[amaranth]

Hello everyone. I am new to these forums and have had an interest in the Japanese language and culture for a time. Recently I've gotten the opportunity through my high school to go traveling to Japan on an exchange program. I have gathered the DS-11 form, my birth certificate and wrote a check for the appropriate amount of money, but even with all this, I'm nervous about whether or not I'll get my passport in time!

I have not yet sent my passport application. I've researched online about how to get a passport and it seems Japan won't accept passports from Americans and Canadians who haven't had their passport in possession for 3 months. Is this true? I am going on the trip maybe late march to early April.

I was also looking into some expedite services online and they all seem like scams. Does anyone have any reliable sites they have used in the past that they have gotten positive results from? I don't think I will be able to go to Japan this spring if I don't figure out how to get it soon. Thank you for your help.