Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz (D-TX)

Obtaining a Passport

U.S. citizens need valid passports to enter most foreign countries and to return to the United States. Exceptions to this rule include travel between the United States and Mexico, Canada and some countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Please consult with the U.S. embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit for specific entry requirements or refer to the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Be aware that some airlines and cruise lines strongly recommend or require that passengers have passports even for travel that does not require them. The usual wait to

process a passport application, - if all paperwork is in order and additional evidence is not requested - is about 6 weeks after receipt of completed applications.  If additional evidence is requested it will take longer. 

Also be aware that travel beyond our borders requires a visa from the country that you will be visiting. The embassy or consul of that country in the United States issues visas. The time it takes for visas to be issued varies from country to country, so be sure to allow plenty of time to obtain your visa as well as the passport for which you are applying. As with passports, Mexico, Canada and some other countries in this hemisphere are exceptions to this rule of needing a visa to enter the country. Sometimes countries will not offer a visa unless the person wanting to visit has had a valid passport for six months.

If you wish to apply for a passport, you need to do the following:

1. You need to apply for it in person at the nearest passport acceptance agency to file your completed application. Area Passport Acceptance Agencies are located at the following locations:

• Brownsville: There are two locations; one is the County Clerk's Office at 974 East Harrison Street (956.544-0838), and the other is the Post Office at 1535 Los Ebanos Blvd (956.546-2411).
• Corpus Christi: The Hector P. Garcia Post Office, 809 Nueces Bay Blvd. (361-886-2238, automated recording)

2. You must provide proof of your citizenship. For a U.S. citizen born in the United States, this proof is generally a certified birth certificate. A U.S. citizen at birth not born in the United States needs either a previous, fully valid U.S. passport, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (form FS 240), or a Certification of Birth Abroad (form DS 1350 or FS 545). A naturalized U.S. citizen needs either a Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. For those who need help in locating birth or citizenship records, the Vital Records Center at 202.955-0307 can provide assistance for between $20 and $40.

3. You must provide photographs. You need two, identical photos of yourself that are a clear, front view, full-face likeness without a hat or dark glasses. Vending machine prints, snapshots or retouched photos are unacceptable.

4. You must have proper identification with a signature and a photo. Proper identification includes: a previous U.S. passport, a current driver's license (not a temporary or learner's permit), or a government identification (federal, state or municipal).

5. You will need to pay the proper filing fee, which is $60. Forms of payment include: a check or money order (preferably a money order).

6. PLEASE NOTE: The State Department has several revisions in requirements to issue passports to minors under age 14.

If there is an emergency and you need to travel immediately (within 14 days or less), you need to contact the Houston Passport Agency's automated phone system (713-751-0294) to set up an appointment for an expedited passport application process. There is an additional $35 fee to expedite a passport, and you will need to submit proof of the urgency for immediate travel. (Proof in this instance can be airline tickets or an airline confirmation itinerary.

If the need for immediate travel is due to business, the employer must provide a letter. If the need for immediate travel is for medical reasons, a letter should be submitted by the physician of the person overseas you need to see, although this is not always required.