Oak Ridge — the Secret City — home to ORNL and Y-12. Fast Passport Center's registered couriers deliver to the Nashville Passport Agency so ORNL scientists, DOE contractors, and Anderson County families get passports as fast as 24 hours. As a registered U.S. Department of State courier, we offer a best price guarantee and rates 30–100% lower than third-party resellers. No 180-mile drive to Nashville.
Start My PassportProcessing Times
Oak Ridge — the Secret City home to ORNL — is about 180 miles from the Nashville Passport Agency. For ORNL scientists with CERN collaborations, DOE contractors with international assignments, and Anderson County families, that 180-mile drive is nearly 6 hours round trip. Here is how your passport processing options compare.
Hours*
Oak Ridge does not have a regional passport agency. The nearest is the Nashville Passport Agency at 805 Broadway — approximately 180 miles west via I-40. Oak Ridge's location on major transportation corridors makes overnight courier routing efficient and reliable.
Business Days
Weeks
Months
*Processing speed depends on eligibility and documentation. Oak Ridge is approximately 180 miles from the Nashville Passport Agency. 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 Oak Ridge Area
Serving all of Anderson County and the East Tennessee corridor
Serving all of Anderson County and the East Tennessee corridor
Courier pickup available throughout the Oak Ridge area
Local Office — By Appointment Only
805 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Visit us by appointment, or choose courier pickup and drop-off for added convenience.
Fast Passport Center serves Oak Ridge remotely via secure courier. Our registered couriers hand-deliver your documents to the Nashville Passport Agency at 805 Broadway — approximately 180 miles west. Oak Ridge's location in Anderson County, combined with its concentration of ORNL scientists and DOE contractors who frequently travel internationally, makes our courier service essential for the Secret City's globally-connected community.
Start My Passport24–48 Hour Processing
Courier delivery to Nashville Passport Agency — 180 miles from Oak Ridge via I-40
Registered Courier
U.S. Department of State approved passport expediting
East TN Scientific Hub
Serving Oak Ridge, Clinton, Norris, and all Anderson County
Dedicated Agent
A real person assigned to your Oak Ridge case from start to finish
We serve Oak Ridge and nearby communities including Clinton, Norris, Lake City, Oliver Springs, Kingston, Harriman, and the entire Anderson County area.
Why Travelers Choose Fast Passport Center
Reviews
Oak Ridge and Anderson County travelers trust us when their departure is days away. Here is what some of them have to say.
“I'm a physicist at Oak Ridge National Lab and was invited to present at CERN in Switzerland with 10 days notice. My passport had 3 months until expiration — Switzerland requires 6. Fast Passport Center expedited my renewal in 3 business days. The courier service handled everything while I focused on preparing my presentation.”
Dr. James C.
ORNL Research Scientist
“Department of Energy contractor assigned to an international facility inspection in France. My security clearance paperwork was done but I realized my passport had expired 2 months prior. Fast Passport Center got me a renewal in 4 business days. The dedicated agent understood the urgency of government contracting timelines.”
Sandra K.
DOE Contractor
“ORNL engineer and teacher couple planning a summer trip to Japan. We needed two adult renewals and two child passports. Fast Passport Center handled the entire family order — all four passports arrived in 7 business days. The personal agent was fantastic at coordinating everything.”
The Olson Family
Oak Ridge, TN
“Clinton resident who won a company incentive trip to Australia — 12 days before departure. My passport was expired. Fast Passport Center got my renewal back in 5 business days. I was on that plane to Sydney thanks to their courier service to Nashville.”
Robert L.
Clinton, TN
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 acceptance facility for Oak Ridge and Anderson County residents. Appointment required. Located near Jackson Square area.
County clerk passport acceptance in the Oak Ridge satellite office. Convenient alternative to the downtown post office for Anderson County residents.
Convenient for Clinton, Norris, and northern Anderson County residents. Appointment recommended.
Convenient for southern Anderson County and Farragut residents. Located near the Knox County line.
Small-town option for southern Anderson County and Roane County residents. Call ahead to confirm passport hours.
Main Anderson County Clerk office at the historic Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton. Full passport acceptance services.
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 Nashville Passport Agency is your only do-it-yourself option — Approximately 180 miles from Oak Ridge — about 2 hours 45 minutes via I-40. Getting an appointment there is rarely straightforward. Fast Passport Center gives you a faster, simpler path without the uncertainty.
Nashville Passport Agency — 805 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 — Approximately 180 miles from Oak Ridge — about 2 hours 45 minutes via I-40
Avoid Delays
Oak Ridge travelers, including ORNL scientists traveling internationally and DOE contractors with global assignments, face unique passport challenges given the scientific and security-sensitive nature of their work. Here are the most common mistakes we see.
Oak Ridge residents, only 25 miles from Knoxville, often assume Tennessee's third-largest city has a passport agency. It doesn't. The only Tennessee passport agency is in Nashville at 805 Broadway — 180 miles west. Driving to Knoxville for passport processing yields no special access.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists with DOE security clearances sometimes assume their clearance documentation substitutes for passport requirements. It does not. A valid passport is entirely separate from security clearance. ORNL researchers must maintain both independently for international travel.
ORNL scientists heading to international research conferences often focus exclusively on the passport and forget visa requirements. Countries like China, Russia, and India require scientific conference visas that take 4–8 weeks to process. Start passport preparation 3–4 months before international conferences.
DOE contractors on 6-month international assignments sometimes depart with a passport that expires mid-assignment. Most countries require 6 months validity beyond your stay — and renewing a U.S. passport from overseas is far more complicated. Always check your passport expiration covers your entire assignment plus 6 months.
Oak Ridge experiences passport application surges before major ORNL conference seasons — particularly spring (March–May) and fall (September–October). USPS and county clerk appointments fill quickly during these periods. Start passport applications at least 3 months before major international conferences.
ORNL employees sometimes try to use their lab badge photos or security credential photos for passport applications. Passport photos require a specific white background, neutral expression, and exact 2x2 inch dimensions — badge photos meet none of these requirements. Always have new passport-compliant photos taken.
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 Oak Ridge travelers complete everything online and ship documents overnight. At 180 miles from Nashville, Fast Passport Center provides reliable courier turnaround for Anderson County residents — eliminating the nearly 3-hour drive to the Nashville Passport Agency.
Complete your application on our secure website in under 10 minutes.
We send a prepaid overnight label. Drop at any UPS location in Oak Ridge, Clinton, or Knoxville.
Our team reviews every document, then couriers to the Nashville Passport Agency — 180 miles west via I-40.
Your passport is processed at the Nashville Passport Agency via our pre-secured courier slots.
We overnight your new passport back to your Oak Ridge or Anderson County address — fully trackable.
Most Oak Ridge travelers start online and ship documents overnight — no office visit required for most services.
FAQ
Have questions about expedited passports in Oak Ridge? Here are the most common ones we hear from ORNL scientists and Anderson County travelers.
Oak Ridge is approximately 180 miles from the Nashville Passport Agency at 805 Broadway — about 2 hours 45 minutes west via TN-62 and I-40. The round trip is nearly 6 hours.
Local 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 Oak Ridge
Your passport application requires two identical 2"×2" passport photos taken within the last 6 months. Popular passport photo locations in Oak Ridge include:
Walgreens — Oak Ridge
1000 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Mon–Sun: 7AM–10PM
CVS Pharmacy — Oak Ridge
132 Main St E, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Mon–Sun: 8AM–9PM
UPS Store — Oak Ridge
1230 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Ste 130, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Mon–Fri: 8AM–6PM, Sat: 9AM–2PM
Walgreens — Clinton
2300 N Charles G Seivers Blvd, Clinton, TN 37716
Mon–Sun: 7AM–10PM
FedEx Office — Knoxville
1518 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916
Mon–Fri: 7AM–11PM, Sat: 9AM–9PM
CVS Pharmacy — Knoxville
4435 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Mon–Sun: 8AM–9PM
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.
Driver's License & State ID
DMV Services Near Oak Ridge
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 Oak Ridge.
TN Driver Services — Oak Ridge
475 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Mon–Fri: 8:30AM–5:00PM
Closest Driver Services Center to Oak Ridge. REAL ID, driver's license, and state ID services for Anderson County residents. Conveniently located on the Oak Ridge Turnpike.
TN Driver Services — Knoxville (Strawberry Plains)
7320 Region Ln, Knoxville, TN 37914
Mon–Fri: 8:30AM–5:00PM
Full-service Driver Services Center serving Knox County. About 25 miles from Oak Ridge.
TN Driver Services — Lenoir City
1000 W Broadway St, Lenoir City, TN 37771
Mon–Fri: 8:30AM–5:00PM
Serves Loudon County and southern Anderson County. About 25 miles south of Oak Ridge.
Appointment recommended — walk-in wait times can be long. Book your slot online before visiting.
Airports
Airports Serving Oak Ridge Travelers
Oak Ridge 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.
McGhee Tyson Airport
2055 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701
Closest commercial airport to Oak Ridge with daily flights to major hubs including Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, and Chicago. About 40 minutes via TN-162 and I-140. Primary gateway for ORNL international travelers.
TYS AirportNashville International Airport
1 Terminal Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
Tennessee's busiest airport with extensive domestic routes and growing international service. Co-located with Nashville Passport Agency. About 2 hours 45 minutes via I-40.
BNA AirportChattanooga Metropolitan Airport
1001 Airport Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Regional airport with domestic routes. About 1 hour 45 minutes via TN-58 and I-75. Alternative for Oak Ridge travelers heading south.
CHA AirportOak Ridge Airport (General Aviation)
100 Aviation Ln, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
General aviation airport for private and charter aircraft. No commercial passenger service. ORNL travelers use TYS or BNA for commercial international departures. Convenient for private charters by DOE contractors.
Oak Ridge 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 Tennessee. We also serve travelers in nearby states including Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Click a state below for local acceptance facilities, processing times, and fast passport options.
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Start your secure order online. We handle the rest — document review, reserved agency submission, and predictable processing. No agency lines. No guessing.
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