Passports allow you to travel outside of the U.S. 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 take from 30 to 40 days. 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 Act Release Form and send it with a detailed explanation of your request to:
Congressman David G. Valadao
101 North Irwin Street
Suite 110 B
Hanford, California 93230
You may also contact my staff in Hanford at (559) 582-5526.
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 their borders. It comes in the form of a stamp in your United States Passport prior to leaving the country. In most cases, you need to mail your passport to the Embassy or Consulate of the country you will be visiting. Please plan ahead and allow plenty of time for all paperwork and application periods to finish.
The United States Department of State’s Travel Webpage also contains comprehensive information on crisis assistance for United States citizens living or traveling abroad as well as addition miscellaneous travel information.
For a list of U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, please visit the Embassy Index on the Department of State website.