Image of Federal Consumer Information Center star linking to the Federal Consumer Information Center web site
Red button linking to National Contact Center's home page
Red button linking to the Consumer Action Handbook
Red button linking to www.kids.gov page
Red button linking to the federal phone directories page
Red button linking to the toll free phone directories page

Popular Topics

Congress
Consumer Topics
Recalls
Freedom of Information Act
Federal Employment
Privacy Act
Medicare and Medicaid
Federal Grants
Federal Loans
Savings Bonds
Government Publications
The Draft
Finding Military Personnel
Social Security
Passports/Travel Abroad
Workplace Issues
Presidential Greetings
Order a Flag


Image of Firstgov.gov logo linking to the U.S. Government's Official Web Portal.



About Us
Text Version
Site Map
Privacy Policy
Security Statement
Title bar linking to National Contact Center's home page.

Passports and Travel Abroad

| Passports for Adults | Passport for Kids | Renewals | Reissues | Expedite Process |
 
| Status Check  | More Information | Travel Warnings| Immunizations | Driving Abroad|

Americans who travel to most countries other than our near neighbors (for example, Canada and Mexico) must have a valid passport. In general, it takes about 4-5 weeks to process an application. You can obtain Passport Services and Information, including the location of the nearest Passport Acceptance Agency or Passport Office, by visiting the State Department's Passport Services and Information web site.

First-time passports for adults (persons 16 or older)

Where do I apply? In person at your closest Passport Acceptance Agency or Passport Office.  To find the office nearest you, please visit the Where to Apply for a Passport Nationwide web site.

What form do I use? Fill out a DSP-11 form, the original of which is brown and white in color.

What else do I need to bring with me? Along with the completed form you are required to provide proof of United States citizenship. This proof may be a State-certified copy of your birth certificate, an old US passport, your naturalization certificate, or a certificate of American citizenship. Along with the proof of citizenship, you have to prove your identity with a photo ID. This proof may be a valid US drivers license (learner permits are not accepted), a military ID, a pilots license, a school ID, or a similar document. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you may also be required to have a parent or guardian with you.

What about the photographs? You must have two identical passport photographs, normally taken within the last 6 months.  A detailed description of photograph requirements is on the passport application form.   Consult your yellow pages for listings for passport photographers.

How much does it cost and for how long is a passport good? The total fee is $85.00 and the passport is valid for 10 years.

Passports for children (persons 15 or younger)

Who applies for the passport? A parent or guardian.

What documents and other papers are required? Proof of the child’s citizenship, 2 passport photographs, a DSP-11 form completed by the parent, and proof of the parent’s identity.

How much does it cost and for how long is this passport good? The total fee is $70.00 and the child’s passport will be valid for 5 years.

Do the children have to apply in person? Children 12 years old and younger are not required to appear in person at a Passport Acceptance Agency or Passport Office. All others must apply in person and may be required to have a parent or guardian with them.

Can I renew a child’s passport? No. If the individual is still not 16 years old when the passport expires, then the same process has to be followed as explained above.

Additional Fees

An additional adjudication fee of $100 will be charged to previously undocumented passport customers who were born outside the United States and who have not been issued any of the following documents: a U.S. passport, a consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Certification of Report of Birth, a Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship.

An additional fee $15 will be charged when, upon request, the Department of State verifies issuance of a previous U.S. passport or consular Report of Birth Abroad because the customer is unable to submit evidence of U.S. citizenship.

No fee is charged to applicants with U.S. Government or military authorization for no-fee passports (except designated acceptance facilities may collect an execution fee of $15).

Passport Renewals

What is the deadline for renewal? An expired adult’s passport must be renewed no later than 15 years after the issue date.

Is the application form different? Yes. It’s a form DSP-82, the original of which is red and white and is available from Passport Acceptance Agencies and Passport Offices.

What do I submit? The form, the old passport, name change information (if applicable), and new photos.

How much does it cost? The total fee is $55.00.

Do I have to apply in person? No. You should mail the form and the required materials to the address on the back of the form. You should try to reserve personal visits for when you are requesting expedited processing of your application.

Passport Reissues (for modifications or changes)

Is the application form different? Yes. For amendments (name changes, adding pages), it’s a form DSP-19.

What do I submit? The form, the old passport, name change information (if applicable), and new photos (if applicable).

How much does it cost?  There is no fee for this service unless you require expedited service.

Do I have to apply in person? No. You should mail the form and the required materials to the address on the back of the form. You should try to reserve personal visits for when you are requesting expedited processing of your application.

Expediting the Process

Can I get the passport faster? Yes, if you have proof of early departure and pay an additional $60.00 for each expedited passport.  Price does not include overnight mail service.  Two-way overnight mail is strongly suggested and must be arranged and paid for by the customer.

Status Check

How can I check the status of my application and how much will it cost? To check the status of an application you must call the National Passport Information Center, at a cost of 35 cents per minute for automated service or $1.05 per minute for operator service.  Operators are available from 8:30am to 5:30pm, eastern time Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.  The number is 1-900-CALL-NPIC (1-900-225-5674), or 1-900-225-7778 for TTY users. Credit card users pay $4.95 per call by dialing 1-888-362-8668 (TTY users dial 1-888-498-3648).

More Information

What if I have another question you haven’t answered above? To verify locations of Passport Acceptance Agencies or Passport Offices, to get more information concerning any documentation requirements or expedite procedures, you may call the National Passport Information Center (listed above under Status Check) or our National Contact Center toll-free 1 (800) FED INFO.

Travel Warnings

The Department of State regularly issues advice to Americans about unsafe or potentially unsafe conditions in the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets.

Immunizations

You may check on immunizations requirements and other health issues connected with international travel by talking to your personal physician, by calling your county health department, or by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Travel Information Page.

Driving Abroad

Many foreign countries require that Americans have an International Drivers Permit (IDP) in addition to a license from their home State. You may check the closest consular office of the country you are visiting to confirm whether you need an IDP and for insurance requirements for Americans who wish to drive in that country. If you are unsure where the consular office is, please call the Federal Information left toll-free at 1 (800) FED INFO. Your automobile insurance carrier should also be able to tell you about coverage in another country.

If you are over 18, have a valid license, and two passport-size photographs, you may obtain an IDP from a local office of the American Automobile Association. If a local office is not listed in your telephone directory, please visit AAA’s web site for guidance.

For precautions on driving and train travel overseas, you may read through the U.S. Department of State’s article, "Traveling By Train and Driving Abroad." Image linking to top of page

Reviewed: August 4, 2004

Logo of the General Services AdministrationThis service is provided by the Federal Citizen Information Center of the U.S. General Services Administration. If you have a comment or question, e-mail us.