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Express Service Instructions for New Passport Applicants |
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Follow these steps in order for American Passport Express to expedite your application for a US passport. Please print this page as a checklist for your convenience.
You must appear in person at a court house or post office and present the list of items in Step 1 below to a passport acceptance agent (AA). The AA is needed to witness the signing of your application for passport. After signing in front of the AA, your application is sent to American Passport Express by FedEx.
Applicants age 16 or 17 click here.
To find an AA in your area you may search the following
list of Acceptance
Agents by state. |
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Summary of the 4 step process for New Passport Applicants.
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Collect
and Prepare Passport Application
Documents |
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A.
DS-11 form (Government Passport Application Form) |
The Department of State requires that you fill out the government application online for expedited service.
Passport cards are currently not being issued. Selecting that you would like a passport card on your application maybe cause for your application to be rejected.
Please complete the DS-11 form now.
Do not sign this form until you visit the AA. Fill out all fields on the form to the best of your ability.
State Department regulations state that the application (DS-11) has to be submitted within 5 days of when it is dated. Please visit the Acceptance Agent no earlier than the day that you ship your materials.
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B.
Reserve Processing Space & Letter of Authorization |
Please contact American Passport Express at 1-800-455-5166 and ask the representative to set up an Express Reservation
Once your reservation has been set up, you will be directed to print two copies of one of the letter of authorization (L1-L11) listed below. The letter of Authorization gives us permission to process your passport application
The two copies of the letter of authorization must:
- Have original signatures by the passport applicant
- Both be signed using a blue ink pen if possible
- Not be photocopies or faxes
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C.
Proof of Citizenship |
Provide one of the following:
For more detailed citizenship information click here.
If your name has changed from birth please click here for more information.
*Please make sure the Certified birth certificate shows the following:
- a file date within one year of birth,
- the name of at least one parent
- is a certified copy
- shows your name given at birth and your birth date.
All citizenship documents will be returned with your new passport. |
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Photos must meet the government specifications see photo requirements here or see the information pages of your DS-11 form. We strongly recommend not sending digital photos.
Where can I get my photos? |
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E.
Proof of Identity |
In the form of a drivers license issued more than 6 months ago. Make sure the AA notes on the application the ID you presented. If you have a current drivers license issued less than six months ago then please click here.
Please make a clear photocopy of your Drivers License. This will be sent with your application materials. |
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F.
Proof of Departure |
Send one of the following:
- Two copies of your plane ticket showing departure date or
- Two copies of your itinerary from the travel agent or airline
If you do not have a ticket or itinerary please click here. |
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G.
Service Fees |
1. Government Fees:
(Two Checks or Money Orders)
Make one payable to "US Dept. of State" for $135
- Include your date of birth on this check
- All personal checks must show a printed address
- Do not cross out and rewrite any information on the check. (Use a new check if necessary)
- Please note this fee must be paid by check or money order only (not by credit card)
Make the second check or money order in the amount of $25 payable to the Post Office or Court House which you visit. If you have questions about these fees please click here.
2. American Passport Express Service Fee.
Our service fee of $99 may be paid with personal check or money order made out to "American Passport Express". Use the customer information form (see step 2 below) to pay this fee by credit card.
3. Return Shipping Fee
Please add $25 to the American Passport Express payment, for the overnight return delivery of your passport or include your own airbill with your fedex account number.
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Complete Customer Information Form |
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All applicants must complete and submit the customer information form.  After submitting the form online print a copy of the confirmation page which appears. The form gives our company information which is used to help accurately process your passport order. |
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Visit the Acceptance Agent |
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A.
Acceptance Agent |
Inform the Acceptance Agent (AA) that you are using an expediting service to "hand carry" your application to the government passport agency for processing.
After signing the application in front of the AA, the AA should seal-up the following items in their envelope:
- The completed DS-11 form [step 1A]
- Two identical passport photos [step 1D]
- Proof of citizenship [step 1C]
- The check or money order to "US Dept. of State" [step 1G]
- One copy of the proof of departure [step 1F]
- One copy of the letter of authorization (some AA's may not seal the letter of authorization or the itinerary in the envelope, if that is the case then place them inside the FedEx envelope along side the sealed envelope, no delays or problems will result) [step 1B]
- A copy of your drivers ID may be requested and sealed by the AA [step 1E]
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The AA should use their official stamp or seal along the seal of the envelope. The envelope may be marked "to be opened by authorized passport agent only" and or "hand carry". The "sealed envelope" should now be returned to you in order to send it to American Passport Express. Please write on the sealed envelope: 1. Applicant Name 2. Date of Birth 3. Date of Departure
Do not seal the payment to American Passport Express |
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Shipping of Application |
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A.
Shipping |
Call American Passport Express For the Shipping Address (Ship Using FedEx)
When you have your sealed envelope from the AA call American Passport Express (1.800.455.5166) for the Address to Send your package.
-Please do not seal the shipping envelope until you get the address from an American Passport Express representative.
Please have the following materials prepared and ready for review:
- Sealed envelope from the Acceptance Agent [step 3A]
- American Passport Express service fee (if check or money order) [step 1G]
- The other signed letter of authorization (blue ink and original signatures) [step 1B]
- The other copy of the proof of departure [step 1F]
- The customer "confirmation page" [step 2A]
- A clear photocopy of your drivers license(if it was not sealed in the AA envelope) [step 1E]
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On Your FedEx airbill Mark the box that says "Priority Overnight" (Next Business Morning)
 Send Using FedEx ONLY
You will receive email confirmation with your order number and status the day we receive your application.
**********End First Time Applicant Instructions*********** |
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Note: If the AA you are working with is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the process of using a passport expediting service they can refer to the section of their AA Guidance Manual which outlines, "The Hand Carrying of Executed Applications" and may call their regional passport agency and/or contact American Passport Express at 1-800-455-5166.
*You can pick up FEDERAL EXPRESS airbills and envelopes at FedEx boxes and FedEx offices. Call 1-800-GO-FedEx to find the most convenient location or use their online drop-off locator (drop-off locations will have blank airbills and envelopes. You may use a credit card to pay for the sending of your application.) |
