Passport FAQ'S

Question: Who needs a passport?

Answer: Any U.S. citizen who plans to exit and/or return to the United States by air. A passport is also required for any Cruise with ports outside of the US and crossing US borders by land. Minors age 16 or younger can present evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate when returning from Canada or Mexico by land. A passport is not required for reentry when traveling on a closed-loop cruise (cruise does not port outside of the US).

Question: Does a baby need a passport?

Answer: Yes. An infant, even a newborn, must possess a passport if the child will be taken outside the U.S.

Question: How long does it take to get a passport?

Answer: Regular processing takes 4-6 weeks. Expediting a passport at an acceptance facility (new) or by mail (renewal) takes 2-3 weeks. Emergency passports can be processed at regional centers. Processing at these locations can take up to 8 business days. Same day passport service is available under certain circumstances.

Question: What is the validity of a passport?

Answer: Passports issued to minors age 15 or younger are valid for 5 years. Passports issued to adults are valid for 10 years. Limited-validity, emergency passports are usually valid for 1 year.

Question: When should I apply for a passport renewal?

Answer: It is recommended that you begin the application process to renew your passport approximately 9 months before it expires although the application can be submitted at any time. Passports issued to applicants age 16 or older can be renewed by mail up to 5 years after the expiration date.

Passport requirements

There are general passport requirements and then there are those that are specific to each particular type of service. The general requirements are listed below with a brief description for each. Choose the type of service you need from the menu in the left column for more specific instructions.

You must be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen national.

Passports are only issued to applicants who possess U.S. citizenship or are non-citizen nationals. Frequently, we receive emails from green card holders wanting to know how they can apply for a U.S. passport. This is not possible unless they go through the process of becoming naturalized citizens of the United States first. U.S. citizenship must be proved in order to get a United States passport unless the person is a non-citizen national.

What is a non-citizen national? Not a surprising question given the fact that non-citizen nationals are rare. Section 308 Immigration and Nationality Act confers U.S. nationality but not U.S. citizenship on persons born in or having ties with "an outlying possession of the United States." The outlying possessions are defined as American Samoa and Swains Island. Also, children born abroad to two non-citizen nationals or to one alien parent and one non-citizen national parent are eligible for non-citizen national status. This is so rare that the State Department does not even issue a certificate for it. Non-citizen nationals are delineated as such in their passports.

Complete the appropriate application form.

Each service requires the completion of a specific passport application form. It is important that the appropriate form be filled out as completely as possible. Failure to answer any questions may result in a delay. Even so, an applicant should never knowingly include incorrect information. Instructions are included with each form to help with the process. The applications are short and usually only require a few minutes to complete. The use of black ink is required when completing the printed form.

Submit required supporting documents.

Just as each service requires a specific application form, specific supporting documents are also required for each. Documents that are most frequently requested include evidence of United States citizenship, proof of identification, photocopy of ID, a passport photo, name change document, evidence of relationship between parent and child and any number of other documents that the Department of State deems necessary. You will be notified by mail if additional documents are required.

Instructions for each passport service include a list of primary and secondary documents that are acceptable. Careful attention to the specifications of each document is vital if you want to avoid delays in the process.

Pay the passport fees.

There are both required and optional passport fees. The number and amount of the fees depend on the type of passport service you are requesting and how quickly you need to get your travel document. Possible payment options include personal check, cashier's check, money order, cash or credit card depending on the location where you are applying.

These general passport requirements are just an introduction to what is necessary in order to obtain a US passport. For a list of specific requirements, visit the web page for the service that you need by selecting from the options in the menu to the left.

Expect to receive your new or renewed passport in 4 to 6 weeks. Applicants can accelerate the process to get a passport in 2-3 weeks by requesting expedited service. The fastest way to get a passport is to apply at a regional agency where processing is done in 8 business days to as quickly as the same day. Those who are unable to visit one of the processing centers can authorize a third party to hand carry the application.

Differences Between Passport Book and Passport Card U.S. PASSPORT BOOK U.S. PASSPORT CARD Valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Valid when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. Not valid for international travel by air.

Passport Fees

Adult First Time Applicants (Age 16 Years and Older) What Are You Applying For? Application Fee Payment Instructions *Execution Fee Payment Instructions Use Form Adult Passport Book & Card $140 + $25 DS-11 Adult Passport Book $110 + $25 DS-11 Adult Passport Card If you do NOT currently hold a valid Passport Book or Card $30 + $25 DS-11 All first time applicants must apply in person at a Passport Agency,an authorized Passport Application Acceptance Facility, U.S. Embassy or Consulate. *The passport execution fee is charged to passport applicants applying on Form DS-11 to recover the costs of executing the passport application, such as administering the oath, verifying the applicant's identity, and transmitting the applications. The execution fee must be paid at the time of application execution.

Adult Renewals (Age 16 Years and Older)

What Are You Renewing? Renewal Fee Payment Instructions Use Form Adult Passport Book & Card $140 DS-82 Adult Passport Book $110 DS-82 Adult Passport Card If you currently hold a valid Passport Book or Card $30 DS-82 Adult renewal applicants residing in the U.S. may apply by Mail (recommended), or in person at a Passport Agency. Adult renewal applicants residing abroad (except those residing in Canada) must apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Adult renewal applicants residing in Canada may submit Form DS-82: U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals to the address listed on the form. For these applicants residing in Canada, checks or money orders must draw on U.S. financial institutions based in the United States and be payable in U.S. dollars. Passport fee payments drawing on non-U.S. financial institutions, even when payable in U.S. currency, cannot be accepted. Acceptable U.S. checks and money orders must have a 9-digit routing number. See the sample 'check' image below. The $25 Execution Fee is not required with the Form DS-82.

All Minor Applicants (Under Age 16)

What Are You Applying For or Renewing? Application Fee Payment Instructions *Execution Fee Payment Instructions Use Form Minor Passport Book & Card $95 + $25 DS-11 Minor Passport Book $80 + $25 DS-11 Minor Passport Card $15 + $25 DS-11 All Minor applicants, including renewals, must apply in person at a Passport Agency, authorized Passport Application Acceptance Facility, U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please see Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16. *The passport execution fee is charged to passport applicants applying on Form DS-11 to recover the costs of executing the passport application, such as administering the oath, verifying the applicant's identity, and transmitting the applications. The execution fee must be paid at the time of application execution.

Optional Services

Service Additional Fee Notes Expedited Service (Applicants in the U.S. only) $60.00 See important information about Application Processing Times and follow the instructions on Get Your Passport in a Hurry. To request Expedited Service, pay the $60.00 Expedited Service Fee for each application, in addition to the required fees noted above. The Expedited Fee is required for each application submitted in person at a Passport Agency or Center. Passport Book Overnight Delivery (Applicants in the U.S. only) $20.66 We strongly suggest that you use overnight delivery service to return your newly issued Passport Book to you. Overnight delivery service is not available for passport cards, which are delivered via First Class Mail only. To request Overnight Delivery, pay the $20.66 Overnight Delivery fee for each application, in addition to the required fees noted above. Please do not submit any prepaid return mailing envelopes or mailing stamps. Newly issued Passport Books are delivered via Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation, unless you pay for overnight delivery return service at time of application. Overnight delivery service is not available for passport cards, which are delivered via First Class Mail only. File Search (Required when applicant is unable to present evidence of citizenship) $150.00 In addition to the passport application, submit a written request for File Search to verify a previous U.S. Passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Applicants who are overseas and whose passport was lost or stolen are exempt from paying the File Search Fee. For more information, see 22 CFR 22.1, Item No. 6.

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