Passports

What is a passport?

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. Any U.S. citizen may apply for a U.S. Passport. Generally, they are valid for 10 years; for children under age 16, they are valid for 5 years.

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 at the Post Office, you can apply for a new passport, renew your old one, replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport, or add new pages to your existing book. If you are leaving on a trip, include your departure date on your application. Ordinarily, you will receive your passport within 6 weeks.

Currently, because passports for Missouri residents are ordinarily processed in New Orleans, there is a significant delay in processing passport applications. Plan accordingly!

You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time; 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; or if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you are under 16 your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost of stolen.To apply for a passport in person, check with your local post office or visit one of the following locations in the City of St. Louis:

How do I renew my passport?

You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change. For more information on forms and fees, go to the State Department's webpage on How to apply for passport renewal.

Notes:

• Residents abroad should renew their passports at nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.

• Passports renewed by mail in the U.S. can only be forwarded to U.S. addresses.

• If you mutilate or alter your U.S. passport, you may invalidate it and risk possible prosecution under the law (Section 1543 of Title 22 of the U.S. Code).

• If your passport has been mutilated, altered or damaged , you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.

Can I rush my passport?

You’re leaving for vacation next month and realize that your passport has expired. Following are the U.S. State Departments directions and recommendations for expediting passport applications:

• Cost, in addition to regular application fees, is $60 per application plus overnight delivery costs.

• Two-way overnight delivery is strongly suggested.

• If you submit Form DS-82 by mail - clearly mark "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope.

• We strongly encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method.

• Additionally, in order to protect the contents of your mailing from the elements throughout the delivery process, we encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope.

• Anyone may request expedited service for any type of application (e.g., first-time applications, renewals, amendments of existing passports, etc.) See:
  • How do I change my name on my passport?
  • How to add extra visa pages to my passport?
  • How do I apply to renew my passport?

• Please note, passport applications sent together or at the same time do not necessarily remain together.

• Your passport book and/or your passport card may be mailed separately from your returned citizenship evidence.

See http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html for current processing times.

(Source: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_831.html)

Where can I get more information about U.S. passports?

The National Passport information Center is availible to answer more specific questions about your passport needs.

For emergencies & general inquiries

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.

General passport FAQ's

For answers to frequently asked questions, go to International Visas and Travel Tips on the State Department's website.

You've got your passport and you're ready to go on your trip, right? Not quite. You still have to check with the country or countries you'll be visiting to determine whether or not you'll need a visa (click here). A visa is permission from a country to cross their borders and comes in the form of a stamp in your U.S. Passport. You usually have to mail your passport to the Embassy or Consulate of the country you'll be visiting, so allow plenty of time to accomplish this. Also, check the State Department website for travel warnings and consular information sheets that provide very helpful information about the country you plan on visiting. The State Department services website also contains very comprehensive information on all the services it provides both stateside and abroad. This includes crisis assistance for U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad, and various travel publications available on-line.

American Embassies and Consulates General: Many U.S. Diplomatic Missions abroad have information on-line. For those that don't, check the State Department's Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts for addresses, and phone and fax numbers for U.S. Embassies and Consulates throughout the world.