<p>Apply ASAP and pay the extra money for the rush fee. If it is not there two weeks prior to leaving, call your MOC office and they will light a fire under the Passport Agency for you. You don’t have to use one of the companies that do it for you - save the money. Just get it done and pay the rush fee noted by the dept. of state (I think it’s $60 more). Also, you can pay even more for overnight delivery when it’s done. By the way - because the old passport is lost you are doing a NEW application not a renewal. </p>
<p>[Passport</a> Home](<a href=“U.S. Passports”>U.S. Passports)</p>
<p>Alternative: go to the local passport office (they are not very local! I think there are 12-15 in the country that can do a passport on location. Find your nearest one, call and see if you need an appointment (see above link). If not, go in and do it. If so - make an appointment. Be prepared with your photos, application, and fee plus you will have to have orig birth certificate. If you don’t have a certified copy then get on that ASAP from county of birth.</p>