Passport Application & Passport Renewal – USPS

Passport Application & Passport Renewal | USPS

Thousands of Post Offices^™ accept first-time passport applications for the U.S. Department of State and offer products and services for both first-time and renewal passport applications. Some locations can take your passport photo.

Alert: As a temporary measure due to COVID-19, please use our online scheduler or a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk to make an appointment for passport services to ensure the safety of our employees and customers.

First-Time Passport Application

Any of the following suffice: a U.S. driver’s license; an undamaged passport (current or expired); naturalization certificate; or a current government or military ID. Parents or guardians must appear with the child when applying for a passport and must sign the DS-11 form in front of the passport agent.

Not including photo costs, a passport book for a first-time adult applicant costs a total of $145 and an adult passport book renewal costs $110. That’s the short answer. The long answer is that the cost depends on the type of passport, applicant age, and whether it’s a first-time passport or renewal.

If it was rejected due to failure of police verification or improper documentation, etc. you can correct the mistake and apply again after 3 days. If you are at odds with the reason for rejection, or if the reasons are not clear, you can write to the RPO or register a grievance.

Step 1: Gather Documents Early

Apply for your passport several months before your trip. First-time applicants, minors, and applicants who need a new passport but may not renew by mail may submit their passport application at the Post Office. The U.S. State Department website explains what you’ll need to bring with you.

• Application forms (unsigned)
• Proof of identity document and a photocopy of the front and back
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship document and a photocopy of the front and back
• Passport fees

The fee is $35 and is paid at the acceptance agent facility, usually the post office or county clerk. New Passport (for adults age 16 and older): For a new adult passport book: $110 application fee and a $35 execution fee. The new total fee is $145.

Apply for a Passport in Person

Step 2: Prepare Your Passport Application Package

For people in California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, or Texas, they must put this address on their documentation: National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 640155, Irving, TX 75064-0155.

You need to submit the application form online and then print the online Application Reference Number (ARN) receipt, which must be carried along while visiting a Camp for passport application submission.

Erroneous Application – White–out, cross-outs or any other marks on the form can void your application. So it’s better to dot the i’s and check the t’s while filling out the form. As already mentioned, don’t use anything other than black or blue ink on the application form.

Visit the U.S. Department of State website to learn how to apply for a passport and what documents you need.

1. Complete your Form DS-11 Application for U.S. Passport on the State Department website.
2. Print your completed application.
   DO NOT SIGN YOUR APPLICATION. A Postal employee must witness your signature.
3. Have a passport photo taken.
4. Photocopy your proof of identity and U.S. Citizenship documents.
5. Calculate your fees.
   • Post Offices accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for Post Office acceptance fees.
   • State Department fees are mailed with your application. You can pay with a personal, certified, cashier’s, traveler’s check, or money order, payable to “U.S. Department of State.”

Can I submit a handwritten passport application form? The DS-11 and DS-82 passport forms should always be generated using the passport form filler tool. The DS-64, DS-5525, DS-3053, and DS-86 can be handwritten. Take care to write legibly and with a black or blue pen only.

To correct a data or printing error: Complete Form DS-5504. Submit form by mail with your passport, one color photo, and evidence of the error (e.g. your U.S. birth certificate showing the correct spelling of your last name). You will not have to submit any fees.

Get Started on Your Application

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment

Post Offices that offer passport services have set hours, and you’ll need to schedule an appointment using the online Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler or a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk.

Scheduling Online

1. Go to Schedule an Appointment.
2. Choose the passport service you need, along with the number of adults and minors who need appointments.
3. You can search for an appointment by location or date first. If you search by location first, you’ll then be asked to choose a date and time; if you search by date first, you’ll then need to choose a location and time.
4. After you choose your appointment location and time, provide your contact information, and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
5. Click Review Appointment, then confirm your appointment.

If you need to modify or cancel your appointment, click the Manage Appointments tab and enter your confirmation number and email address or phone number.

Using a Self-Service Kiosk

You simply approach the self–service kiosk, pay your money and receive a ticket, all without waiting in line or asking for assistance. Self–service kiosks are also widely distributed to quick-pay restaurants where the intended goal is to expedite the process of ordering and waiting for your food.

An interactive kiosk is any computer-like device deployed in a public venue to give people self- service access to products and services. … Like the PC at your home or office, a kiosk may provide internet access for web surfing and email, viewing of multimedia files, and access to various software applications.

You can buy stamps, weigh packages, and print Priority Mail^® and Priority Mail Express shipping labels at kiosks. Bring packing tape and you can ship your items in our free boxes.

1. Go to a Post Office location with lobby self-service kiosks. Find USPS Locations
2. At the self-service kiosk, touch the screen to begin, then select “Other Services,” then “Passport Scheduler.”
3. Choose the passport service you need, then enter the number of adults and minors who need appointments.
4. Search for Post Office locations by ZIP Code™ or City/State and choose a location.
5. Select an available appointment date and time, then agree to the Terms and Conditions.
6. Enter your contact information and decide if you’d like to receive SMS text notifications.
7. Review and confirm your information, then select “Schedule Appointment” to finalize.
8. Take your printed receipt listing your confirmation number and appointment details.

Step 4: Pay Passport Acceptance & Processing Fees

First-time passport applications have two types of basic fees, the application acceptance fee and the application processing fee. Passport photos and fees for faster processing are extra.

All Fees: Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) and Debit Cards displaying the Visa or MasterCard logo. Checks (personal, certified, cashiers, travelers), payable to “U.S. Department of State”

You can pay the application fee online at e-Services Portal using a credit/debit card. Can I pay with someone else’s credit/debit card? You can also pay by someone else’s credit/debit card, but not without consent of the card owner. Is there cash on delivery option available?

Effective April 2, 2021, the passport execution fee will increase from $25 to $35. The $10 execution fee increase only applies to U.S. passport applicants using the DS-11 form, such as first-time applicants over 16, children under 16, and applicants who re-apply after reporting their previous passport lost or stolen.

Passport Application Acceptance Fees – Postal Service

Post Offices accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for Post Office acceptance fees. State Department fees are mailed with your application. You can pay with a personal, certified, cashier’s, traveler’s check, or money order, payable to “U.S. Department of State.”

Pay acceptance fees in person at the Post Office. You may pay by check or money order, payable to “Postmaster,” debit card, or credit card.

• $35.00 – Post Office acceptance fee
• $15.00 – Post Office photo fee (if needed)

Application Processing Fees – Department of State

State Department payment is sent with your application package. And State Department fees are paid separately from USPS fees.

• State Department Fees
  State Department passport fees vary. Calculate passport fees online.
• State Department Payment Methods
  NOTE: You may not pay State Department fees with credit or debit cards. You may pay with:
  • Personal, certified, cashier’s, or traveler’s check, payable to “U.S. Department of State.”
  • Money order payable to “U.S. Department of State.” You may purchase a money order at the Post Office with a debit card.

Passport Application Status Updates

It may take up to 4 weeks from the day you apply until your application status is “In Process.” During these 4 weeks, your application is delivered to a mail facility, your payment is processed, and your application is scanned and sent to the U.S. Department of State.

Check the U.S. Department of State’s website (passportstatus.state.gov) or call them at 1-877-487-2778 for an update. See more information about current processing times on the Department of State page “Passport Operations in Response to COVID-19.”

Renew a Passport by Mail

You must mail in your renewal application (Form DS-82) yourself. Mailing your Form DS-82 can be confusing since some post offices are also passport acceptance facilities. However, postal employees should not review your Form DS-82 renewal application and supporting documents before you mail it.

You are strongly encouraged to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method. … USPS Certified Mail and USPS Registered Mail are also forms of traceable mail but take longer to reach the mailing destination than Priority or Express Mail service.

You can print it and fill it out by hand, or use the Passport Application Wizard to complete the form online and print it out. While applications can be filled out online, they cannot be submitted online. You can also get a DS-82 form at a local passport acceptance facility or regional agency.

In case your passport is expired, don’t worry! you can renew it as long as it has been issued within the last 15 years.

Step 1: Apply Early

If you are renewing your passport using Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82, Post Offices do not need to review or process your application. You can mail your renewal application directly to the State Department yourself.

Please note the following:

• Adult passports are valid for 10 years and maybe renewed by mail.
• Minors’ passports may not be renewed by mail.
• Many countries require that passports be valid for at least 6 months after you enter their country. Renew your passport in plenty of time for those trips.

Step 2: Check Your Renewal Eligibility

You may renew your passport by mail if you still have your most recent passport. Certain conditions apply. If you live in Canada, you may be eligible to renew your passport by mail and avoid a trip to a U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 (TDD/TTY) to speak to a Customer Service Representative (Se habla español) on Mondays-Fridays from 8:00am to 10:00pm Eastern Time (excluding federal holidays).

You can renew your passport only if it’s undamaged and all of the following apply: It was issued less than 15 years ago. You were 16 or older when you got it. It’s in your current name (or you can legally document the name change).

The UK government allows citizens to change details and apply for passport renewal. You can even choose to replace the adult passport. In this case, the passport renewal process usually takes 3 weeks. However, the processing time may increase if you have not correctly signed the form.

The other main reason it takes so long to receive a passport is that so many people are applying for them. Way back in 1980, 3.2 million passports were issued. … Americans are becoming more interested in international travel and the freedom offered by a US passport.

The passport must be:

• In your current name (name changes are explained on Change a Passport)
• Issued within the last 15 years
• Issued when you were age 16 or older
• Undamaged other than normal “wear and tear”
• Submitted with your renewal application

Visit the official passport website and select the ‘Track Your Application Status‘ tab. From the drop-down menu, select the type of application from among the options listed. Enter the 15-digit file number and your date of birth in the format prescribed and click on ‘Track Status‘.

If your passport does not meet all these requirements, do not mail your renewal application. You must prepare the same application package as a first-time passport applicant.

State Department Renew By Mail

Step 3: Prepare Your Passport Application Package

Learn how to properly prepare your application package and include all of the necessary documents so your passport is processed on time.

1. Complete your Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 on the State Department website.
2. Print and sign your DS-82 form.
3. Have a passport photo taken.
4. Calculate your passport renewal fees.
5. Collect your most recent passport, completed and signed application, renewal fees, and name change documents, if needed.
6. Choose your envelope.
   • Use an envelope large enough to fit the application without folding it.
   • Priority Mail Express^® and Priority Mail^® service both provide free envelopes large enough to hold your application.
7. Address the envelope to the location for your state. See page 2 of your DS-82 form.

How to Renew a Passport – Details

Step 4: Mail Your Renewal Application

Department of State recommends using a USPS delivery tracking service to mail your renewal application.

Choose one of the following services:

1. USPS Priority Mail^® Service with Delivery Confirmation
2. The USPS Priority Mail^® Service with Signature Confirmation
3. USPS Priority Mail Express^® Service (for overnight delivery requests)

Compare Delivery Tracking Services

Step 5: Follow Your Application Progress

Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 (TDD/TTY) to speak to a Customer Service Representative (Se habla español) on Mondays-Fridays from 8:00am to 10:00pm Eastern Time (excluding federal holidays).

If you receive an “In Process” message, your application has been received and is under review. If your status says your passport has been mailed, but you have not received it after ten business days, you need to contact the National Passport Information Center to fill out a form stating you haven’t received it.

Friends, If you use a USPS delivery tracking service, go to USPS Tracking® to see when your package is delivered.

• With a USPS tracking service, you can see when your application arrived using the tracking number on your receipt.
• It may take up to 4 weeks from the day you apply for renewal until your application status is “In Process.” During these 4 weeks, your application is delivered to a mail facility, your payment is processed, and your application is scanned and sent to the U.S. Department of State. Check the U.S. Department of State’s website (passportstatus.state.gov) or call them at 1-877-487-2778 for an update. See more information about current processing times on the Department of State page “Passport Operations in Response to COVID-19.”

We now offer routine service in 10-12 weeks and expedited service in 4-6 weeks. If you applied and have not received your passport, you may call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 and request to expedite your passport in 4-6 weeks.

USPS Tracking Status

Passports Application for Minors Under 16

All children under age 16 must apply for a passport in person with two parents or guardians using Form DS-11. You cannot renew your child’s passport. Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years.

Inside the United States:

1. You and your child must submit your completed application, including citizenship evidence, photocopy of ID, photo, and fees, in person at a passport acceptance facility.
2. Your child may be eligible to apply in person at a passport agency if you are traveling soon.

Passport applications for children under 16 have special requirements.

• Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of a child’s passport. The best way to give consent is for both parents/guardians to go with the child when applying.
• Children need evidence of citizenship.
• Parents/guardians need proof of parental relationship.
• NOTE: Children’s passports are only valid for 5 years.

The requirement is that BOTH parents or legal guardians need to be present IN PERSON at the time of application. Both parents must show a valid identification document, such as a driver’s license, passport, or naturalization certificate. … You also need to bring your child IN PERSON to apply for his or her passport.

Are both parents required for minor passport?

Yes, the signature of both the parents is mandatory on Annexure D to be submitted along with the application as it signifies that both parents are giving consent for the issuance of a passport to the child. Annexure D is the declaration of the applicant’s parents or guardian for the issuance of a passport to the minor.

If you are not in touch with your child’s other parent/guardian, or if you refuse to give consent your ex-partner can apply to the District Court for a court order, which will allow the Passport Office to issue the passport without that consent.

If you have sole parental responsibility, you will be able to change your child’s name without  anyone else’s consent or a Court approval. You will still need to seek legal advice from a solicitor to make a formal deed to change their name.

Apply for a Minor’s Passport

State Department Travel Resources

U.S. State Department Website

• Department of State Passport Website English | Español
• Ask Questions at the National Passport Information Center
• Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
• Plan Your Trip with the Traveler’s Checklist
• Get Help in an Emergency Overseas

Lost or Stolen Passports

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you should report it immediately to the U.S. Department of State.

Report Your Lost/Stolen Passport

Passport Application & Renewal