How to Obtain Your US Passport and Begin Your Journey

Your U.S. passport is an essential travel document, as a birth certificate is not enough to cross international borders. This requirement applies to citizens of all ages, including infants. Therefore, it’s never too early to start your application. A passport also makes a wonderful holiday gift and will serve as a cherished keepsake from your family adventures.

In recent years, the processing of U.S. passport applications, renewals, and related services has significantly slowed down. However, the passport agency recently announced that most passport renewals can now be completed online. Although this is a great improvement, they have also announced that the routine processing time for passports is now 4 to 6 weeks. The expedited processing time (available for an additional $60) is estimated to take 2 to 3 weeks. Our advice is clear: Start Now.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport

Don’t procrastinate when it comes to obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport. Whether your family is planning an exotic vacation, welcoming a new baby, or simply needs a passport renewal, it’s important to act promptly.

We assure you that obtaining a passport is easier when planned in advance, as waiting until the last minute can lead to higher costs. Previously, you could get a last-minute passport if you had at least 24 hours, but those days are likely over.

With this in mind, here are some tips and resources from the U.S. Passports and International Travel office that will simplify the entire process for you.

Who Needs Documentation to Cross Which Borders

All U.S. citizens traveling by air or land (with few exceptions) will need a passport to travel anywhere, including nearby countries like Canada, Mexico, and many Caribbean nations.

• All U.S. citizens aged 16 and older must present a valid passport for any international travel, including to Canada by car or boat.
• Children aged 15 and under may travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and 17 Caribbean countries with a copy of their birth certificate or other proof of citizenship due to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
• Teens aged 16 to 18 traveling with an organized group can follow the same rules as younger children, but if traveling independently, they will need their own passports.
• All new U.S. passports must be biometric electronic passports.
• Plan ahead for any government-issued documentation since wait times can be long. The Department of State received over 19 million passport applications in Fiscal Year 2018, contributing to longer processing times.

Never Plan to Fly Internationally? Get a U.S. Passport Card

The U.S. offers the U.S. Passport Card, a wallet-sized Real ID document that is valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

This card is not valid for international air travel and costs $65 for applicants aged 16 and older, regardless of whether they already possess a passport book. If you have an existing passport or an expired passport card, you can apply online. Otherwise, you must provide one color photo and submit your forms to an agent in person. Visit the U.S. Department of State for application details and further information.

Also read: Parent-Teen Adventures in Puerto Rico

Ordering U.S. Passports By Mail

Applicants renewing their passports by mail must meet specific criteria (check the website) and send their expired passports. Make photocopies of all documents, then deliver them to your authorized district mail center or send them directly to the nearest Passport Center (locations are listed on the Passport Info website).

Keep in mind that the period between September and December is generally the least busy for applications. September is often designated as “Passport Month,” when U.S. agencies stay open on Saturdays and offer additional services to encourage Americans to apply for or renew passports.

Renewing U.S. Passports Online

In September 2024, the Department of State expanded its online passport renewal system to include everyone who previously held a passport. This means you can now renew your passport online, rather than printing and mailing a paper application with a check. This digital process will save both time and effort.

Thanks to increased staff, improved technology, and other enhancements, the Department of State claims that the average routine passport is now being processed in roughly one-third of the time compared to last summer. Currently, routine processing for passport applications takes 6-8 weeks, while expedited processing (with an additional $60 fee) takes 2-3 weeks.

Step-by-Step Directions on Applying for a Passport

If you have a few months to spare, visit your local post office, library, or one of over 8,000 Passport Centers listed on the national passport website to pick up an application or download one online.

What You’ll Need for a U.S. Passport

• 10-Week Lead Time (consider applying 8 weeks in advance just in case)
• Completed application form (download and fill it out before your appointment)
• Proof of citizenship (previous passport or birth certificate)
• One professional-quality photo
• Proof of identity (previous passport or driver’s license)
• Required fees

Successfully Taking Your Passport Photos

Did you know that hundreds of thousands of applications are rejected each year due to poor-quality photos? Passport photos are no longer accepted if the applicant is wearing glasses, and they must be in color. The Department of State has become strict about photo quality and visibility.

The U.S. Passport Office provides guidelines on what constitutes a proper passport photo. Luckily, there’s a handy app called Passport Photo Creator that can help you take a suitable photo. The app will verify if the image is acceptable, allowing you to email it to a local Walgreens for printing. If you’re unsure of the location, you can also save the images to a flash drive and have them printed at a nearby shop.

Also read: How To Travel With Your Pets: 6 Essential Pet Travel Tips

Passport Fees are High and Increasing!

Be aware that passport fees have skyrocketed due to Security and Execution Charges, along with the new requirement for Biometric passports. Expect to pay $165 for a first-time passport (valid for 10 years), $135 for children under 16 (valid for 5 years), or $130 for a renewal (valid for 10 years).

The silver lining is that some Caribbean and Mexican resorts offer summer family travel specials that reimburse any family member who had to purchase a passport to travel there!

Who Must Apply In-Person for a U.S. Passport

Anyone applying for their first passport, regardless of age, must visit a Passport Center in person with proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. Parents can provide these documents for their kids but need to present their own photo IDs as well.

Anyone renewing an expired passport that was issued when the passport holder was under 16 must also apply in person. There are currently 8,000 U.S. passport acceptance facilities across the country. Most local Passport Centers operate by appointment only.

Obtaining U.S. Children’s Passports

Keep in mind that every citizen, regardless of age, needs their own passport. Strict guidelines apply for issuing passports to minors under 16, necessitating the presence of both parents along with proof of parentage.

If only one parent can attend, they must present a notarized consent statement from the other parent (or alternative documents such as divorce papers or death certificates, which can be included on the special form DS-5525).

Same-sex couples must follow similar protocols. “Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage,” states a State Department official, “the guideline concerning two-parent consent for passport issuance remains unchanged — all legal parents/guardians must consent to their child’s passport issuance, as determined by state law.”

Furthermore, minors aged 18 and under are encouraged to have at least one guardian present. These regulations can be complex, so check the national passport website for comprehensive details before your visit.

Note: We recommend that any parent traveling with a child who has a different surname carry a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate to provide legal proof of guardianship if required.

Are you concerned about custody issues? Parents can request that their children’s names be entered in the U.S. passport name-check system. The Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program notifies parents about passport applications made on behalf of minors. They will inform you about any denied passport issuances if appropriate court orders are on file with the CPIAP. For further details, consult the Office of International Parental Child Abduction.

Rush Hour – When You Need a Passport Immediately

If you’re in urgent need of a passport, be prepared to show that you are leaving within two weeks of your application. Bring your tickets along with all the necessary documents and cash to your local passport center. You will need to fill out the application on site, sign it, and pay an additional $60 Expedite Fee. You must pick it up in person or request expedited overnight delivery for an additional charge.

If you prefer not to handle this on your own, there are professional expediters available for a fee that may be several hundred dollars (beyond the regular passport fees). Companies like It’s Easy Passport can guide you through the required paperwork and manage the process, providing you peace of mind.

Passport and visa expediters take care of the forms, submit your documents, wait in line, and deliver them, often within 24-48 hours. Their services are particularly useful for:

1. Last-minute travelers.
2. Those needing a renewal that expires within 6 months (as many countries consider this unacceptable).
3. Anyone needing international visas without easy access to a consulate or embassy.

Fastport Passport, a family-run company based in Brooklyn, is one option we’ve partnered with. National companies include Passport Plus Visas and A. Briggs Passport Plus.

Also read: Air Travel Tips To Ease Family Vacation Hassles

Confused by All This Passport Information?

For Spanish-language guidance on applying for a U.S. passport, application fees, and additional travel information, visit Travel.State.Gov/Pasaporte.

For further assistance, you can reach the National Passport Information Center’s toll-free help line at 877/487-2778. English and Spanish-speaking operators are available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, EST. TDD/TTY users can call 888/874-7793; 24/7 recorded assistance is available on both lines.

Additionally, the NPIC claims they will respond to email inquiries sent to [email protected] within two business days. Please let us know if that proves to be useful. Safe travels!

FAQ

1. Can I renew my U.S. passport if it’s expired?

Yes, you can renew your passport if it expired within the last 15 years. Additionally, you must have been at least 16 years old when the passport was issued. You can renew online or by mail using the DS-82 form. If your passport expired more than 15 years ago, you will need to apply for a new passport in person using the DS-11 form.

2. What is the validity period of a U.S. passport?

For adults aged 16 and older, passports are valid for 10 years. For children under 16, passports are valid for 5 years. Be sure to renew your passport before it expires if you plan any international travel.

3. How can I expedite my U.S. passport application?

You can expedite your application by paying an additional fee and selecting expedited processing when you submit your application. This option reduces the processing time to approximately 2-3 weeks for routine service. You can also expedite the return mailing of your passport.