Respond to a Letter or Email

Your previously-issued passport is still valid. 

• If you locate this passport, please submit it so we can issue a new one. We do not issue a refund if you find your valid passport.
• If you lost your passport, please submit a Form DS-64 if you applied on a Form DS-11.
• If you applied on a Form DS-82, you will need to re-apply on a Form DS-11.

Double check the Social Security number on your passport application is correct and complete. If you are applying for your child, make sure you do not list your number on your child’s application.  

Federal law requires that you provide your Social Security number, if you have one. 

If you have never been issued a Social Security number, submit a signed and dated statement. You must include the statement with the application, and include this text: 

• “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct:  I (or my child) have never been issued a social security number by the Social Security Administration.” 
• If you do not provide your Social Security number, you be subject to a $500 penalty enforced by the Internal Revenue Service. (26 U.S.C. 6039E).  
• Contact the Social Security Administration for information about getting a social security number and card. 

Review our photo requirements. Make sure your new photo meets these requirements before sending it to us. 

If a person who is not the parent or guardian applied in person for the child’s passport (for example, a grandparent), please submit:  

• A notarized statement from both parents and guardians giving the person permission to apply for the child. Include a photocopy of the front and back of the photo IDs for both parents or guardians. 
• If the statement is from only 1 parent or guardian, you must also show proof that that parent or guardian has sole custody of the child. 
• If a third party is applying for the child, a Form DS-3053 from both parents is acceptable. 
• Submit notarized statements within 90 days of being signed.  

If a child is in foster care or in custody of child protective services, then the foster parent or child protective services officer must provide documents from the appropriate local or state agency. These documents include: 

• A copy of the court order placing the minor in foster or protective custody with the applying foster parent(s) or local state agency. The court order must clearly state there are no restrictions on issuing a U.S. passport. The order must be valid with no pending or upcoming action.  
• A letter from the local or state placement agency on agency letterhead that names the foster parents or child protective service employee applying for the child and authorizes them to assist the child in applying for the passport.  
  • Employee identification of the child protective services employee writing the letter and state issued and employee identification for the employee applying with the child. 

When you renew by mail, an intake facility reviews your application and supporting documents. Then, processing starts at a passport agency or center. 

If you did not complete the application or provide all supporting documents, the intake facility may send you a letter. Follow the instructions in the letter. The letter may include a QR code with a link to Renew by Mail. You must include the letter we sent you when you send the new application.  

Common reasons for getting this letter include: 

• Missing signature or date on your form
• Missing or bad photo 
• Missing pages from your form  
• Wrong or missing fees 
• Missing most recent passport  
• Most recent passport issued over 15 years ago 
• You are not eligible to renew and must apply in person 

When you applied in person, you had to show the acceptance agent a photo ID. If you received a letter or email asking for more identification, send us photo ID and include a photocopy of the front and back of the ID.  

If you or your child were born outside the United States and got U.S. citizenship through the naturalization of your parents, visit Get Citizenship Evidence for a U.S. Passport for more information on required documents.  

• Visit U.S. Citizenship Laws and Policy for more information. 
• If you were born outside the United States and got your citizenship after you were adopted, please visit Child Citizenship Act for more information. 

Form DS-5513, Supplemental Questionnaire to Determine Entitlement for a Passport is a special form we may ask you to complete if we need more information about your U.S. citizenship. Form DS-5520, Supplemental Questionnaire to Determine Identity is a special form we may ask you to complete if we need more information about your identity.   

• We will send you a letter or email with instructions on how to complete these forms. 
• We recommend you complete the fillable PDF form on your desktop computer, print it out, and return it by mail to us.  
• You may also complete the form in black ink.