US Passport – Do You Need One?
All US citizens traveling anywhere outside the United States will need a passport. All children regardless of age, including newborns and infants, must have their own passport. There are special requirements for All Minors Ages 16 & 17. A U.S Passport is not required for direct travel within the 50 States (including Hawaii, Alaska, and District of Columbia) and U.S Territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island). However, if you are traveling to a U.S. State or Territory through another country (for example, traveling through Canada to go to Alaska, or, traveling through Japan to go to Guam), a passport may be required.
Also be sure to read the following information on upcoming changes to requirements for travel to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean.
Important: Travel to Mexico, Canada or the CaribbeanUntil June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens need to show proof of identity and proof of U.S. citizenship when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the 17 countries of the Caribbean region by land or sea.
On June 1, 2009, that will change when the U.S. government implements the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security. It is absolutely essential that you refer only to the U.S. State Department’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative information web site when planning travel to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean.
US Passport – Applying in Person
You must apply for a US passport in person if:
- You are applying for your first U.S. passport or
- You are under age 16 or
- Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16 or
- Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged or
- Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago or
- Your name has changed since your US passport was issued and you are unable to legally document your name change
Also note that there are special rules for all minors under age 16 and all minors age 16 and 17.
Proof of US Citizenship Required: When applying for a U.S. passport in person, you will need to provide proof of US citizenship. The following documents will be accepted as proof of US citizenship:
- Previously issued, undamaged US passport
- Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state of birth
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Naturalization Certificate
- Certificate of Citizenship
If you do not have primary evidence of U.S. citizenship or your birth certificate does not meet the requirements, you can submit an acceptable form of Secondary Evidence of US Citizenship.
US Passport Application Form: You will also need to fill out, but not sign, Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport. This form must be signed in the presence of the Passport Agent.
US Passport Photographs: You will need to provide two (2) identical, passport-quality photographs with you application for a US passport.
Your US passport photographs must be:
- Identical and in color
- 2 x 2 inches in size
- Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
- Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
- Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
- Taken in normal street attire:
- Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily
- Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline
- If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture
- Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons (a medical certificate may be required)
- Vending machine photos are not generally acceptable
- You can take your own digital photographs if they meet the US passport requirements for digital photographs.
Proof of Identification Required: When you apply for a US passport in person, you will need to present at least one acceptable form of identification, including:
- Previously issued, undamaged US passport
- Valid Driver's License
- Naturalization Certificate
- Current government ID (city, state or federal)
- Current Military ID (military and dependents)
Where to Apply in Person for a US Passport: You can apply in person for a US passport at any Passport Acceptance Facility (usually a Post Office) or Passport Agency.
Processing Fees for a US Passport: When you apply for a US passport, you will need to pay the current US passport processing fee. You can also request expedited US passport processing for an additional $60.00 fee.
Need Your US Passport Fast? If you need expedited processing of your application for a US passport, the State Department strongly suggests you schedule an appointment to apply at a Passport Agency.
How Long Will it Take? Current processing times for US passport applications can be found on the State Department’s Applications Processing Times web page. Once you have applied for a US passport, you can check the status of your application online.
US Passport – Renew by Mail
You can apply to renew your US passport by mail if your current US passport:
- is undamaged and can be submitted with your application
- Was issued when you were age 16 or older
- Was issued within the last 15 years
- Was issued in your current name or you can legally document your name change
If all of the above are true, you can renew your US passport by mail. Otherwise, you must apply in person.
