Passport FAQ

Yes. Your child, even a newborn, must appear in person at our offices at the time you make the application. Military children will appear before the designated passport agent on base. Only people who can present a full validity passport issued after their 18th birthday can apply by mail.

There are no exceptions or waivers possible for this requirement for newborns and other first time applicants, and waivers only in cases of serious illness for some younger children.

I'm confused about personal appearances...

Q: I'm 13 and want to renew my passport. How do I do it?
A: You'll need to apply in person, accompanied by a parent. The two parent agreement rules apply.

Q: I'm 14 years old. What do I do?
A: You will also need to apply in person but do not need to be accompanied by a parent.

Q: I'm 25 now, but my last passport was issued when I was 15.
A: You must also apply in person. You can only apply by mail if you can present a full validity passport issued on/after your 16th birthday.

Q: I'm 44 years old. Can I apply by mail?
A: Most likely yes. You can apply by mail if you can present a full validity passport issued on/after your 18th birthday. An exception would be if you were a first-time applicant, or if you were replacing a lost or stolen passport, in which case you must apply in person.

My spouse is going to the Embassy to renew our sons' passport. Do we need to provide a "two parent consent form"?

All applicants under the age of 14 must meet the requirements listed in the Law on Passport Applications for Minors.

For those parents who are required to apply in person on behalf of their child, such as a new born baby's first passport, one parent signs in person and submits the second parent's photo ID and signed consent (download the affidavit form at travel.state.gov/DS-3053.pdf). The form does not need to be notarized.

You can learn more about the rules for two-parent consent.

Do my newborns' passport photos have to show her eyes open? How do I take the pictures? How long do I have to apply?

The childs' eyes need to be open. One way is to do this is to place the child on a white blanket on the floor and take the photo while standing over him/her. You can also go to a professional photographer if you prefer. While you have until the child turns 18 to apply for the first passport, we suggest you apply as soon as possible. Processing takes about three weeks, and your child will not be able to travel in an emergency without the passport.

You can learn more about your babys' first passport and Report of Birth.

On the back of the passport application form in tiny, tiny print it says "Enclose the passport fee in the form of personal check or money order". Can I use my personal check?

Sorry, that refers to applications made in the U.S. Here in Japan, all walk-in application fees are payable in US$ or Yen cash. All mail-in applications must be paid in dollars by International Postal Money Order (kokusai yubin kawase) in US dollars made out to "US Embassy Tokyo, APO AP 96337-5004 USA."This money order is available from the Japanese Post Office. We cannot accept cash through the mail.

We cannot accept credit cards for mail in services.

We can accept cards for in-person services at the Embassy in Tokyo and at our Consulate in Osaka, where you may pay using your VISA, Mastercard, Discover, Diners Club or American Express card.

USFJ application fees are payable only by US$ postal money order in the US$ exact amount made out to "US Embassy Tokyo, APO AP 96337-5004 USA." USFJ members seeking a "No Fee" passport must submit form DD 1056 in lieu of the fee.

We cannot accept personal checks in any instance or case.

Can I use black and white photos for my passport?

No. The photos must be in color. The photos must be 2" x 2" (5 cm x 5 cm) with a white or very light colored background. Blue backgrounds are not acceptable. Be careful with the size -- "passport photos" you get at a local Japanese photographer's shop are usually too small and are intended for a Japanese passport. You can learn more about applying for a passport, including details on the photos, at ../../e/acs/tacs-7130c.html.

Can I apply by mail even if my current passport already expired?

Yes, if the expired passport was issued within the last 15 years. You must still submit the passport, even if it has already expired, and meet all of the other standard passport renewal criteria.

When I download a passport application, can I use A4-size paper? I can't get 8.5 x 11 paper in Japan.

You can use A4 paper. The forms you print must be clear and sharp, printed in black on white paper, with no holes or perforations, at least medium (such as used in most photocopiers) paper weight, and with a matte surface. Thermal paper, dye-sublimation paper, special inkjet paper, and other shiny papers are not acceptable. You can download the passport applications forms you'll need at travel.state.gov.

Should I staple one of the two photos needed for a passport to the application form?

No, don't staple them. Just write the applicant's name on the back of the photos with a felt tip pen (ball point can press through and mar the picture) and include them with the application.

On the passport application form it asks for an address to mail the passport to. What should I write?

Write your mailing address in Japan, where you would normally receive mail. If you are in the military, this is usually your APO address.

On the passport application form it asks for a "permanent address." I live in Japan now, but may move back to the U.S. someday. What should I write?

It is up to you. If you reside in Japan, you can write your Japanese street address. Even if they live in Japan, some people prefer to write a U.S. address, such as their parents・home or company headquarters.

I live in Japan for the time being. What should I write on the passport application under "Departure Date?"

Departure Date is optional, so you can leave it blank if you wish.

I applied for passport in the U.S. but came to Japan before receiving the passport. Where can I call to ask about its status?

The Embassy does not have information on passport applications in-process in the U.S. Please call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778, a toll-free call. You can also email them at npic@state.gov.

For more information, including our phone and FAX number, please contact the office serving your part of Japan.

The U.S. Embassy and our Consulates are closed on both U.S. and Japanese holidays.

This is an official source of U.S. Government information on the Web. Inclusion of Non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.


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