U.S. Passport Information
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With a few exceptions, a passport is required for all U.S. citizens
to depart and enter the United States and to enter most foreign
countries. Persons who travel to a country where a U.S. passport
is not required should be in possession of documentary evidence
of their U.S. citizenship and identity to facilitate reentry into
the United States. Travelers should check passport and visa requirements
with consular officials of the countries to be visited well in
advance of their departure date.
Application for a passport may be made at a passport agency,
many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county and
municipal offices, and some post offices. The thirteen major cities
with U.S. passport agencies are Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston,
Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Norwalk, Conn., Philadelphia,
San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC.
All persons are required to obtain individual passports in their
own names. Neither spouses nor children may be included in each
other's passports. Applicants age 14 years and older must appear
in person before the clerk or agent executing the application
if it is their first time applying. For children age 13 and under,
a parent or legal guardian may execute an application for them.
First-time passport applicants must apply in person. Applicants
must present the following items at a passport facility:
- Completed Form DSP-11, Application for Passport (available
at passport agencies, many travel agencies, or on the Web).
This form may be completed in advance; however, it must be signed
by you in person before a passport agent.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship. You may use one of the following:
previous U.S. passport; certified birth certificate issued by
the city, county, or state; Consular Report of Birth Abroad;
Naturalization Certificate; or Certificate of Citizenship.
- Proof of identity. Acceptable proof includes: previous U.S.
passport; Naturalization Certificate; Certificate of Citizenship;
current, valid driver's license; government ID (city, state,
or federal); military ID (military and dependents); work ID
(must be currently employed by the company); student ID (must
be currently enrolled); Merchant Marines card (also known as
a “Seamen's” or “Z” card); pilot or
flight attendant ID. Note: Social Security cards are
NOT acceptable as identification.
- Two passport photographs. Photographs must be 2 × 2
inches in size. The image size from the bottom of the chin to
the top of the head should be between 1 inch and 13/8 inches.
They may be in color or black and white. They must be full face,
front view with a plain white or off-white background. Photographs
should be taken in normal street attire, without a hat or headgear
that obscures the hair or hairline.
- The applicable fee. A fee of $45 plus a $15 execution fee
is charged for adults 16 years and older for a passport valid
for ten years from the date of issue. The fee for children under
16 years of age is $25 for a five-year passport plus $15 for
the execution of the application. Persons of all ages born outside
the U.S. are required to pay an additional $100 complex case
fee. The fee for passport renewals by mail is $40 (there is
no execution fee added).
- DSP-64 Lost or Stolen Passport Form (if necessary). In addition
to the items listed above, if your passport was lost or stolen,
you will need to complete and submit this form (available at
passport facilities and on the Web).
Passport renewals can be handled through the mail in some instances.
You may apply by mail if: (1) you can submit your most recent
passport and it is not mutilated, altered, or damaged; (2) you
were at least 16 years old when your most recent passport was
issued; (3) you were issued your most recent passport less than
15 years ago; and (4) you use the same name as on your most recent
passport, OR, you have had your name changed by marriage or court
order and can submit proper documentation to reflect your name
changes.
In order to apply for a renewal by mail, you must fill out and
submit Form DSP-82, which can be obtained at a passport facility
or downloaded from the Web site. Attach to it the following: (1)
your most recent passport; (2) two identical passport photographs;
and (3) the $40 fee. If your name changed, enclose a certified
copy of the Court Order, Adoption Decree, Marriage Certificate,
or Divorce Decree specifying another name for you to use. Mail
the above items to: National Passport Center; P.O. Box 371971,
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7971.
Normal processing time for a passport application is 25 working
days. However, it is recommended that you apply for your passport
several months in advance of your planned departure. If you will
need visas from foreign embassies, allow more time. If you need
to leave in a hurry, you may expedite the process for an additional
fee of $35 per passport. When requesting expedited service, two-way
overnight mail for each application is strongly suggested. If
you are applying by mail and wish to have your processing expedited,
clearly mark the envelope EXPEDITED. You should receive your passport
in 7–10 business days if using expedited service and two-way
overnight delivery, depending upon the reliability of your overnight
service.
If your passport is lost or stolen, report the loss on Form
DSP-64 when you apply, in person, for your new passport. If you
are abroad, report the loss immediately to local police authorities
and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Remember to write your
current address in the space provided in your passport, so that,
if it is found, it can be returned to you.
The State Dept. suggests you make two copies of the identification
page—one to leave with a friend or relative at home in case
of an emergency, and one to keep with you in the event that your
passport is lost or stolen while abroad. This will make it easier
to get a new passport, should it be necessary. It is also a good
idea to carry two extra passport-size photos with you.
If you would like more information about obtaining or renewing
a passport, visit the State Dept. website (http://travel.state.gov
) or call the National Passport Information Center, 1-888-362-8668.
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