| Q: What is a passport?
A: A United States passport is an internationally recognized travel document attesting to the identity and nationality of the bearer. In essence, it is a request on the part of the issuing government that officials of foreign governments permit the bearer to travel or sojourn in their territories and to afford them all lawful aid and protection.
Q: Who can issue passports?
A: Only Passport Services, Passport Agents of the Department of State, and Foreign Service posts designated by the U.S. Secretary of State have authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.
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Q: How do I get a passport for the first time if I do not need to expedite?
A: You need to go to an acceptance agent with two passport photographs of yourself, a certified copy of your birth certificate and a valid form of photo identification, such as a drivers license. You will find the passport application there. The normal processing fee is $60 for adults 16 or older and $40 for applicants younger than 16. Payment may be made in cash, by major credit or debit card or by personal check for the full amount. Partial payments and credit card charges are not accepted.
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Q: What is an acceptance agent?
A: Acceptance agents are authorized by the government to witness the signing of your DS-11 application and to send in your application to the appropriate regional agency for processing..
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Q: Can I Renew My Passport?
If you answer yes to all of these questions you can renew your passport
I can submit my most recent passport.
I was at least 16 years old when my most recent passport was issued.
I was issued my most recent passport less than 15 years ago.
I use the same name as on my most recent passport, OR, I have had my name changed by marriage or court order and can submit proper documentation to reflect my name changes.
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Q: How long does it take to get a passport?
A: That depends on the time of year submitted, because of the seasonal nature of travel. During peak travel periods, the normal processing time ranges from four to six weeks. If you need a passport more quickly you may use our service. The government also offers expedited service, click here for their website.
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Q: What if I don't have a copy of my birth certificate?
A: If would like the assistance of Vitalcheck which helps individuals obtain vital documents click here.
Click here for a list of resources for obtaining a birth certificate.
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Q: There is no official record of my birth. What can I do?
A: If you were born in the U.S. and there is no birth record on file, you will need several different documents to substantiate your citizenship. You will need:
A letter from the Vital Statistics office of the state of your birth with your name and what years were searched for your birth record. An official of the Vital Statistics office needs to issue a letter of no record found.
In addition, you will need early public records to prove your birth in the U.S.
If you were born outside the U.S. and your U.S. parent(s) did not register your birth at the U.S. embassy or consulate, to apply for a U.S. passport.
You will need:
- Your foreign birth certificate that includes your parents' names; and
- Evidence of your parent(s) U.S. citizenship; and
- Your parents' marriage certificate.
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Q: What if I am a naturalized citizen?
A: The original naturalization certificate must accompany the application for a passport. It will be returned by the passport agency.
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Q: Do I have to personally visit a post office or court house to apply for a passport?
A: Yes. Unless you are filing for a renewal. (See question above on renewals.)
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Q: Do I have to bring my child in with me for his/her passport?
A: Yes all children under the age of 16 must accompany there parents or legal guardian.
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Q: I need to get my passport as quickly as possible. May I go directly to one of the regional passport agencies.
A: Yes you can make an appointment by calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. If no appointments are available or you do not want to spend the time waiting in a regional agency you should consider using an expedited service.
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Q: When is a passport required?
A: See Foreign Entry Requirements.
A passport is not required for travel by U.S. Citizens to any territory or waters, continental or insular, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States (including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
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Q: What is the difference between a passport and a visa?
A: A visa is permission granted by the government of a country to an alien to enter that country and to remain for a specific period of time. It is the responsibility of the traveler to obtain necessary visas, if any, before proceeding abroad. Visas are obtained from the embassy or consulate of the countries to which the applicant wishes to travel.
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Q: Do I need a passport for travel to Mexico, Canada or the Bahamas?
A: The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.
In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:
- January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
- January 1, 2008 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
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Q: I am not a U.S. citizen, but I need a passport. What must I do?
A: You must contact the nearest consulate for your country.
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Q: I am traveling internationally, but my passport is not here; or I didn't know it had expired; or I cant get one. Is there some kind of waiver?
A: No.
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Q: I don't have a birth certificate, but I have my military papers. Will that suffice?
A: No.
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Q: My passport has been lost, stolen or mutilated. What must I do?
A: You must complete a new application, the DS-11, with new pictures, birth certificate and affidavit of lost or stolen passport, the affidavit is form DS-64 available through acceptance agents.
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Q: I am a convicted felon. Can I get a passport?
A: That is entirely up to the discretion of the Passport Agency.
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Q: Can my child be included on my passport?
A: No, they need to get their own.
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