Always Ask Is There an Expedited Process When Applying for Documents

Many government agencies and institutions offer faster processing for an extra fee or under certain conditions — but they rarely volunteer this information. Every time you apply for a passport, permit, certificate, or any official document, ask: "Is there an expedited or priority processing option?" You might be surprised how often the answer is yes.

Sometimes expedited processing costs a small premium. Sometimes it's available for free if you have a documented urgent reason. Either way, the standard timeline is often just the default, not the only option.