The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
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March 2011

Apply for a U.S. Passport - Frequently Asked Questions

I have an expired (or soon-to-expire) passport. Can I renew it?

If possible, you should renew your passport approximately nine (9) months before it expires. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six (6) months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.

If you are renewing an adult passport you might be able to apply by mail with a Form DS-82 (Application for a Passport By Mail). The expired or soon-to-expire passport must be an adult passport, undamaged, issued within the last 15 years and issued in the same name (or the name change can be documented). If those requirements can be met, you do not need to visit an acceptance agency. The Library is willing, however, to review your materials as a courtesy but an execution fee cannot be charged for this service and so applicants must mail their own renewals.

If you cannot meet the above criteria a new DS-11 application must be submitted. In all cases, your previous passport must be submitted with your new application. If the previous passport is not available a DS-64 (Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport) should be filled out and submitted. Invalidated passports will be returned to applicants in a separate mailing.

As far as minors (below 18) are concerned, a new DS-11 must always be submitted in person for a renewal. Please note that the minor applicant’s birth certificate is required in addition to the previous passport. If that passport cannot be located, a form DS-64 is required.

See the State Department website for information concerning fees.

How can I get a replacement for a lost or stolen passport?

To replace a lost or stolen passport, complete Form DS-11 and DS-64. Follow the instructions on the Department of State webpage. This should be done at any time, whether or not the passport is expired.

See the State Department website for information concerning fees.

How long does it take to process my passport?

Current times are posted on the State Department website. Expedited service is available for an extra fee: see “How To Get Your Passport In A Hurry.” Express (overnight) Mail is another option, but note that while applications for Passport books and/or cards can be mailed from the Library to the Passport Agency using Express Mail, only processed Passport books can be mailed that way back to applicants. Processed cards are mailed to applicants only via first class mail. Weekend applications are mailed from the Library on Mondays.

I have an emergency and need a passport very quickly. What can be done?

A main option is to solicit the services of a “third-part expeditor;” see "Passport & Visa Services" or related headings in the Yellow Pages or online; an important web resource is the National Association of Passport and Visa Services. If you use an expeditor you still must come to the Library (or another acceptance agency); alert Library staff about this so that an hour-long appointment can be arranged. A visit to a Regional Passport Agency can also be considered. In extreme circumstances the office of your Congressional representative might be of assistance. Contact the National Passport Information Center and the staff there will advise you. There is no charge for this call.

Where can I get information about the status of my application?

Status information is available either online or via phone through the National Passport Information Center.

Can I get a passport for my child?

For all children under age 16:

For Children ages 16 and 17

For more information (including information about special circumstances such as adoption), see “Minors Under Age 16” or “Special Requirements For All Minors Age 16 and 17.

See the State Department website for information concerning fees.

Where can I get a copy of my birth certificate?

Your original birth certificate should have been officially filed within a year of the birth date; alternatively, later certified copies can be submitted. The submitted birth certificate will be returned to the applicant in a mailing that probably will be separate from that of the passport itself. If you were born in the U.S. but do not have a certified copy of your birth certificate, contact the agency which holds your birth record:

It is suggested that you first call the relevant agency to confirm that your record is available.

Where can I get my passport photo taken?

The Public Library does not offer photograph services. Some application acceptance agencies have photo facilities; availability can be ascertained via the Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page. In addition, passport photo services are available at many local businesses including many FedEx Office stores (Kinko’s), Olan Mills (in some Meijers, Kmart’s), AAA, Sears Portrait Studios, CVS, Costco, Sam’s and Walgreens locations. Call ahead for availability. Vending machine or certain digital photos are not acceptable. The State Department’s Quality Requirements offer more guidelines.

What forms of payment are accepted?

Credits cards cannot be used, nor can "starter checks" (checks that have not been personalized). The State Department accepts checks (personal, certified, cashiers, travelers) or money orders (U.S. Postal, international, currency exchanges) and bank drafts, all payable to "Department of State". Please note that the same "execution fee" is paid to all postal and non-postal acceptance facilities. An application for both a passport book and a passport card requires only one $25 execution fee.

See the State Department website for information concerning fees.

What if my name has changed? What if there's been a printing error on my passport?

The name on your passport should match your evidence of identity and citizenship. To have your name changed on a replacement passport, you must submit the current passport, the original marriage certificate (not a marriage license) or divorce decree or a certified copy of the court decree substantiating the name change and a completed Form DS-5504 (Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Replacement).

Applicants who apply for a passport shortly before being married must apply in their present name. After the marriage the passport may later be replaced at no charge to show the new married surname. If more than one year has passed since the date of issue of the current passport you must submit Form DS-82 (Application for a U.S. Passport By Mail) or, if necessary, a DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport) and pay the applicable fees. See Change Your Name in Your U.S. Passport and Change or Correct Passport for further information on name or other changes.

What if the name on my passport doesn’t match the name in which I’ve purchased my airline tickets?

It is ultimately the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that the name provided when booking travel matches the government ID or IDs that will be used when traveling. Discrepancies at the airport may result in missed flights and/or the imposition of standard change fees. Airline reservation agents will routinely address this requirement with their customers; however, travelers should attend to this when reservations are made via websites or travel agents.

The best strategy is to have every current document match across the board. This includes one’s passport and driver’s or state IDs. Importantly, such identity documents should be valid for all legs of one’s travel itinerary. In other words, if a traveler’s driver’s license is not expired as he/she leaves but will expire during the course of the trip, this could cause significant problems.

Honeymooning travelers should contact their airline to clarify their requirements. Generally, however, newlyweds are able to travel with a passport containing the maiden name as long as a copy of the marriage certificate (displaying the name on the ticket) is presented to the airline at the time of travel.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

There are special rules concerning groups of children and “closed loop” cruises (see the Special Groups page on the WHTI website). Passports are not required for travel to U.S. territories or waters (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, etc).

Visas

Passport application acceptance agencies do not handle visas. A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed by officials of a foreign country on a U.S. passport that allows the bearer to visit that foreign country. See the State Department's Country Specific Information for the foreign entry requirements of your destination countries. Visas are obtained through consular offices. Sometimes an application for a passport should be expedited in consideration of the need to secure visa(s).Travel agents, who can advise you about this, sometimes will handle visa requirements for travelers.

Still have questions?

Please consult two valuable State Department resources: Frequently Asked Questions and Country Specific Information.