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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