Insurance executive with a last-minute London conference? Tech corridor developer heading to a product launch in Tokyo with no passport? Finance professional with an urgent client meeting in Zurich and expired documents? We help Urbandale and Des Moines metro 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 335 miles east of Urbandale via I-80/I-88. 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 Urbandale Area
Serving all of Polk County and the Des Moines metro region including Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, Waukee, and Grimes
Serving all of Polk County and the Des Moines metro region including Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, Waukee, and Grimes
Courier pickup available throughout the Urbandale 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 Urbandale remotely via secure courier. We do not have a walk-in office in Urbandale — 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 Polk County and the entire Des Moines metro.
Start My Passport24–48 Hour Processing
Emergency courier submission for urgent Des Moines metro departures
Registered Courier
U.S. Department of State approved passport expediting
Dedicated Agent
A real person assigned to your case from start to finish
Des Moines Metro Coverage
Serving Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, Waukee, and Polk County
We serve all Urbandale neighborhoods and the surrounding Des Moines metro area including Johnston, Clive, Waukee, West Des Moines, Grimes, and Windsor Heights. If you are anywhere in western Polk County or the Des Moines metro, we have you covered.
Why Travelers Choose Fast Passport Center
Reviews
Urbandale and western Polk County travelers trust us when their departure is days away. Here is what some of them have to say.
“Insurance conference in Bermuda with 3 days notice. My passport had expired and I didn't realize. Fast Passport Center got it renewed in 2 days. I made my flight out of Des Moines. My entire department uses them now.”
Mark D.
Urbandale, IA
“Tech product launch in Singapore — 5 days notice. Fast Passport Center handled everything including my visa documentation timeline. Passport in 36 hours. From Urbandale to Singapore in under a week. Unreal.”
Priya S.
Urbandale, IA
“Family trip to Italy over spring break. Our teenager needed a new passport and we had 10 days. Fast Passport Center came through in 4 days. We toured Rome and Florence without a single issue. Worth every penny.”
The Harrisons
Clive, 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 Urbandale facility. Appointments strongly recommended. Call ahead to confirm passport acceptance hours.
Accepts passport applications for Polk County. Extended hours. Appointment recommended.
Serves Johnston and northern Polk County. Full passport services.
Serves Clive and western Polk County. Full passport services.
Serves West Des Moines. Full passport services in the Jordan Creek area.
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 335 miles east of Urbandale via I-80/I-88. 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 335 miles east of Urbandale via I-80/I-88
Avoid Delays
Des Moines metro travelers often face a 5.5-hour drive to the nearest regional passport agency in Chicago. Here are the most common mistakes that cause delays.
Urbandale 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 Polk County acceptance facilities.
Fees change frequently. Many Urbandale 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 Polk County families at the county recorder.
Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale.
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 Urbandale address — trackable every step of the way.
Most Urbandale travelers start online and ship documents overnight — no office visit required for most services.
Questions?
Have questions about expedited passports in Urbandale? Here are the most common ones we hear from Des Moines metro travelers.
Yes. Fast Passport Center provides emergency passport services in Urbandale 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 5.5-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 Urbandale
Your passport application requires two identical 2"×2" passport photos taken within the last 6 months. Popular passport photo locations in Urbandale include:
Walmart Supercenter — Ankeny
1002 SE National Dr, Ankeny, IA 50021
Mon–Sun: 6AM–11PM
Walgreens — Urbandale
8601 Douglas Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322
Mon–Sun: 7AM–11PM
CVS Pharmacy — West Des Moines
3400 SE 14th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Mon–Sun: 8AM–10PM
FedEx Office — West Des Moines
6305 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Mon–Fri: 7AM–9PM, Sat: 8AM–6PM
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 — Urbandale
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 Urbandale residents. Most records can be ordered online for delivery within 5–10 business days.
Iowa HHS Vital Records (Birth, Death)
Official Iowa vital records office in Des Moines
Get RecordsPolk County Recorder — Marriage Licenses
Polk County Recorder — marriage records
Get RecordsIowa Courts — Divorce Records
Iowa Judicial Branch — divorce decree records
Get RecordsVitalChek — Order Online
Official partner for online vital record orders
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 Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Iowa DOT — Ankeny Driver's License
6310 SE Convenience Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50021
Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM
Driver license and REAL ID services for Polk County. Closest to Urbandale. Appointment recommended.
Iowa DOT — Des Moines Driver's License
1103 SW 63rd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM
Serves Polk County. REAL ID available. Appointment recommended.
Iowa DOT — Ames Driver's License
2321 E 13th St, Ames, IA 50010
Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM
Serves Story County. REAL ID available.
Appointment recommended — walk-in wait times can be long. Book your slot online before visiting.
Airports
Airports Serving Urbandale Travelers
Urbandale 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.
Des Moines International Airport
5800 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
Iowa's largest airport with direct flights nationwide. About 20 minutes from Urbandale via I-235.
DSM AirportEastern Iowa Airport
2121 Arthur Collins Pkwy SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Regional airport with direct flights to major hubs. About 2 hours from Urbandale.
CID AirportEppley Airfield — Omaha
4501 Abbott Dr, Omaha, NE 68110
Major regional airport with direct flights nationwide. About 2 hours from Urbandale via I-80.
OMA 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