Cheap and Hassle-Free: What it’s Like to Get Your Passport Fast with ItsEasy.com Express Service

How ItsEasy.com Express Service Works

ItsEasy.com charges a flat fee of just $39.95 for its service, which includes an online application, free passport photos, and 24/7 customer support.

Of course, you’ll have to pay the actual cost of the passport and the US Postal Service and/or FedEx shipping fees, but it’s a real bargain, especially for expedited service.

The first thing you need to do is install the app. It’s called “ItsEasy Passport Renew & Photo” on the Apple store.

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Once you have the app installed, the easiest way is to do it on your mobile phone. You can also use the desktop version at ItsEasy.com if you prefer. I think for passport photos, the easiest way is to get it to work on your phone, but that’s up to you.

Step by step instructions

Open the app and you will first see the welcome screen.

Once that animation finishes, a menu will appear. You can choose to renew your passport and/or passport card, apply for a second passport, or change the name on your passport. If you need other services — like help with a child’s passport or a tourist visa — there are options in the app for that, too.

I selected renew and clicked the “Get Started!” button. That took me to a page to confirm that I was eligible to renew my US passport. You will then see options under the “What type of passport services are you looking for?” box for renewal, supplementary passport card, special second passport, and passport name change.

The next options will let you choose a passport ($130), a passport and passport card ($160), or just a passport card ($30). I want both a new passport book and a passport card, so I choose the second option and press “Continue”.

The next screens let you choose standard processing, expedited processing, or expedited processing. (You can’t get expedited processing through the app. You’ll get a pop-up saying you need to provide proof of emergency travel and call them at 866-487-3279 for advice.) Next, you choose a 26-page passport book or a 52-page passport book at no extra charge.

Finally, choose how you want to send your application to ItsEasy.com. There is no charge for USPS First Class. Priority Mail costs $11.95 with tracking, and FedEx Overnight costs $24.95 with tracking.

Next, choose return shipping via USPS Priority Mail with tracking (included in your application fee) or USPS Express Mail with tracking for an additional fee of $21.36. You’ll also need to decide whether you want to pay a $12.28 convenience fee to have ItsEasy.com mail a check to the federal government on your behalf, or whether you want to mail a check to the government for the full amount of your application.

I didn’t have a check so I paid the convenience fee; you can save $12 if you use a personal check.

You will then enter your contact information, shipping address, and whether you need one or more passports.

Next up is one of the coolest features. You don’t have to go to the pharmacy to get your passport photo taken. You can do it all within the free app. The app will ask for access to your camera and then guide you through taking the perfect passport photo. Once you’re happy with your photo, tap “My Photo is Awesome!” It’s that easy.

Then go to the payment screen where you enter your phone number and credit card information. Then, click “Submit Order”. If you have any problems during or after submitting your order, you can call 866-487-3279. Open year round, 24/7.

Once you have successfully paid for your passport, you will see a confirmation page for your application and then a page that allows you to use your order number to check the status of your application. You will need to create a PIN, so make sure you write it down somewhere.

Finally, you will receive an offer for additional services such as document checks. This is also where you can set your notification preferences. In my case, I chose to receive both text messages and email updates about the status of my application.

On the same day you complete your application, you will receive an email with a PDF file that you can download and print. I took my file to a print shop in Oakland, California, where I printed the documents and prepared them for mailing.

I really like the constant text messages and emails I get with progress reports from the app.

I submitted my application on Memorial Day Saturday, and despite the holiday, I received my passport on June 6. It only took nine business days for a brand new 52-page passport. I was impressed.

A few days later, I received my new passport card in a separate envelope. Finally, I received my old passport in the mail.

Overall, I am a very satisfied customer.

The total price was $303.71. That includes $190 for the larger passport and expedited processing, $30 for the passport card, and $32 for the faster shipping service. ItsEasy.com only charges $39.95 for its fees. That’s a pretty fair price to pay for all that convenience.

History of ItsEasy.com

ItsEasy has been around for more than 40 years. President and CEO David Alwadish told me that the company started as a service to help people register their cars. The company’s motto was, “You name the states, we get the plates.” But when he and his team realized there was a high demand for passport services, they added that—the first of its kind. There are now many competitors in the space, but Alwadish says ItsEasy is the best and cheapest.

The company added the app about nine years ago.

ItsEasy customers receive a pre-printed application form, which Alwadish said the government likes because it has a pre-printed barcode. “When they get it, they scan it, they issue the passport and that’s it,” he said. They can make 20 passports in the time it takes to process a regular passport application, he added.

Alwadish told me that the number one reason passports are rejected is because of a bad passport photo. ItsEasy ensures that passport photos are perfect, and best of all, the service is free. “I make sure they’re perfect,” he said. “I don’t let robots check every photo.” That’s done by humans.

“If your passport doesn’t come, I’m here,” he said. “You call ItsEasy. I won’t rest until your passport is in your hands.” He said the barcoded forms, pre-filled and pre-printed documents, and pre-approved passport photos meant “you don’t have to do anything.”

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