Today I am presenting another written interview with Steven Fox of Fastport Passport.
Check out the interview:
- What got you interested in starting a passport and visa service? Share your story.
I was working in the tag and title space for the auto industry for many years. We provided a turn-key service to the general public and auto dealers. Registering a vehicle at the DMV is a stressful, and confusing process. Our company simplified and expedited the process so clients could avoid the many forms, long lines, and complicated procedures at the DMV. We had many storefront locations as a private registered DMV service. As the years went on, our walk in clients were asking for other document services. We decided to create a one stop shop for all vital documents.
As you know, when you need to apply for a drivers license, the DMV works on a point system asking for very detailed documentation, not limited to a valid U.S. passport, birth certificate , marriage license etc. The process at the DMV became more strict, assigning additional requirements after 9-11-2001. I felt there was a unique opportunity to offer expedited passport services for the masses as well. I started this as a supplemental service, offering to help with the DMV stipulations. Our 1st week in business we secured 10 expedited passports for the local community in need of traveling within the next 14 days. It became a community success. Our next month in business we secured over 100 expedited passports. Our company Fastport Passport has grown into a nationwide brand and a top service to rely on for all your vital documents, passports, and visa needs.
- What exactly does your company do to help people with passports or their visa’s?
We get passports and visas fast. We make the process to get a passport or visa simple, fast, and secure. As a registered courier service for the U.S. Department of State, we have the unique ability to hand carry the passport applications and documents to Regional Passport Agencies. We are also registered with numerous embassies to provide expedited visa processing.
For the last ten years, we’ve helped thousands of U.S. citizens secure their passports and visas when they need them fast. Most of our clients have confirmed travel plans already booked, and they come to us in need of emergency service. We are the team to help get a passport or visa quickly.
- What are 2-3 common challenges you see when people are trying to acquire a passport or visa?
The process can be incredibly confusing. There are a number of caveats to know when applying for a passport. How do you know which passport type to apply for? Or where to get photos, and how much it will all cost? It can be confusing to know where to even apply for a passport or visa. Our goal is to make that process as simple as possible. Even though we specialize in expedited passport services, our team is trained to know all the possible solutions so we can help you know of your passport and visa options.
- How does your service differ from simply getting the proper documentation through the government?
Applying for routine passport service through the government takes 4-6 weeks for processing. For most people, that is fine. But there are many people who need a passport faster than that. There are options to expedite through the post office, but it takes 3 weeks and is not guaranteed. If you need a passport faster, we can help. We can secure passports in two weeks or less, even as fast as 24 hours if necessary. Our service is done all through your local post office or county clerk.
- What are your future plans for 2014 and beyond?
Our current plans rely heavily on our customer service at Fastport Passport, making sure all emergency passports are handled with the quickest logistics possible. We will be updating our new website by the end of the year with new service offerings as well as a more streamlined system to track your expedited passport status. Kind of like Domino’s Pizza status bar, so you know how the process is going when they are making your pizza. In 2015, we aim to grow the business exponentially by offering more visa services to many major countries. We aim to simplify the passport and visa process and offer a free native iphone application to help our users get their documents in order within minutes, and not hours. We have a lot in store for the next year and we look forward to helping more U.S. citizens secure their U.S. passports FAST!
Check out his site at http://www.fastportpassport.com