Passport Application

Renewal

First of all, consider whether you can renew your passport by mail. If your current passport is less than 15 years old and is undamaged, you may qualify. However, you must be at least 16 years old now and when the original passport was issued. If your current name differs from your passport, you can still renew by mail but you must provide legal proof, such as a marriage license, that documents your new name.

If it is during the busiest time of year, such as the summer, it can take up to 3 months to receive your passport. During off-peak periods, it may only take 4 or 6 weeks. These times can be halved if you wish to pay an extra $60 for expedited service. When mailing in an application, place the passport forms and your documentation in an envelope that will protect it from the weather. It is also best to use a carrier that allows you to track your mailing and verify proof of delivery.

If you have never had a passport, or if your old one is beyond the time frame of 15 years, you must appear in person. You must also make a personal application if under age 16 either at the present time or when the prior passport was issued. If your previous passport was stolen, lost, or damaged, you cannot renew by mail but must go in person to make the application. Name changes for which you do not have legal documentation also require that you complete the application process in person.

Where To Go

Typically, most people choose to apply at their local post office or office of the county clerk. There are several official passport agencies located across the country, but these are regionally based and may be quite distant from your home. Every office will keep different hours, so it is best to call ahead. Every one, however, will need the same types of documentation. You must prove you are a citizen of the United States by providing an official birth certificate or proof of naturalization. Consular reports or notice of birth can serve if you were born abroad and your parents were citizens of the U.S. If you have an undamaged passport, this will also serve to document citizenship.

Photo ID

You must also prove your identity. A passport can do double duty and fulfill this requirement as well as proving your citizenship. A state issued ID card or driver's license will also suffice. However, if your license is from a different state than the one in which you are applying for a passport, you must provide secondary identification. The agency will accept a social security card, a credit card in your name, or an identification card from your employer. Whatever forms of identification you plan to use, take along a photocopy of both sides of the document. Do not make two sided copies.

You will need two color photographs of yourself. They must be identical and no more than 6 months old. Your appearance cannot vary significantly from the photograph. Each must be 2 x 2, taken against a white or nearly white background, and be a front view of your full face. The space between bottom of chin and top of head cannot be less than 1 inch or greater than 1-3/8 inches. You should dress in your normal manner for the picture, and if that includes a wig or glasses, they should be worn in the photograph. However, do not wear a hat or hair trim that hides the hairline.

There are different requirements for special passports, such as for children or dignitaries. However, most adults who need passports should now have a good idea of what will be required to complete an application. Accurately completing the pass port forms and providing the proper documentation are the most crucial elements for success.