Passport Assistance

Frequently Asked Questions about Passports

Below you will find links to many questions concerning passports. Among the questions answered will be where to apply, when to apply by mail or in person and how to obtain a passport quickly.  Should you have any additional questions, or would like assistance in an emergency travel situation, do not hesitate to contact one of my offices.

1. How do I obtain a passport application or other passport-related forms?
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, replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport, or add new pages to your existing book. If you wish to download passport forms through the State Department's website, click here
 
2. How do I order a copy of my birth certificate?
One of the pre-requisites for obtaining a U.S. passport is a certified copy of your birth certificate.?? For information about obtaining a New York birth certificate, click here??. If you were born in another state or U.S. territory, click here for information about obtaining a copy of your birth certificate.

3. Where can I apply in New York?
Many post offices, libraries, state and federal courts and some municipal offices accept passport applications. To locate a passport acceptance facility near you, click here.

4 .What if I need a passport in a hurry and can't wait weeks for processing?
If you need a passport to travel within two weeks, you can apply in-person for expedited processing at the Boston Passport Agency. For directions to the Boston Passport Agency, click here. Please note that the Boston Passport Agency only processes applications for customers who are traveling within two weeks.

5. What if an emergency necessitates that I travel abroad as soon as possible?
If you are leaving on a trip within 14 days, you have two options available to you. First, you can make an appointment at the Boston Passport Agency. The automated telephone line is (617) 878-0900.?? This service is especially useful if you must travel within five days.

If you obtain an appointment early in the day, it is sometimes possible to pick up your passport that same day. In some instances, your passport will be ready for you the following business day. In that case, you can either pick your passport up, or have it sent to you using an overnight courier service, such as FedEx.??

If you are traveling within seven to ten business days, you may use a nearby acceptance facility, such as your local post office. You will need to pay an additional $35 fee for expedited service and include a self-addressed, prepaid, two-way, overnight delivery envelope. ??

Whether you apply in person at the Boston Passport Agency or use the expedited service through the mail you must present your tickets or airline-generated itinerary in order to show that, in fact, you will be traveling within the 14 day window required by the passport agency to process an expedite request.

?If you have any additional questions about your passport and if you reside in the 25th Congressional District, feel free to contact me and my staff at (585) 232-4850.

6. I have my passport- can I now head overseas?
You have 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. A visa is permission from a country to cross their borders and comes in the form of a page inserted 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. Should an emergency arise while abroad, the State Department provides crisis assistance, including information on specific emergency situations. 

Once you've obtained all your travel documents, its time to pack and get ready for your trip. Enjoy your travels!