit VitalChek.com — the official online service for ordering vital records nationwide across all U.S. states and counties.
Driver's License & State ID
DMV Services Near Burlington
A valid government-issued photo ID is required for your passport application. If you need a new or renewed driver's license or REAL ID, here are the DMV service locations near Burlington.
Iowa DOT — Burlington
3131 Kirkwood St, Burlington, IA 52601
Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM
Driver license and REAL ID services. Appointment recommended.
Iowa DOT — Mount Pleasant
109 E Washington St, Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM
Serves Henry County. REAL ID available. Appointment recommended.
Iowa DOT — Fort Madison
2683 340th St, Fort Madison, IA 52627
Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM
Serves Lee County. REAL ID available.
Appointment recommended — walk-in wait times can be long. Book your slot online before visiting.
Airports
Airports Serving Burlington Travelers
Burlington travelers use nearby airports for domestic and international travel. If your trip is coming up fast, make sure your passport is in hand well before your departure date.
Southeast Iowa Regional Airport
2515 Summer St, Burlington, IA 52601
Regional airport with direct flights to St. Louis via Air Choice One. About 10 minutes from downtown Burlington.
BRL AirportQuad Cities International Airport
2200 69th Ave, Moline, IL 61265
Regional airport with direct flights to major hubs. About 1 hour 25 minutes from Burlington.
MLI AirportDes Moines International Airport
5800 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
Major Iowa airport with direct flights nationwide. About 2 hours 45 minutes from Burlington.
DSM AirportPassport required for all international flights. If your departure is within two weeks, standard processing won't make it in time — expedited processing through Fast Passport Center is your most reliable option.
Service Network
Fast Passport Center provides emergency passport and expedited passport processing in Iowa. We also serve travelers in nearby states including Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri. Click a state below for local acceptance facilities, processing times, and fast passport options.
Ready to Get Started?
Start your secure order online. We handle the rest — document review, reserved agency submission, and predictable processing. No agency lines. No guessing.
Get Started