Passports and Traveling Abroad
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Passports

Passports allow you to travel outside of the United States. To obtain a passport, applications must be submitted to the Passport Services Division of the U.S. Department of State. You can submit a new application, renew your old one, update your current passport, or replace a lost or stolen passport through an agent, usually at the Post Office.

Securing a passport usually takes anywhere from six to eight weeks.  The process can be expedited for a $60.00 fee plus the cost of 2-way overnight mail.  By doing this, you can usually receive your passport in 7 to 10 days.

Obtaining a passport can be a confusing process, especially on short notice. If you need assistance securing a passport beyond the resources provided below, my staff is happy to assist you. Please fill out a Privacy Authorization Form and send it with a detailed explanation of your request to:

Congressman Timothy V. Johnson
Attention: Shanna Khan
2004 Fox Drive
Champaign, Illinois 61820
Fax: (217) 403-4691

You may also contact my staff in my Champaign Office at (217) 403-4690.

Traveling Abroad

Before leaving the country, check to see if the country or countries you are visiting require a visa.  A visa is permission from a country to cross its borders. It comes in the form of a stamp or document in your United States Passport prior to leaving the country. If you will indeed need a visa, you will mail your passport and visa application to the city in the closest proximity to you within the United States that has a Consulate or Embassy of the country you will be visiting. In order to find the Consulate or Embassy that you will need to contact, visit the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Please plan ahead and allow plenty of time for all paperwork and application periods to finish.

For a list of U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, please visit the Embassy Index on the Department of State website.

Resources

Bureau of Consular Affairs
The Bureau of Consular Affairs works to protect the lives and interests of Americans abroad. Here you will find information and resources for travel documents that allow Americans to travel the globe.

Passport Services Directorate

Tips for Traveling Abroad
This website contains information on how to make your trip easier and safer.

Current Travel Warnings
It is important to check the Department of State's website for travel warnings and information on the country or countries you plan on visiting. You can also find information about assistance in the untimely event that a crisis occurs while in a foreign country.

Country Specific Information
The Departments of State's website also provides information on every country in the world. Here you will find information such as the locations of U.S. Embassy and Consulates worldwide, visa requirements, crime and security information, health and medical conditions, drug penalties and localized hot spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a United States passport?
By visiting the Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page, you can find information on how to obtain a passport and how to apply for a passport. This resource also has information on how to apply for a U.S. passport from outside the United States, processing times, passport fees, expediting your passport application and the status of your passport application.

Where do I file my passport application?
The State Department’s Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page will allow you to find the nearest location to apply for a passport.

How do I renew my expired passport?
If you already have a passport that is not damaged, was issued in the past 15 years, was received after your 16th birthday, and has your same name, you can apply for a passport renewal by mail. The Department of State's website provides more detailed information on how to renew an expired U.s. passport.

I cannot wait the normal six to eight weeks processing time period for my application. Can I request that my application be expedited?
Yes. For an additional fee, you can request expedited processing, which normally takes seven to ten days. If you request further assistance, please contact my Champaign office. 

What is the Western Hemisphere Travel initiative (WHTI) and what are the new passport requirements?
The WHTI is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. All travelers must present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the country. For more information regarding the WHTI, please visit their webpage.

Where can I obtain proof of my passport application?
A print-out of the online status check – accessible from the Application Status Page of the Department of State’s website will provide official proof that your passport application has been received by the Department of State.

What if I know someone that is a U.S. Citizen and is in danger overseas?
The Department of State’s Travel Webpage contains comprehensive information on crisis assistance for U.S. Citizens living or traveling abroad, as well as additional miscellaneous travel information. It is important to contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or Consulate within the country that your friend or relative is visiting if he or she is in danger. An officer is on duty all hours of the day and night and will be able to take the appropriate action.