Everything you need to know about emergency passports

The U.S. Department of State issues a limited number of emergency passports on a case-by-case basis for U.S. citizens who need a passport to travel.

Emergency passports are available for life-or-death situations and to those attempting to replace a lost or stolen passport.

U.S. citizens in need of this type of passport while abroad can apply to have one issued by the presiding local U.S. Embassy or consulate; the emergency passport will be valid for limited travel.

Here's everything you need to know about emergency passports.

What is an emergency passport?

"The emergency passport is a type of limited-validity passport issued in urgent or emergency circumstances by a U.S. embassy or consulate for U.S. citizens who must return to the United States as soon as possible from a foreign country," a State Department spokesperson said. "The emergency passport has a purple cover with the words 'emergency passport' on the front."

Emergency passports are only valid for a maximum of one year.

Emergency passports are issued in the following circumstances:

• To replace a lost or stolen passport
• To aid in the case of life-or-death emergencies such as serious illnesses, injuries or deaths in your immediate family (the U.S. government considers parents or legal guardians, children, spouses, siblings and grandparents to be "immediate family" — aunts, uncles and cousins do not count) that require travel within 72 hours

"An imminent life-or-death emergency means an immediate emergency that severely endangers the health or safety of the applicant or another individual (such as a medical procedure to sustain life that can only be performed in another country) or impairs the ability of the applicant to attend to a dying relative whose death is impending or to attend a funeral of a relative," said the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland. "Applicants seeking a life-or-death exception must provide documentary evidence sufficient to validate the situation."

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Where can emergency passports be used?

Certain countries, including France, do not allow Americans to enter using an emergency passport.

"The Government of France does not recognize the 12-page U.S. emergency passport, issued by U.S. embassies and consulates overseas, as a valid travel document for visa-free entry into France," said the Embassy of the United States of America in France. "If traveling on this emergency passport, you may be refused boarding and/or entry by immigration officials."

Only those transiting through France en route to the U.S. can do so with an emergency passport.

Because the State Department does not maintain a list of countries that accept emergency passports, travelers must check the entry and exit requirements of their desired destination.

"Some countries may not accept an emergency passport and you could be refused entry by immigration officials or denied boarding by airline personnel," notes the Consulate General of the United States for Hong Kong and Macau. "We strongly recommend that you research the entry and exit requirements of your destination before you travel."

Turnaround times will vary by embassy and availability. For example, the U.S. Embassy in Switzerland issues emergency passports during office hours. They are generally available within 24 hours and must be picked up in person.

How are emergency passports obtained?

The process for getting an emergency passport is similar to applying for a lost passport replacement. The State Department asks travelers to contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance.

Travelers must apply for a replacement passport in person. The process includes taking passport photos and paying an expedited passport fee, which costs the same as nonemergency passports ($130 plus $60 for expedited service).

"If you are scheduled to leave the foreign country soon, please provide consular staff with the details of your travel. We will make every effort to assist you quickly," said a U.S. State Department spokesperson. "If there is not enough time to get you a regular passport, the Consular Section may be able to give you a limited-validity emergency passport, which may be valid for up to one year."

Victims of serious crimes or disasters who cannot afford passport fees may be eligible for a free, limited-validity emergency passport.

Bottom line

Not having a passport while experiencing an emergency that requires you to travel internationally can be very distressing — but it is possible to get an emergency passport to get where you need to be as quickly as you can.

If you're abroad, contact the closest U.S. embassy or consulate to your destination and find out if they will issue an emergency passport and if the country you're visiting will accept one.

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