Obtaining and Renewing a Passport

 Applying for a Passport

    Depending on desired use, passports come in two particular forms, a card or a book. Passport cards are wallet-size documents with radio frequency identification (RFID) for fast entry through land or sea borders of specific countries (Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean Islands). Passport books are sufficient for any country by land, sea, and air. Books carry blank pages for visas and stamps to record visits.


Example of Passport Books
[source: https://travel.state.gov/]

Example of Passport Card
[source: https://travel.state.gov/]

    To identify the holder in an international setting, passports contain both citizenship and personal identification information. A person’s full name, nationality, sex, date of birth, and place of birth are visible. Passports also show their date of issuance, expiration, and are serialized with unique passport numbers. Passports expire after ten years for applicants sixteen and older, and five years for applicants under sixteen. There are many places to apply for a passport, referred to as acceptance facilities, but designated facilities may vary by zip code. 

Acceptance Facility Locator for In-person Visits

The Department of State covers application requirements on its official website: https://travel.state.gov/

Applying for a passport must be done in person if:

  • It is the first passport
  • The previous passport was issued fifteen years ago, or under the age of sixteen
  • The previous passport was lost, damaged, or stolen

Necessary Documents/Materials:

Additional materials for Children Under 16:

  • ID* of the present parent/guardian
  • Provide proof of parental relationship
    • Typically covered by the birth certificate
  • Provide dual parental consent
    • Both parents are present
    • If only one parent is present:
      • Present a Notarized Statement of Consent (form DS-3053) signed by the missing parent with a notarized photocopy of his/her ID
      • Present court/judicial orders for sole legal authority of child to the present parent
    • If neither parent is present
      • A third party must present a signed notarized statement of consent and notarized photocopy of ID for each parent

Additional material for Children of 16 or 17 years:

  • Proof of parental awareness can be one of the following:
    • A parent present to sign form DS-11 provide a photocopy of their ID
    • A signed note with photocopy of ID from parent
    • Proof of parent paying application fees
      • Name on check or money order
    • Notarized Statement of Consent (form DS-3053) signed by a parent with a notarized photocopy of his/her ID
  • ID* of applicant or present parent/guardian

* Out of state IDs must be presented with an additional ID

  Local notaries can often be found online or through a phone book, but if outside the US, the document must be notarized at the acceptance facility. Common places to notarize a document inside the US include:

  • Local Government Offices
    • City/County clerk, court office
  • Local banks
  • Law offices
  • Public libraries
  • Shipping locations
    • Post office, UPS, FedEx
  • Some college/university offices
  • Insurance, real estate, or travel offices

Renewing a Passport

    Passports can only be renewed or changed by mail using the United States Postal Service (USPS), but the process can be expedited or done by appointment if the situation qualifies as urgent.

DS-82 Passport Renewal Form

  • The form can also be used to attain a passport card if one already possesses a passport that has been issued within fifteen years.

Things to mail alongside the completed renewal form:

  • Most recent passport (will be returned separately from the new passport)
  • Passport photo
  • Certified copy of any legal name-change documents
  • Form of payment
    • Either a check or money order payable to “US Department of State”

Where to send application and materials:

  • If you live in California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, or Texas

National Passport Processing Center

Post Office Box 640155

Irving, TX 75064-0155

  • If you live in any other state or Canada

National Passport Processing Center

Post Office Box 90155

Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155 

  • If qualified for expedited service, write “Expedite” on outside of envelope and send to Philadelphia location below. Include in the money order the additional fees required for expediting and/or for 1-2 day shipping after processing (not applicable for passport card renewals)