San Mateo California skyline at golden hour with Bay views and Peninsula landscape

Emergency & Expedited Passport Services in San Mateo, CA

Passport expired before your trip? Need an emergency passport fast? We help San Mateo and Peninsula travelers get their expedited passports as quickly as 24 hours. A+ BBB rated. No office visit required.

Start My Passport
4.9 / 5
A+ BBB Rating
20+ Years
Registered State Dept. Courier

Processing Times

Passport Processing Options in San Mateo

San Mateo travelers have several options. Here's how they compare — and why most choose a U.S. Department of State registered passport courier agency to handle their passport.

Emergency Only
24

Hours*

Regional Agency Processing

Strictly for documented life-or-death emergencies. You must obtain an appointment in advance — no walk-ins permitted.

  • Appointment required — no walk-ins allowed
  • Life-or-death emergencies only
  • Bereavement or medical crisis
  • Expect to wait all day or return next day
Recommended
Most Popular
3–9

Business Days

Fast Passport Center

  • Registered U.S. Department of State Courier
  • Reserved agency submission
  • Predictable turnaround
  • Ideal for upcoming trips
  • Document review included
  • Dedicated agent assigned to your case
  • Daily status updates — never left guessing
  • Not affected by government shutdowns
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Standard Expedited
3–5

Weeks

Fast Passport Center

  • Registered U.S. Department of State Courier
  • Reserved agency submission
  • Faster than self-service
  • Good for planned travel
  • Document review included
  • Dedicated agent assigned to your case
  • Daily status updates — never left guessing
  • Not affected by government shutdowns
Start Now
Slowest
1–3

Months

Self-Service (Post Office)

  • No courier access — standard mail only
  • Workload & wait times shift with shutdowns and budget fights
  • In-person clerk appointment required
  • No document review — errors cause rejection
  • No dedicated agent — you are on your own
  • Updates only by physical mail letter
  • No phone or email contact for your case
  • Can't upgrade speed after submission
  • Not suitable if travel is within 10 weeks
More Info

*Processing speed depends on eligibility and documentation. Not all applicants qualify for Regional Agency Processing.

Our Services

Passport Services We Expedite for San Mateo Travelers

Whether you need a renewal, a first-time passport, or an emergency replacement — Fast Passport Center handles it with reserved courier submission availability.

Most Popular

Emergency Passport

For travelers with immediate departure needs — as fast as 24 hours for urgent Peninsula international flights.

  • 24–48 hour turnaround available
  • Registered courier hand-delivery
  • Flight verification support
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Passport Renewal

Fast renewal for adults with a passport issued within the last 15 years at age 16 or older.

  • No clerk visit required for most
  • Mail-in or courier options
  • Lost passport replacement available
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New Passport

First-time passport application guidance with acceptance clerk appointment support.

  • Acceptance facility locator
  • Form DS-11 assistance
  • Photo requirement guidance
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Urgent

Lost or Stolen Passport

Passport replacement with DS-64 form guidance and police report documentation.

  • DS-64 form assistance
  • Identity verification support
  • Emergency replacement options
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Child Passport

Passport services for minors under 16 with parental consent and acceptance clerk support.

  • DS-11 form for minors
  • Parental consent guidance
  • Both parents presence rules
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Name Change

Passport correction and name change service after marriage, divorce, or legal changes.

  • DS-5504 or DS-82 guidance
  • Marriage certificate support
  • Court order documentation
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Service Area

Serving San Mateo & California

From the downtown corridor to Hillsdale, from the Bayfront to the hills — Fast Passport Center serves the entire San Mateo community. We regularly help travelers from Burlingame, Foster City, Belmont, and San Carlos get their passports fast.

Fast Passport Center — Serving San Mateo Area

Serving all of San Mateo County

Serving all of San Mateo County

Courier pickup available throughout the San Mateo area

Fast Passport Center serves San Mateo remotely via secure courier. We do not have a walk-in office in San Mateo — 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 Peninsula travelers.

Start My Passport

24–48 Hour Processing

Emergency courier submission for urgent Peninsula departures

Registered Courier

U.S. Department of State approved passport expediting

Dedicated Agent

A real person assigned to your case from start to finish

Document Shipping

Prepaid overnight labels to our processing center

Cities & Communities We Serve

San Mateo
94010, 94011, 94401–94404
Burlingame
94010, 94011
Foster City
94404
Belmont
94002
San Carlos
94070
Redwood City
94061–94065
Menlo Park
94025, 94026
Palo Alto
94301–94306
Millbrae
94030
South San Francisco
94080, 94083
Daly City
94014, 94015
Pacifica
94044, 94065

We serve all San Mateo neighborhoods and nearby Peninsula cities including Burlingame, Foster City, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, and Menlo Park. If you are in San Mateo County or the Mid-Peninsula, we have you covered.

Reviews

What San Mateo Area Travelers Say

San Mateo and Peninsula travelers trust us when their departure is days away. Here is what some of them have to say.

“My business trip to London was in 2 days and my passport was expired. Fast Passport Center got me a new one in 30 hours. Saved the trip completely.”

Robert T.

San Mateo, CA

Emergency Passport

“Needed to renew for a family vacation to Italy. The process was smooth, they reviewed my documents, and I had my passport in 4 days. Highly recommend.”

Anna S.

Burlingame, CA

Passport Renewal

“Lost my passport a week before my honeymoon to Hawaii. They walked me through the DS-64 process and got me a replacement in 48 hours. Incredible service.”

Michael H.

Foster City, CA

Lost Passport

“As a frequent international traveler for work, I can't afford passport delays. Fast Passport Center has been my go-to for years. Professional and reliable.”

Jennifer W.

Belmont, CA

Expedited Renewal

Passport Acceptance Clerks

Passport Acceptance Facilities Near San Mateo

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.

San Mateo Main Post Office

USPS Passport Acceptance Facility
1630 S Delaware St, San Mateo, CA 94402
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
0.5 miles from downtown San Mateo
Appointment Required

Acceptance hours are limited. Appointments required. Call ahead to confirm passport acceptance times.

Burlingame Post Office

USPS Passport Acceptance Facility
1300 Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA 94010
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
2.5 miles from downtown Burlingame
Appointment Required

Busy location — book appointments 2+ weeks in advance. Limited weekend hours.

Redwood City Post Office

USPS Passport Acceptance Facility
1300 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94063
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
1.0 miles from downtown Redwood City
Appointment Required

Popular location for Peninsula residents. Appointment strongly recommended.

Menlo Park Post Office

USPS Passport Acceptance Facility
2000 E Bayshore Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
0.8 miles from downtown Menlo Park
Appointment Required

Convenient for southern Peninsula residents. Photo services available. Book ahead.

Palo Alto Post Office

USPS Passport Acceptance Facility
390 Waverley St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
0.5 miles from Stanford University
Appointment Required

Convenient for Stanford and Palo Alto residents. Limited passport hours — call to confirm.

San Mateo County Clerk

County Clerk Passport Acceptance
555 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
10 miles from San Mateo
Appointment Required

Major county facility with extended hours. Accepts walk-ins but appointments recommended for faster service.

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.

Start My Passport

Emergency Passports

Regional Passport Agency vs. Fast Passport Center

If you need your passport within two weeks, the San Francisco Passport Agency is your only do-it-yourself option — Located in San Francisco — approximately 25–35 minutes from San Mateo via US-101. Getting an appointment there is rarely straightforward. Fast Passport Center gives you a faster, simpler path without the uncertainty.

Feature
Regional Passport Agency
Fast Passport Center
Appointment Needed
Yes — call NPIC, limited slots
No — we handle everything for you
Processing Speed
Same-day if approved (rare)
24–48 hours guaranteed for emergency
Document Review
No — rejected if wrong
Yes — we check before submission
Travel to Agency
Yes — San Francisco
No — ship from home or office
Agent Support
No — government clerk only
Yes — dedicated agent assigned
Status Updates
No — no tracking provided
Yes — daily email updates
Guaranteed Timing
No — subject to availability
Yes — contractual turnaround times
Start My Expedited Passport

San Francisco Passport Agency — 450 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102 — Located in San Francisco — approximately 25–35 minutes from San Mateo via US-101

Avoid Delays

Common Emergency & Expedited Passport Application Mistakes in San Mateo

With SFO just minutes away, San Mateo travelers can't afford passport delays. Here are the most common mistakes we see.

Wrong Photo Size or Background

Peninsula photo shops often use generic sizes. Passport photos must be exactly 2×2 inches with a white or off-white background.

Incomplete DS-11 Form

Missing signatures or using the wrong form type are the #1 reasons for rejection at Peninsula acceptance facilities.

Wrong Payment Amount

Fees change frequently. Many San Mateo applicants show up with incorrect checks and have to reschedule their appointment.

No Proof of Travel

Without flight confirmation or travel itinerary, the San Francisco regional agency will turn you away for emergency appointments.

Missing Parental Consent

For minors, both parents must appear or submit notarized consent. This trips up many Peninsula families at the clerk.

Waiting Too Long to Start

San Mateo 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.

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Simple Process

How Our Expedited Process Works

Most San Mateo travelers complete everything online and ship documents overnight. No need to drive to San Francisco or wait in line at the regional agency.

1

Apply Online

Complete your application on our secure website in under 10 minutes.

2

Ship Documents

We send you a prepaid overnight label. Drop your documents at any UPS location in San Mateo.

3

We Review

Our team checks every document for accuracy before hand-delivering to the State Department.

4

Processing

Your passport is processed at a U.S. Department of State facility using our registered courier slots.

5

Delivery

We overnight your new passport back to your San Mateo address — trackable every step of the way.

Start My Expedited Passport

Most San Mateo travelers start online and ship documents overnight — no office visit required for most services.

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about expedited passports in San Mateo? Here are the most common ones we hear from Peninsula travelers.

Yes. Fast Passport Center provides emergency passport services in San Mateo 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 for most Peninsula travelers.

Still have questions? Our team is here to help.

Call 877-253-0084

Local Resources

Helpful Resources for San Mateo Travelers

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 San Mateo

Your passport application requires two identical 2"×2" passport photos taken within the last 6 months. Popular passport photo locations in San Mateo include:

CVS Pharmacy — San Mateo

55 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401

Mon–Sun: 8AM–10PM

Walgreens — Burlingame

1450 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame, CA 94010

Mon–Sun: 7AM–11PM

FedEx Office — Redwood City

2000 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063

Mon–Fri: 7AM–9PM, Sat: 8AM–6PM

UPS Store — Foster City

1125 E Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404

Mon–Fri: 8AM–7PM, Sat: 9AM–5PM

Walmart — San Carlos

1919 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070

Mon–Sun: 6AM–11PM

Rite Aid — Menlo Park

1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Mon–Sun: 8AM–10PM

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 San Mateo

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 San Mateo.

DMV — San Mateo

425 N Amphlett Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401

Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM

REAL ID and driver's license renewals. Appointment required.

DMV — Redwood City

300 Brewster Ave, Redwood City, CA 94063

Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM

Passport-ready photo services available. Online appointment booking.

DMV — San Francisco

1377 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM

REAL ID processing. Walk-ins limited — book online first.

DMV — Daly City

1500 Sullivan Ave, Daly City, CA 94015

Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM

Express services for San Mateo County residents. Appointment required.

Appointment recommended — walk-in wait times can be long. Book your slot online before visiting.

Airports

Airports Serving San Mateo Travelers

San Mateo 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.

SFOPrimary

San Francisco International Airport

12 miles from San Mateo

San Francisco, CA 94128

The closest major international airport to San Mateo. International flights to Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

SFO Flight Info
SJC

San Jose International Airport

25 miles from San Mateo

1701 Airport Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110

International flights to Mexico, Canada, and Europe. Accessible via US-101.

San Jose Airport
OAK

Oakland International Airport

20 miles from San Mateo

1 Airport Dr, Oakland, CA 94621

Convenient for domestic flights and some international connections. Accessible via I-880.

Oakland Airport

Passport 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

Emergency & Expedited Passport Services Near You

Fast Passport Center provides emergency passport and expedited passport processing in California. We also serve travelers in nearby states including Arizona and Oregon. Click a state below for local acceptance facilities, processing times, and fast passport options.

Ready to Get Started?

If you need your travel documents within hours or a few weeks, don't wait another minute.

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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Registered State Dept. Courier
A+ BBB Rating
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