Passports

PASSPORTS

For new travelers, a word of explanation: a passport is issued by the country of your citizenship, and serves as your identification. A visa is issued by the country or countries you intend to visit. It is their permission, obtained prior to arrival, for you to enter their country.

DO I NEED TO HAVE A PASSPORT?

Most countries require that U.S. citizens provide a valid passport. A few areas, including Canada, Mexico, U.S. territories, and most islands in the Caribbean will accept a combination of a picture ID (such as a driver's license) PLUS proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, naturalization papers, etc. A driver's license is NOT proof of citizenship! See VitalChek Network for information on how to obtain a birth certificate.

A special note regarding minors:

Proof of citizenship must be provided for each person, regardless of age. In addition, proof of parentage will also be required. If the child is not traveling with both legal parents, a notarized letter from the non-accompanying parent giving permission for the child to travel will be required. If you're traveling with children, be sure you have the appropriate documents.

WHAT DO I NEED IN ORDER TO GET A PASSPORT?

If you've never had one issued, you need the following:

1) A certified copy of your birth certificate, if you were born in the U.S. A photocopy is not sufficient. A certified copy will have a raised state seal or similar.

2) Two identical 2" x 2" recent photos (head shots only) with white or light background. Many camera stores and such stores as Kinko's have specialized Polaroid cameras that can produce the photos while you wait. A hint: you may want to have a few extras taken while you're there. Depending on where you'll be traveling, you may need such photos for visas.

3) A completed (but unsigned) form DSP-11 Application for a Passport. These are obtainable from a number of sources including passport offices, many travel agencies, or downloaded from the Internet (see below)

4) Some form of identification such as a valid driver's license, government or military ID, corporate ID, etc.

5) Fees. $65 for an adult's passport, valid for 10 years $40 for a child under 18 years of age, good for 5 years.

CAN'T I APPLY BY MAIL?

You may, IF you can provide your previous passport and it was issued within the past 12 years and you were over 18 when it was issued.

What do I need to apply by mail.

If you qualify, you need your previous passport, 2 photos as described above, completed form DSP-82, completed and signed, and fees of $55.

A note regarding name changes:

If your name has changed since your most recent passport was issued, you must provide a certified copy of the document specifying your new name. This may be a divorce decree, adoption order, marriage certificate, etc. But it must be certified, and it must specify the name change. If you can't provide such a document, you may not apply by mail.

EXPEDITING A PASSPORT REQUEST

What if I need a passport in a hurry?

You have several options that may allow expediting the process.

1) You may take all of the documents mentioned above, plus your air tickets showing the date of your travel, to one of several passport-issuing offices. There are currently 13 such offices. For locations and phone numbers, see the Passport Agency contact info below.

2) You can take your documents to the local processing office (usually a post office or county courthouse) and pay an extra fee (currently $30) to move the process along. You'll also need a copy of your itinerary from an airline or travel agency (or copies of your air tickets) to indicate that speed is essential.

3) A number of passport services can arrange express processing for those who qualify for passports by mail.

QUESTIONS ABOUT BIRTH CERTIFICATES, PROOF OF BIRTH OR CITIZENSHIP

I don't have a birth certificate. Where can I obtain one?

Contact your local passport processing office or, for a complete list of addresses by state, see the State Department Internet site below or download from http://www.vitalchek.com.

The courthouse that had my birth information burned down and no state record of my birth exists. What can I do?

It happens. Obtain an official statement from the Department of Statistics (or Vital Records...the name varies from state to state) explaining that no birth certificate can be issued. You will need to collect other documents such as hospital certificates, family bibles, school records, church baptismal records, notarized affidavits from an attending doctor, nurse, or midwife, etc. The more documents, the better! You will also need a notarized affidavit from an older relative who can attest to your birth. Take all the proof you can gather when you appear in person to apply. Of course, once you've obtained a passport, keep it current so you don't have to prove your birth again.

I was born to U.S. citizens while my mother was in a foreign country. What do I need?

If you have a certificate of naturalization, a Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen, or similar document, use it. If you have no such document, check with your local processing office for their requirements.

I'M LEAVING NEXT MONTH AND WILL BE GONE FOR 1 WEEK. MY PASSPORT IS VALID FOR 2 MONTHS FROM TODAY. WILL I HAVE TO GET A NEW ONE?

Most countries require that your passport be valid for at least 3-6 months after your planned date for departing their country.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR 13 REGIONAL PASSPORT AGENCIES

ADDITIONAL SOURCES FOR PASSPORT INFORMATION

THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S WEB SITE

http://www.house.gov/tomdavis/passport.htm

DOWNLOAD A PASSPORT APPLICATION

http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

OBTAIN A BIRTH CERTIFICATE
http://www.vitalchek.com

AMERICAN PASSPORT EXPRESS

http://www.rscs.net/~gb2570/index

This is the site for American Passport Express, a business which specializes in processing applications. Their site also has lists of local offices and other useful information. We have no personal experience with their service, but their information is useful.

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