The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs has prepared this
publication to assist you in applying for your U.S. passport. This guide
provides information on how, when, and where to apply for your passport.
- When should I apply for a passport?
- When do I have to apply in person?
- What do I need to do to apply for a passport in
person?
- Where can I get passport forms?
- May I apply for a passport by mail?
- Other than at passport agencies, where can I apply for a
passport?
- What if I need a passport in a hurry?
- What if I need a passport in less than 7-10 business
days/2 weeks?
- What happens to my passport application after I submit
it?
- What should I do if my passport is lost or
stolen?
- Do I need to obtain a separate passport for my
baby?
- Who should sign my child’s passport?
- What do I do if my name changes or if I need extra visa
pages in passport?
- What else should I know about passports?
When Should I Apply for
a Passport?
Apply several
months before your planned trip. If you will need visas from foreign
embassies, allow more time. If you don’t have any specific travel plans –
but have family/friends living abroad, or are waiting to find a bargain trip –
don’t wait to get your passport! Get it now, so you’re ready in case you
may need or want to travel on short notice! Passport demand goes up during
the summer months. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you apply
early to avoid the rush.
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When Do I Have to Apply
in Person?
All applicants
must appear in person, with the exception of those who meet the requirements for
renewing a
previous passport by mail. For children under age 14, both
parents’ consent and proof of parental relationship are required. See
Special Requirements
for children under age 14
for details.
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What Do I Need to Do
to Apply for a Passport in Person?
See How to Apply in Person for a
Passport.
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Where Can I Get
Passport Forms?
Passport acceptance
facilities stock passport forms. Passport
forms can also be downloaded from the Internet or obtained by
calling the National
Passport Information Center.
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May I Apply for a
Passport by Mail?
See How to Apply for a Passport Renewal.
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Other Than at Passport
Agencies, Where Can I Apply for a Passport?
You can apply for your
passport at over 6,000 designated
passport application acceptance facilities nationwide, including
many post offices, clerks of court, other state/county/township/municipal
offices, and a growing number of public libraries and public colleges and
universities. These facilities are usually more convenient because they
are near where you live or work. (Most of the 13 Regional Passport
Agencies focus on serving those departing, or needing their passports for
foreign visas, within 14 days and require appointments.)
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What If I Need a
Passport in a Hurry?
See How to Get a Passport
Quickly.
·
NOTE:
We have found that for
states not densely populated and/or far from our Pittsburgh, PA cashiering
facility, overnight delivery is not always reliable. For those customers,
particularly those leaving in less than 7 business-days, application at a Regional
Passport Agency is recommended. Whichever way you apply,
include your travel date and plans on your application.
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What If
I Need a Passport in Less than 7-10 Business Days/2 Weeks?
See How to Schedule an Appointment at Regional Passport
Agency.
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What Happens to My
Passport Application After I Submit It?
If you apply at one of
the 6,000+ passport acceptance facilities, the same day you apply, your
application will be sent to Passport Services’ banking facility, where your
payment is deposited into the U.S. Treasury, and information from your
application is data-entered. Then, your application, in both electronic
and paper form, will be directed to a Regional Passport Agency or Passport
Processing Center for adjudication and passport issuance if all documentation is
in order. When you receive your passport, remember to sign it in ink and
in pencil, print your name and address, so if you should lose it, it may be
returned to you.
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What Should I Do if My
Valid Passport Is Lost or Stolen?
If your still valid passport is lost or stolen,
you can report the loss when you apply for a new passport. In addition to Form
DS-11, you will need to complete a Form DS-64, "Statement Regarding a Lost or
Stolen Passport." You may also call 202-955-0430, which has voice mail for
non-business hours, Eastern Time.
If you are abroad, immediately report the loss to
local police authorities and the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate.
For more information, see How to Replace a Lost or Stolen
Passport.
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Do I Need to Obtain
a Separate Passport for My Baby?
Yes. All persons, including newborn infants, are
required to obtain passports in their own names. For children under age
14, the consent of both parents/guardians is required.
For more information on special requirements for
children under age 14, click
here.
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Who Should Sign My
Child’s Passport?
Children,
who are able to sign their names, may do so. Otherwise, a parent may sign
for the child by writing the child’s name on the signature line and signing the
parent’s name above the child’s name. Example:
Jane
Doe for
Child
M. Doe
Signature of Bearer
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What Do I Do if My
Name Changes or I Need Extra Visa Pages in My Passport?
To Amend or Change Your Name, click
here.
To Add Extra Visa Pages to Your Passport, click
here.
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What Else Should I
Know About Passports?
·
Some countries
require that your passport be valid at least 6 months beyond the dates of your
trip. Check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the countries you
plan to visit to find out their entry and visa requirements.
·
If you travel abroad
frequently, you may request a 48-page passport at the time you apply for a new
passport. In addition
to foreign entry requirements, U.S. law must be considered. With certain
exceptions, it is against U.S. law to enter or leave the country without a valid
passport. Generally, for tourists, the exceptions refer to direct travel
within U.S. Territories or between North, South, or Central America (except
Cuba). However, airlines and cruise-lines sometimes require their
passengers to have passports when flying or cruising to and from locations in
these areas.
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