Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Where to Get a Passport

There are many places to get a passport. The place you need to go depends on the type of passport service you require and how soon you need to have your travel document returned to you. The information below will help you decide where to get your passport.

Passport by Mail

You can apply for a passport renewal by mail using Form DS-82 if you meet certain requirements and have more than two weeks before your departure. Your present passport cannot be damaged. It should have been issued to you within the past 15 years and when you were at least 16 years old. Your name must be the same as that in your present passport or you need to send documentation of the change such as a certified copy of your marriage license. If you do not meet these requirements, you cannot apply by mail.

Passport Acceptance Facility

For regular or expedited processing of a new passport, you need to take your completed application form DS-11 along with all supporting documents to the nearest passport acceptance facility. The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Passport Services authorizes many public libraries, post offices, clerks of court, and other state, county, township, and municipal government offices to receive passport applications on its behalf. There are over 9,000 such locations throughout the United States and U.S. territories.

Regional Passport Agency

Another location available to get a passport is any of the thirteen regional passport agencies. These agencies only attend travelers who need a passport in less than 2 weeks. If you need to get a passport in a hurry, this is a good option. Agencies are located in Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. You can also find them in Aurora, Colorado and Norwalk, Connecticut.

You first need to call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 and set up an appointment at the passport agency that serves your region. You should neither arrive more than 15 minutes early nor be more than 15 minutes late. Be sure to take you completed, unsigned application, proof of US citizenship, current identification, two passport photos, proof of departure, and your appointment confirmation number.

Private Passport Expediter

In cases where you need to get a passport within a couple of weeks and are unable to travel to a regional passport agency, you can contract a private expediting service to obtain your travel document for you. You still need to present your application and documents to a passport agent but, instead of mailing them directly to the Office of Passport Services, you would send them to the expediter you have contracted and authorized to represent you.

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