New Law - All minors must appear in person

New Law for Children under 14 starting July 2, 2001 Click here for information

To print Passport Application Forms click here .

What is a passport?

An internationally recognized travel document that confirms the identity and nationality of the bearer. US Passports are issued to United States citizens. All United States citizens applying for passports must get individual passports in their own names.  

What types of passports are there?

Regular Passports (Blue) are issued on a fee basis to citizens traveling outside the US for pleasure or business. Official Passports (Red) are no-fee passports issued to officials or employees of the United States government who are going abroad in the discharge of their official duties.   Diplomatic Passports (Black) are no-fee passports issued to Foreign Service officers and to certain other officers and employees of the United States government who are going abroad on official business of a diplomatic nature.

How long are passports valid?

Regular fee passports, ages 16 and over are valid for 10 years ;
Regular fee passports, ages 15 and under are valid for 5 years;
Official and Diplomatic passports are valid for 5 years

A full validity (5 or 10 year) US passport is always proof of US citizenship. Even when a passport expires it is still proof that you are a US citizen. Do not destroy old passports. Put them away in a safe place.

First Time Customers Applying for a Passport…

First time customers must complete application form DS-11, but DO NOT SIGN IT until instructed to do so by a Passport Acceptance Agent. To obtain a US passport you will need the following :

Proof of US Citizenship

IDENTIFICATION

The following documents are generally acceptable if it readily identifies the customer and/or parent*.  The parent must execute the application.  All minors must appear in person and execute the application.  A parent should accompany minors ages 14 to 17 unless the minor has a valid driver's license (not learner's permit). 

One of the following:

Social security cards are not acceptable as identification. If none of the above are available, you will need:

• A person who can vouch for the applicant.  This person must have known the applicant for at least 2 years, be a US citizen or permanent resident, have valid identification.  They will need to fill out a Form DS-71 in front of the passport agent;

AND

• The passport applicant must have some form of signature ID, such as credit card, bank card, library card.
  If applying for a child 14 and under:  Both parents or legal guardians must apply for the child and the child must appear in person.
  • The parents or guardians must show current valid identification;
  • If the parents are NOT a citizen, they must show an alien registration card (green card), valid foreign passport, other identification such as a driver's license;
  • If the parents do not have acceptable identification, someone with current, valid identification must vouch for the parents as described above.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Submit two identical photographs of you alone, sufficiently recent to be a good likeness of you (normally taken within the last 6 months), and 2 x 2 inches in size. The image size measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair) should not be less than 1 inch and not more than 1-3/8 inches. Photographs must be clear, front view, full face, taken in normal street attire without a hat or dark glasses, and printed on thin paper with a plan light (white or off-white) background. They may be in color or black and white. They must be capable of withstanding a mounting temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 degrees Celsius). Photographs retouched so that your appearance is changed are unacceptable. Snapshots, most vending machine prints and magazine or full-length photographs are unacceptable. Digitized photos must meet the pervious stated qualifications and will be accepted for use at the discretion of Passport Services.

FEES (Effective March 8, 2005 ) - must be paid in check or money order

Routine Service (Form DS-11)

Effective March 8, 2005 , all those applying for a U.S. passport must pay a passport "Security Surcharge" of $12.00, which will be collected in addition to the passport processing fee. The security surcharge will fund multiple security enhancements in the U.S. passport. The $12.00 surcharge will be collected along with the regular passport processing fee of $55.00 for those 16 and older (total fee $67.00) and $40.00 for those under 16 (total fee $52.00) for routine service. The $25.00 execution fee collected by acceptance facilities will remain the same. These fees are non-refundable. For expedite service, the $60.00 "expedite fee" is also collected.

The surcharge will also support the cost of upgrading passport delivery from first class to Priority Mail with delivery confirmation.

Passport Renewal (Form DS-82) (Mail in Service) $67 made payable to Passport Services

You may use this form if you meet the following criteria:

• You can submit your most recent passport;
• Your previous passport was issued on or after your 16th birthday and was issued within the past 15 years.
• You use the same name as on your most recent passport or since your passport was issued, you have had your name changed by marriage or court order and can submit proper documentation to reflect the name change.

Please note that if you use form DS-82 you mail it in on your own - Passport Acceptance Facilities do not process these applications. The address to mail the form to can be found on the form itself.