How Long Does a New Passport Take to Process

November 27, 2021

How to Get a U.S. Passport

If you want to travel abroad, you need a passport. This document proves your citizenship, holds visas issued to you by other countries and lets you reenter the U.S. When applying for a passport, you need the appropriate documentation and current U.S. passport fees.

Complete the Application and Gather Documents

The first step in applying for a U.S. passport is determining which form you need. First-time applicants need to complete Form DS-11, but individuals who want to renew their passports must use DS-82. You can download your form from the U.S. Department of State website and complete it by hand or fill in the information online and print the form.

In addition to the appropriate form, you need to submit documents that prove your identity and U.S. citizenship. The Department of State accepts an undamaged passport, birth certificate issued by a state or county government, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship. This documentation must be original or certified copies.

Submit Application and Documentation

If you're applying for your first U.S. passport, you must submit the form, documentation, passport photos and fees at a passport acceptance facility. This may be a county clerk facility or local post office. The U.S. Department of State maintains a database of passport acceptance facilities on its website. You enter your zip code to find the closest local office. The website also provides important details like whether you need an appointment and office hours.

You can renew your passport by mail. Send your completed application, original documentation, passport photos and fees to the National Passport Processing Center. The processing center will return your documentation to you through the mail along with your new passport.

Passport Fees

There is a charge for processing and printing a passport. These fees vary depending on the age of the applicant and the passport format you want. Passports for minor children cost less than passports for adults. A passport card costs less than a passport book. First-time applicants must pay an execution fee in addition to the application fee. There are also additional charges for expedited services.

Passport Books vs. Passport Cards

You can choose between a passport book and a passport card or order both. The passport card is valid only for land or sea travel between the United States and Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. If you're planning a cruise to the Caribbean, the passport card is sufficient, but you need a passport book for all other forms of international travel.

Passports for Minors

When applying for a passport for a child under the age of 16, be prepared to show additional documentation. In addition to proof of citizenship, both parents must authorize the passport application and present proof of the parental relationship. The Department of State recommends that both parents appear at the passport facility to meet these requirements. Children ages 16 and 17 can apply for their own passports as long as they have the proper identification documents and a parent's signed statement saying he or she is aware the child is applying for a passport. Alternatively, the parent can attend the appointment with the teen.

Bolton Crist1942