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 renewal is required if your previous passport was issued when you were age 16 or older, is undamaged, was issued within the last fifteen years, and is under your current name or you have legal documentation of your name change. You should apply for renewal several months before your passport expires or before planned international travel, as processing times can vary. Most adult renewals can be completed by mail using Form DS-82, accompanied by your most recent passport, a new passport photo, and any necessary name change documents, without needing to appear in person or schedule an appointment. The U.S. Department of State has also introduced limited online passport renewal options for eligible applicants, allowing you to submit your application electronically for added convenience. If your passport was issued before your 16th birthday, is significantly damaged, expired more than fifteen years ago, or was lost or stolen, you must apply as a first-time applicant with an in-person appointment. 

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-5504 is used when you need to correct a data or printing error on your valid U.S. passport, update your name within one year of your passport’s issue date, or replace a limited-validity passport issued in an emergency or special circumstance. To complete this process, mail the signed DS-5504 form along with your most recent passport, a new passport photo, and any required supporting documents such as proof of your name change to the address listed on the form. No appointment or in-person visit is necessary, and eligible applicants can request either routine or expedited processing. This form is designed to quickly update or correct your passport information without the need for a full renewal application. 

 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-3053 is used to provide parental consent when one parent or guardian cannot be present during a child’s U.S. passport application process. This form must be completed, signed, and notarized by the non-applying parent or guardian to authorize the issuance of a passport to a minor under age 16. The completed form should be submitted along with the child’s passport application (Form DS-11) and other required documents at an authorized passport acceptance facility. Providing this consent is essential to comply with U.S. passport regulations and ensure the child’s passport is issued without delays. 

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 

Form DS-86 is used to report that you did not receive your U.S. passport after it was mailed to you. This form helps the U.S. Department of State cancel the lost passport and start the process for issuing a replacement. You must complete and submit DS-86 along with your passport application if you are applying for a replacement passport under these circumstances. The form can be submitted by mail or in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility. Promptly reporting a passport that was not received is essential to protect against misuse and to ensure you can obtain a valid replacement as quickly as possible. 

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.