FAQ

The U.S. government wants to see proof that you are leaving the country within the next two to three weeks.  They are more than willing to process your passport application very quickly as long as you have a real travel situation that warrants it being done quickly. 

The two types of “Proof of Travel” are the following:

1)  A flight itinerary from an airline or a travel agent showing you as the passenger and showing the international flight information.  A photocopy of this itinerary is sufficient.

2)  Company Letter of Expedite – this letter is to be typed on company letterhead and is intended for business travelers that have not yet booked their air ticket, but now that they will be departing the country on a specific day.  Please see this sample “Company Letter of Expedite“.

Do I need a Certified Birth Certificate?

Yes! You need a certified birth certificate, original naturalization certificate or recently expired passport. One of these documents is required in order to apply for a U.S. Passport.

What is a certified birth certificate?

A certified birth certificate has a registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. Please note that some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes. You can obtain a new certificate by contacting the state Dept. of Vital Records/Health Services or the county of your birth.

What do you mean by “long-form” birth certificate?

This birth certificate contains all relevant birth information including: 1) Mother’s name and age at time of birth 2) Father’s name and age at time of birth 3) Filing date and number 4) Hospital of birth (perhaps). If any of this information is missing, you probably do not have a valid birth certificate.

Are photocopies of my birth certificate or naturalization certificate accepted?

Absolutely NOT!

Will I get my birth certificate back?

Yes! It will be sent to you with your new passport.

I refuse to send my original birth certificate.

Then you don’t get a passport.

Where can I get a replacement birth certificate?

Copy/paste the link below get you started! http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm

Are hospital-issued birth certificates acceptable?

No. You must obtain a certified birth certificate from the county/state of birth.

What, exactly, is a Passport Acceptance Agent?

These are offices designated by the Dept. of State Passport Service to accept and pre-process your passport application. They basically serve to verify your identity in order combat the issuance of fraudulent passports. According to Federal Regulation, if you are applying for a new/lost/replacement passport, you must visit an Acceptance Agent to properly process your DS-11 application.

How do I make sure they are doing their job correctly?

The Post Office or County Clerk Acceptance Agent must include your certified copy/original document proving your USA citizenship. This original must be included, NOT A PHOTOCOPY. If they fail to do this, please do yourself a favor: go to another processing facility.

Where is the nearest Passport Acceptance Agent?

Paste the link below in your web browser: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/DefaultForm.aspx

Can I call you while getting my Passport Application initially processed?

Absolutely! We will try to answer your phone call as best we can.

When do I pay the Passport Acceptance Agent fee?

You pay the $25 directly to the agent once they have sealed your security envelope.

How do I know my photos are acceptable?

Here are the common problems: 1) Pictures are too dark, murky or hazy. 2) Not on a white or light colored background. 3) You are wearing that really cool cap/hat/lid/chapeau/hooded sweatshirt/headband. Unless you are wearing a headcovering for religious reasons only (strummel, hijab, etc.), your head must be bare.

I have an infant. What’s the best way to take their photo?

Here are some rules/hints we have run across in experience: 1) The child’s eyes must be open and facing the camera. 2) No part of your body must be visible in the photo. 3) The child cannot be shown crying (we know, tall order here!). HINT: Buy a brand new white bedsheet at Target or Bed, Bath & Beyond or wherever you buy sheets. Lay the child on the floor and take the picture from above. HINT: Be patient.

Can I make my own photos on my home system?

Sure. Just be sure to make your photos 2″ x 2″ and they must be printed on photo paper. These photos must be color, taken with your head on a white/very light background and try to minimize flash reflection off your glasses (if worn).

What if one parent cannot be present?

The non-appearing parent must fill out FORM DS-3053, which is PART 3 of the Child Passport print outs on our website. That form DS-3053 must be filled out and notarized by the non-present parent. The non-appearing parent must also provide a copy of their current government-issued photo ID.

What if the non-appearing parent cannot be located?

You must type out a statement relating this situation to the Passport Agency. You must provide the following information: 1) Last known contact with the non-appearing parent. 2) Last known address of the non-appearing parent. 3) Birthplace and birthdate of the non-appearing parent (if you do not know, estimate to the best of your knowledge). 4) Explanation of attempts to reach said non-appearing parent. 5) A sentence (or two) explaining why you are taking the child out of the country. 6) Your contact information.

If my child is 13 and under, do both parents need to take the child to the Passport Acceptance Agent?

Yes. No exceptions unless you have the ORIGINAL, notarized DS-3053 (Statement of Parental Consent) to accompany the child’s application.

If my child is 14 or 15, do both parents need to take the child to the Passport Acceptance Agent?

Yes, both parents still need to accompany the child

What’s the deal about parental ID?

If the child is under 16, both parents must include a photocopy of their government-issued ID with the passport application.

My child is 16, do both parents need to take the child to the Passport Acceptance Agent?

No. This child is now considered an adult by the Passport Agency and can sign their own application.  One parent’s ID photocopy is still required.

If you have small children (under the age of 3), it can be difficult to get the child to look straight into the camera with their eyes open.  We suggest going to get the photos in advance at a place like CVS, Costco, or Kinko’s.  Once there, if the child is very young, it often works to lay the child on the floor on top of the colored background, then have the child look up at something when the photo is taken.  Good Luck….

I am behind in my child support payments. Will this delay my passport?

No. It will DENY your issuance of a passport. No exceptions.

Who do I contact to clear my child support arrears?

Your state Dept. of Children and Family Services.

How do I pay the Government Fees?

You must include a check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of State.

How much is an adult passport?

$135 payable to the US Dept. of State.

How much is a child passport?

$120 payable to the US Dept. of State.

I thought a passport costs only $75 for me or $60 for my child?

This is true; however, in order to obtain an expedited passport (why you are here in the 1st place), you must $60 to the normal passport fee. This is a non-negotiable up-charge levied by the US Dept. of State.

Are the Urgent Passport Services fees included with the government fees?

No. Our fees are separate and in addition to any governmental fees.

Do I include the $25 fee with my passport fee in one check/money order?

No. You pay this fee separately to the Passport Acceptance Agent. Generally, cash is the best form of payment.

What do I need to include?

You must provide all the necessary documentation required by our instructions to support your passport application. This includes any or all of the following: 1) Copy of your official government issued photo ID 2) Copy of your travel itinerary 3) Signed Letter of Authorization 4) Certified copy of a marriage certificate (if renewing a passport containing your maiden name). ***Follow our instructions in detail and you will be just fine.***

I am a divorced woman. I have resumed using my former name. What do I do?

1. Your certified copy of your divorce decree MUST accompany your passport application. This will be returned to you with your new passport.
2. Your divorce decree must state that you are resuming your former name.
3. Your government issued photo ID must reflect the name you want to use on your passport. If none of these conditions are met, your application will be suspended/declined.

I have changed my name. What do I need?

You need a county-certified copy of a court order detailing your name change. This must accompany your birth certificate.

Why do I need the Letter of Authorization?

So Urgent Passport Services can submit your passport application, pick-up your completed passport and discuss your application with the Passport Agency during the process.

On what color paper should my application materials be printed?

White paper. No exceptions.

Can I fax my documents to renew/obtain my passport?

No. Original signatures are required. If you would like us to review your paperwork before you submit, please notify us as we would be happy to look them over! Confidentiality will be maintained and our fax is secure.

Can I get my passport over the phone?

No.

Does the Letter of Authorization get sealed in the “security envelope”?

YES! Please make 2 original LOAs and seal one and leave one paper clipped to the outside of the security envelope. This requirement only applies to New/Child/Lost passport applications.

I am currently on probation.

Your passport application will be denied.

I currently owe child support.

Your passport application will be denied.

I’m wanted for arrest.

Your passport application will be denied.

I am currently in prison.

Your passport application will be denied.

I have served time in prison/on probation. Will this deny my passport application?

Not necessarily. As long as you have completed your sentence and “paid your debt to society”, you will generally be issued a passport.

I have been summoned to appear in court in response to charges.

Your passport application will be denied.