U.S. Passport Application & Renewal Services

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An initial U.S. passport is required for anyone who has never had a U.S. passport before, minors under 16, adults whose last passport was issued before age 16, or those whose previous passport was lost or stolen. You should apply for an initial passport well ahead of any planned international travel, ideally at least three to six months in advance, to allow for routine or expedited processing times. You will need to schedule an appointment and provide proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, photo identification, a passport photo, and a completed DS-11 form. Applications must be made in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility.  For minors, both parents and the child must attend. 

A U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized identification card issued by the Department of State that serves as official proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. It is designed for convenient land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, but it cannot be used for international air travel. In addition to its travel uses, the passport card is a REAL ID-compliant document accepted for domestic flights and other identification purposes within the U.S. The card is valid for ten years for adults and five years for children under 16, offering a secure and affordable alternative for citizens who frequently cross U.S. borders by land or sea, or who want a federally recognized form of ID for everyday use. 

 Form DS-64 is used to report your U.S. passport as lost or stolen. If your passport is misplaced, stolen, or you believe it has been used fraudulently, you must complete this form to notify the U.S. Department of State. This helps protect your identity and prevents unauthorized use of your passport. You should submit Form DS-64 along with your passport application when applying for a replacement passport. The form can be submitted by mail or in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility. Reporting your lost or stolen passport promptly is crucial to safeguarding your travel identity and ensuring you can obtain a replacement as quickly as possible. 

Form DS-5525 is used when applying for a U.S. passport for a child under age 16 and it is not possible to obtain notarized written consent from one parent or legal guardian. This form allows the applying parent or guardian to explain in detail the specific exigent or special family circumstances such as an emergency, inability to contact the other parent, or unique family hardships that make obtaining the other parent’s consent impossible. DS-5525 should be completed and submitted along with the child’s passport application (Form DS-11) and any relevant supporting documentation. Completion of this form does not guarantee approval, but it provides the required explanation to the U.S. Department of State when seeking an exception to the standard two parent consent requirement for a minor’s passport application 

A Passport FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request allows you to obtain copies of passport records or related information held by the U.S. Department of State. You can use this process to request your own passport records or, with proper authorization, records for another individual. Typical passport records include application forms and supporting documents, but do not include travel stamps or visa history. To make a request, you must provide detailed information such as the full name, date and place of birth, and other identifying details to help locate the record. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or by email, and must include appropriate proof of identity or authorization. Submitting a Passport FOIA request can be useful for personal documentation, legal matters, or genealogy research, and ensures you have access to official passport records managed by the Department of State.