Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

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1. I'm renewing my passport. Do I get the old one back? Will I get a new passport number?

Yes, in most cases when you renew by mail, we will return the old passport to you. The old passport may not arrive for up to 8 weeks after you receive your new passport. 

If you are renewing online, do not mail your old passport to us. 

We recommend keeping your old passports in a safe place. 

If your old passport is linked to a valid visa, you can still use the valid visa. You must travel with both your new and old passport in this case.

When you receive your new passport, the number on the document will be different from the number on your previous passport. 

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2. My address has changed. Do I need to update my passport?

Contact the National Passport Information Center. You do not need to contact us if your address changed after you received your passport.

 

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3. I need my passport sooner than I thought. What can I do?

You can upgrade your application from routine processing to expedited processing for an additional $60. You may also choose to add a 1-2 delivery service of your completed passport book for an additional $19.53. One-to-two day delivery is not available for passport cards. We only send cards via First Class Mail.

Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY) and ask to upgrade your application service type. You’ll need either your application number or your last name and date of birth. 

 

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4. How long is a passport valid and is it true that it needs to have at least 6 months of validity remaining?

If you were age 16 or older when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 10 years. If you were under 16 when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 5 years.

The Issue Date of your passport can be found on the data page of your passport book or on the front of your passport card.

Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. 

Check our Country Information to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.  

To learn about returning to the United States after your travel, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's website.

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5. How long does it take to get a passport?

Processing times vary depending on the time of year. See Application Processing Times for more information.

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6. How will you send my passport and supporting documents?

After we print your passport, we will send it to you and return your supporting documents. How we send your passport and supporting documents depends if you applied for a book and/or a card and if you paid for 1-2 day delivery service of your completed passport book.    

I applied for a passport book only: You may receive your newly-issued passport and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after receiving your passport before you receive a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We can send your passport book via a 1-2 day delivery service.

I applied for a passport card only: You may receive your newly-issued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after receiving your passport before you receive a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards via 1-2 day delivery services.

I applied for both a passport book and passport card: You may receive three separate mailings; one with your citizenship documents, one with your newly-issued passport book, and one with your newly-issued passport card. You may wait 8 weeks after receiving your passport book before you receive a second and third mailing with your passport card and citizenship documents.

I have been waiting more than 8 weeks and have not received my supporting documents. What should I do?

It may take 8 weeks after you receive your new passport for your supporting documents (e.g. birth certificate or previous passport) to arrive. If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to report that you have not received your documents.

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7. I am recently married or divorced. How do I change my name on my passport?

If you are changing your name within one year of the date your passport was issued, you will need to complete Form DS-5504: Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Book Replacement.   

If you are changing your name more than a year after your passport was issued, you must submit Form DS-82: Renewal Application

For more information, see How to Change or Correct a Passport.

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9. How much does a U.S. passport cost?

The cost of your U.S. passport will depend on the type of passport you request and how quickly you need it. See Passport Fees for more information on the cost of a U.S. passport book or a U.S. passport card and all associated services.

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10. What counts as the “proof of international travel” required to apply at a passport agency?

If you are flying internationally, you must provide a flight receipt or an itinerary. If you are traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean, you can provide a hotel reservation, cruise tickets, or international car insurance. 

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11. How do I get the status of my application?

Register for emails using the Online Passport Status System, and learn about what each update means on our Application Status webpage.

 

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12. I have a life or death emergency in a foreign country and need a passport. What should I do?

Go to our Life-or-Death Emergency page to see if you are eligible for an appointment at one of our passport agencies and centers. 

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13. My passport has already been issued and mailed to me, but I have not received it. What do I do?

If you have waited over two weeks since the date we updated your application status to "Passport Mailed" and you have not received your passport, contact the National Passport Information Center. Customer service representatives will help you complete a special form (known as the DS-86 form) which is a signed statement that you didn't receive your U.S. passport.

You have 90 days from the date your passport was issued to complete the DS-86 form. After 90 days, you must reapply and pay all fees.

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14. My passport has been damaged. Can I continue to use this passport?

If your passport has been significantly damaged, especially the book cover or the page displaying your personal data and photo, you will need to apply for a new passport.  Damage that might require you to replace your passport includes water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages (torn out), a hole punch, or other injuries.

Normal "wear and tear" of a U.S. passport is expected and does not count as "damage."  Normal wear includes the bend of a passport after being carried in your back pocket or fanning of the visa pages after extensive opening and closing.

If you need to replace your damaged passport, you will need to submit the following in person (See Where to Apply):

  • The damaged passport;
  • A signed statement explaining the damaged or mutilated condition of your passport book and/or card; 
  • Form DS-11; and
  • All documents required by Form DS-11, including citizenship documentation (i.e., birth certificate).
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15. How many blank visa pages do I need, and can I add pages to my passport book?

Some countries require that your passport has two to four blank visa or stamp pages. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.

You cannot add visa pages to a current passport book. If you need more pages, you must renew your passport book.

On your passport form, select the option for a "large book" so you can get a passport book with extra visa pages. 

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16. Can I use a passport to fly domestically?

Yes. The U.S. passport book and passport card are alternatives to a state-issued REAL ID and can be used for domestic flights. 

According to the Department for Homeland Security, residents of all states will soon have to use a Real ID compliant ID for domestic air travel. Not sure if your state’s driver’s license and ID are Real ID compliant? Check your state’s status. For a complete list of acceptable forms of identification to fly domestically visit REAL ID

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17. Can I get a second passport book?

Yes, but only if you have a valid U.S. passport book and you meet several additional requirements. Learn more to see if you are eligible.

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18. I got a letter in the mail or an email about my application. What should I do?

We sent you a letter or email because we need more information from you to continue processing your passport. Go to our Respond to a Letter or Email page for more information.

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19. How do I make an appointment at a passport agency or center?

Go to our Passport Agency and Center page to see if you eligible for an appointment, and to learn how to make one.

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20. Who should have a valid U.S. passport?

You should have a U.S. passport if: 

  • You have family living or traveling abroad,
  • You are thinking about a vacation abroad, or
  • You have a job that could require international travel.
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21. My new passport book has a QR code sticker on the back. What is it for?

We are placing Quick Response (QR) code stickers on the back of passport books to give you easy access to important passport and travel information.

  • You may remove the sticker, though we recommend keeping it on so you have quick and easy access to our website.
  • If you scan the code using the camera on your mobile device, it will link you to our website. If you do not wish to scan the code, you can also access the After I Get My Passport webpage.
  • The QR code is the same on all passport books, does not contain any personally identifiable information, nor does it change the way border officials, airlines, and others review your document.
  • We are not currently placing QR code stickers on passport cards. 
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This is an image of the QR code sticker that is placed on new U.S. passport books.
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22. What is the next generation passport book?

The next generation passport book has a polycarbonate, multi-layered plastic, data page, and the passport number, which includes both letters and numbers.

Passport books have a small integrated circuit (or “chip”) in the back cover.  

The chip securely stores:

  • The same information visually displayed on the photo page of the passport,
  • A biometric identifier in the form of a digital image of the passport photograph, which facilitates the use of facial recognition technology at ports-of-entry,
  • The unique chip identification number, and
  • A digital signature to protect the stored data from alteration.

If the chip fails, the passport remains a valid travel document until its expiration date. You will continue to be processed by the port-of-entry officer as if you had a passport without a chip.

 

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23. What is the difference between an application fee and an execution fee?

When you apply for the first time or when you apply for your child, you pay both an application and execution fee. You always pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State. You pay the execution (or acceptance) fee to the passport acceptance facility which takes your application.

These acceptance facilities include libraries, local government offices, and post offices that need to collect a fee to pay for the services they offer to customers. The execution (or acceptance) fee reimburses the acceptance facility.

When you renew your passport as an adult, you only pay an application fee to the U.S. Department of State. You do not pay an execution fee.

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24. I received an email or text message from the U.S. Department of State that I did not ask for. How can I tell if this is legitimate?

We are sending emails and SMS text messages to some customers. The emails and text messages will include links that take you directly to our website. Use the information below to confirm the email or text message is from us. 

Emails

The emails may include a reminder to renew your passport from USPassportRenewal@state.gov, or a request to participate in an optional survey from noreply@qemailserver.com after you have applied for a passport.  

If you get an email from USPassportRenewal@state.gov, the subject line of the email will be "Act Now - Renew Your U.S. Passport!" or "Act Now - Renew Your Child's Passport!"

If you get an email from noreply@qemailserver.com, the subject line of the email will be "Your Recent Passport Application - We want to hear from you."

Text messages

We are sending SMS text messages to a limited number of customers who have passports expiring in the next year, and customers who are in the process of applying for a passport. The message will appear in your phone's SMS text app from 1-888-904-6435 and will begin with "Passport Services - U.S. Department of State." 

Children (Under 16)

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1. What do I do if my child is too young to sign his or her passport book?

On a passport for a child under 16, a parent should print the child's full name on the signature line. The parent should also sign their name next to the printed name of their child, and note their relation to their child (example: mother, father, or guardian).

How to sign a child's passport
Example of how to sign a child's passport
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2. Does a minor under 16 need to have parental or legal guardian consent when applying for a passport?

Yes. For a complete explanation of Parental Consent for a Minor's passport application go to Children Under 16.

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3. How do I renew my child's passport?

You cannot renew your child's passport. If your child is under age 16, your child must appear in person with you and the child's other parent or guardian to apply. A child's application must be submitted in person at a passport agency or an acceptance facility.  

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4. What is the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP)?

Parents may enroll their U.S. citizen children under the age of 18 in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP), one of the Department of State’s most important tools for preventing international parental child abduction.  If a passport application is submitted for a child who is enrolled in CPIAP, the Department attempts to alert the parent or parents to verify whether the parents approve passport issuance.

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5. My child's address has changed. Do I need to update his or her passport?

If the mailing address you provided on your child's application has changed and you're waiting for his or her U.S. passport book, passport card, or return of citizenship evidence documents, please contact the National Passport Information Center. You do not need to contact us if your child's address changed after you received their passport. When completing your child's passport application, we recommend you add your name in the “In Care Of” part of the Mailing Address section on Form DS-11. 

Social Security Number Requirement

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1. Do I have to provide my social security number on my passport application?

Yes. 22 U.S.C. 2714a and 22 C.F.R 51.60(f) requires you to provide your social security number, if you have one.

If you fail to provide the information, you will encounter a delay in processing and/or denial of your passport application. You will also be subject to a $500 penalty enforced by the Internal Revenue Service. (26 U.S.C. 6039E). 

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2. What if I or my children don’t have a social security number?

If you don’t have a social security number, you will need to submit a statement, signed and dated, which includes the phrase, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct:  I have never been issued a Social Security number by the Social Security Administration.”

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3. What if I can’t remember my social security number or my child's number?

If you submit an application for a U.S. passport and do not provide a Social Security number, you will encounter a delay with the processing and/or denial of your passport application. Contact the Social Security Administration for information about obtaining a new or replacement Social Security number and card.

U.S. Passport Card

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1. What is the passport card?

The passport card is the wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border-crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

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2. Why can’t I use the passport card to fly to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda?

The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international travel by air.

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4. How do I apply for a passport card?

You use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport book (DS-11 or DS-82). There is a checkbox on the form for you to indicate that you are applying for a passport card.

If you already have a passport book and you are eligible to use Form DS-82 (renewal by mail), you may apply for a passport card using DS-82 even if this is your first passport card. Otherwise you will need to use form DS-11 to apply for a passport card.

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5. Can I apply for the passport card and passport book at the same time using the same application?

Yes, simply check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products.

If you already have a passport book and are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for your new passport card by mail using Form DS-82. You may renew your passport book at the same time using the same form.

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6. How much does the passport card cost?

The cost of your U.S. passport will depend on the type of passport you request and how quickly you need it. See Passport Fees for more details.

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7. How long will it take to receive a passport card?

See Processing Times. The processing time for the passport card is the same as for the passport book.  Please note: passport cards are sent to you via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using a 1-2 day delivery service.

Birth Documentation and Copies of Passport Records

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2. What do I do if there is no birth record for me on file anywhere?

If you were born in the United States, you will need to provide several different documents to us:

  • A letter of no record issued from the vital statistics office of the state of your birth with your name and what years were searched for your birth record.
  • Early public records to prove your birth in the United States. 

If you were born outside the United States and your U.S. parent(s) did not register your birth at the U.S. embassy or consulate, you may apply for a U.S. passport. You will need:

  • Your foreign birth certificate showing both of your parents' names
  • Evidence of your parent(s) U.S. citizenship and
  • Your parents' marriage certificate

To learn more, visit our Citizenship Evidence page.

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4. How do I replace or change my Consular Report of Birth Abroad?

If your Consular Report of Birth Abroad is lost, damaged, or you need to amend it, learn how to Request a Replacement.

Last Updated: March 27, 2024