Passport in USA
A passport is an
internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity
and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to
enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of
State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.
New Application for a U.S.
Passport
To obtain a passport
for the first time, you need to go in person to one of over 9,000 passport
acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two
photographs (want to find place to get best
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of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as
a driver’s license.
Acceptance facilities
include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public
libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also
13 regional passport agencies, and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve
customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign
visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.
You’ll need to apply
in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time:
if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous
U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if
your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or
if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.
For more information
on getting a new passport, please visit US Passport Service's officialHow
to get a passport page.
Click here to find
out how
to get passport quickly
Renewal of a U.S. Passport
You can renew by
mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is
not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you
were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or
can legally document your name change.
You can get a passport
renewal application form by downloading it from this site.
If your passport
has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply
in person.
For more information
on how to renew a passport, please visit US Passport Service's official
How
to renew a passport page.