A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify United States passports.

How do I obtain a Passport?

Passports are obtained through the Passport Services Division of the Department of State. Through your local passport acceptance agent, usually the Post Office or county courthouse, you can apply for a new passport, renew your old one, or do any of a number of things, including replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport, or add new pages to your existing book.

Since the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative went into effect in January 2007, passport processing times have changed due to the large volumes of applications. For the most current processing estimates, please visit the State Department website.

For those who are applying for their U.S. passport for the first time, you must apply in person at a local passport acceptance agent. This also applies if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession, if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago, if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under 16, or if your current U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.

How do I renew my Passport?

You can renew your passport by mail if you meet these following conditions:
  • Your most recent passport is available for submission and it is not damaged
  • You received the passport within the past 15 years
  • You were at least 16 years of age when the passport was issued
  • You still have the same name or can legally document your name change
If any of the statements above do not apply to you, you must apply in person.

Keep In Mind:
  • Residents who live abroad should renew their passports at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.
  • Passports renewed by mail in the United States can only be forwarded to an address in the U.S.
  • Intetional mutilation or alteration of your passport is grounds for invalidation and risks possible prosecution under the law.
  • If your passport has been damaged or inadvertently altered, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.
Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean?

Yes. As of January 23, 2007, all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to show a valid passport, AIR NEXUS card, a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551. Valid passports include the new U.S. Passport Cards, a low-cost alternative to standard Passports. Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens traveling to the countries listed above by land or sea will be required to have a passport, a passport card, or an approved WHTI document.

I need my passport in a hurry. What can I do?

A month prior to your vacation, you've realized that your passport has expired. For a $60 fee, and the cost of two-way overnight delivery, a passport may be expedited, processed, and received in two weeks. Please click here for additional details.

If you have questions, you may contact the Detroit Passport Agency:

Detroit Passport Agency

211 West Fort Street, 2nd Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
(877) 487-2778
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. (excluding federal holidays)

In an emergency:

If you have a travel emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center to speak to a Customer Service Representative. Do not e-mail. Customer Service Representatives and Operators for TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.

Telephone Number: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778)
TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793

For general questions:

You can get information on passports from a Customer Service operator at the NPIC numbers listed above. Additionally, automated information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In an emergency abroad:

If your passport is lost or stolen while abroad, you should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. In the event of an emergency while abroad, the State Department offers a number of crisis assistance services.

Travel Tips

To ensure your safety while abroad, check the State Department's travel warnings and guidelines to see the conditions at your destination. Also, research your destination with the State Department's country-specific profiles. Also, be sure to check the visa requirements of your destination country.


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