us passports & international travel

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Visa requirements for U.S. citizens traveling abroad

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel outside the U.S., you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements.

While not all countries require visas for American travelers, many do. Look up your destination using the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool . On the country’s information page, you will find entry, exit, and visa requirements. You will also find travel advisories and a link to the country’s embassy.

LAST UPDATED: May 15, 2024

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The Guide to Different Types of U.S. Passports

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Table of Contents

Regular passports

Official passports, diplomatic passports, service passports, passport cards, passport types in the u.s., recapped.

If you thought all U.S. passports were the same, think again. There are actually five types of U.S. passports, but the majority of passport holders will have just one. The most common type of passport is a regular passport, which most U.S. citizens can apply for, although less than half of U.S. citizens have one.

While most qualify only for a regular passport, it may be helpful to know what other types of U.S. passport options are out there. Perhaps one day, you’ll become a diplomat or hold an official government or volunteer job where you can acquire one for free.

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This passport is the navy blue standard that is used for most types of travel. If you are studying abroad, taking a family vacation or traveling for work, you'll likely carry this type of passport.

The standard option includes 28 pages, but for those that travel frequently, it is possible to request a double book with 52 pages.

To apply for this type of passport, typically called a Type P passport , applicants must provide original or certified proof of U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate) as well as a passport-size photo and photo identification.

These passports are valid for 10 years for most. For those who apply under age 16, these books are only valid for five years.

If you have changed your name (due to marriage or divorce, for example), additional documentation may be required.

U.S. nationals, those born in American Samoa or those born on Swain Island, are also eligible for this passport.

While it can take typically between six and nine weeks to get a U.S. passport, there are faster ways to get one. Applicants can use an official passport office to apply and pay for expedited service or use an independent expeditor service that handles much of the formality on the traveler’s behalf (although for a higher fee).

There is a subset of regular passport types that are issued for no fee. These are valid for five years and available to employees of the American National Red Cross, Peace Corps volunteers and members of the Department of Defense.

» Learn more: Need a passport for a trip? Give yourself a big time cushion

For those who qualify, an official passport is meant for those who work for the U.S. government and travel on official business. If approved by the Department of State, the main passport holder can also request official passports for a spouse and immediate family members.

To apply for this type of passport, applicants must go through the Special Passport Issuance Agency. While there is no fee required for this type of passport, appropriate documentation for eligibility must be shown.

These passports have the words Official Passport on a maroon cover to help them stand out from the rest. Unlike regular passports, these are only valid for five years and can only be used for official government business. A personal or leisure trip is not eligible.

Foreign service officers or those performing diplomatic duties on behalf of the United States overseas are eligible for this passport. A diplomatic passport, with a black cover, is only eligible to be used when on diplomatic business, which is why these passport holders almost always have a second regular passport to use when not serving in a U.S. diplomatic role.

These can only be used when on diplomatic missions, which are subsidized by the U.S. government. Valid only for five years, these passports require eligible documentation proving the applicant’s diplomatic role as well as a copy of official orders from their assigned post. These passports are issued without charge but must be returned upon completion of diplomatic duties.

Another of the rarer passport types is the service passport, which has a gray cover and is issued to third-party government contractors traveling to the United States on official business. They would apply for this passport type if they are ineligible to travel using their own regular passport. This is only valid for five years.

These are available with a regular passport application for an additional fee, but as the name suggests, they come in the form of an identification card rather than a book. These can be used as official identification, but also for land border crossings into the United States and Mexico.

These are especially helpful for those who live in the U.S. but travel across the border frequently for work or other purposes. Using a passport book to cross the border would quickly fill with stamps, which is why this option is more expeditious.

It is also eligible for sea travel to the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. If you like to travel often by cruise, this can be an excellent solution without worrying about filling up your passport book.

Passport cards have the same eligibility requirements as a regular passport book. They are eligible for 10 years for adults ($30) and five years for those under 16 ($15).

» Learn more: Key differences between passport cards and passports

The next time you are in line at a U.S. immigration point, take a look at the passports around you. Not everyone has Global Entry or uses Mobile Passport . And not everyone has the same color passport cover as other U.S. citizens. When you spot one with a different color, you now have a bit more insight into the type of work that person (or one of their family members) does.

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The Six Month Validity Rule for U.S. Passports - List of Countries

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Click for reliable expedited passport courier service .

The list is organized by continents with countries listed in alphabetical order. Be aware that many of the countries on the list also require a visa for entry.

Europe is absent from this list. Due to stricter border controls in many European countries, the US State Department recommends that American citizens traveling to the countries in the Schengen Area should have a passport with six months of remaining validity. That said, the official requirement is only three months validity . While the rules for entering the countries that are a part of the Schengen Agreement are slated to change with the introduction of the ETIAS visa waiver program in 2025, this is not expected to change the required amount of passport validity required for entry.

For more, check out our complete guide to Africa Travel Document Requirements

For more, check out our complete guide to Asia Travel Document Requirements

North America

South america, top 5 questions about expedited passport couriers.

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry? 2. What exactly does a passport expediter do? 3. Are passport expediting services legitimate? 4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor? 5. Is expedited passport service worth it?

Get the Latest Updates

Need a passport in a hurry? It’ll soon be easier if you live in one of these US cities.

• The State Department will open six new passport agencies to assist those with “urgent travel needs.”
• The new agencies will bring the total number to 35.
• The State Department did not share addresses or opening dates for the new facilities.

Travelers in a rush to get a passport will soon have more options.

The State Department will open six new passport agencies to assist those with “urgent travel needs,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday. The new facilities will be in these cities:

• Salt Lake City
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Orlando, Florida
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• San Antonio, Texas

Passport agencies and centers serve “customers by appointment only who have urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days, or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days,” according to the State Department’s website . The new agencies will bring the total number to 35.

“While we undertake steps to establish these new agencies, we are issuing more passports than ever before while maintaining our passport processing times at our pre-pandemic levels,” Blinken said in a news release . “We thank Congress for its partnership and support, and we look forward to working with our congressional partners and other stakeholders to open these new facilities.”

Learn more: Best travel insurance

The State Department did not share addresses or opening dates for the new facilities. “We are in the initial stages of planning for these additional facilities and will provide updates in the future about specific locations and timelines for these new agencies,” a spokesperson told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

The world's most powerful passports: See where the US ranks

Travelers can find a map of passport agencies and centers online. There are also more than 7,000 acceptance facilities – such as post offices – where those who don’t need urgent service can apply.

The news comes after the State Department opened a trial for online passport renewal earlier this month.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Getting A Passport In A Hurry Is About To Become Easier

The State Department just announced six new passport agencies, bringing the total number to 35 nationwide. That’s not counting 7,400 post offices and libraries that accept passport applications.

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Need a passport in a jiffy? It's about to get easier.

W ith the summer travel season heating up, the U.S. State Department is making it easier to get a passport in a hurry.

This month, the State Department quietly opened a trial for online passport renewal and announced it will open six new passport agencies, bringing the total number of passport agencies and centers to 35 nationwide, not counting the over 7,400 public institutions like post offices and libraries that double as passport acceptance facilities throughout the United States. More than 99% of Americans already live within 25 miles of an acceptance facility.

The new agencies will open in Charlotte, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Orlando, Salt Lake City and San Antonio. No timeline has been provided regarding the opening of the new facilities. A State Department spokesperson told Forbes in an emailed statement that the agency was “in the initial stages of planning for these additional facilities.”

“Utah is experiencing rapid population growth as it becomes a center for global commerce and tourism—as well as home base to thousands of Latter-day Saints who embark on worldwide religious missions each year,” said Utah Senator Mitt Romney in a statement, noting that he’s been pushing for a passport agency in Utah for three years. “I could not be more thrilled.”

These new passport agencies will be different from ordinary acceptance facilities in several ways. Think of them as the emergency fast track, providing same-day services to those with “urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days, or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days,” per the State Department’s website .

Unlike acceptance facilities, which take walk-ins, you need an appointment to enter a passport agency building. You must show printed proof—flight, cruise or hotel reservation, for example—that you have an international trip planned within two weeks. In addition, you’ll pay the $60 expedite fee on top of the normal application fees.

News of the new passport agencies comes as demand for international travel is at an all-time high. Today 48% of Americans hold passports, compared to just 5% in 1990, according to the State Department. Last year, the U.S. issued a record-breaking 24 million passport books and cards—a 78% jump from just a decade earlier.

In the first five months of 2024, Americans made 28.2 million international trips, according to data from the National Travel & Tourism Office (NTTO), the agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that tracks tourism statistics. That’s an 11% jump from the 25.4 million trips taken to foreign countries last year during the same period.

During the height of the Covid pandemic, the wait time for a new passport grew as long as 18 weeks. Even last year, the turnaround time was eight to 11 weeks for a standard passport renewal. Today the backlog is gone, with current wait times back to pre-pandemic norms: six to eight weeks for standard service and expedited service of the little blue book in as little as two weeks.

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Traveling Abroad? This Passport Mistake Could Cost You Hundreds

Y ou need a passport to travel to most countries outside the United States. Adult American passports are valid for 10 years. However, many international destinations require travelers to have passports with at least six months of validity left before they travel.

If you book airline tickets and don't check the expiration date, you could face a stressful situation in the days or weeks leading up to your trip departure date. You could also lose money on prepaid travel costs if you can't travel as planned. Here's what you need to know.

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Be prepared for international travel to avoid losing money

So, you recently booked airline tickets for an upcoming vacation to another country? That's fantastic news. It can be so exciting to explore a new-to-you international destination. But don't forget to look at your passport before planning the ins and outs of your itinerary to ensure your passport isn't expiring soon.

Even if you have a few months left, you'll want to confirm the expiration date to ensure you won't need to renew your passport before departing. Many destinations require international travelers to have a passport with at least six months of validity. If you're headed somewhere that requires this and your passport is valid for less time, you won't be able to visit.

Many airlines alert travelers to this in advance if they enter their passport details when booking their tickets or shortly after buying them. But if you wait until check-in to add your passport details, you may find out too late that you won't be boarding the plane as planned.

As part of your trip-planning process, review passport and visa requirements BEFORE booking airfare, accommodations, or other travel reservations. Doing this can help you avoid losing money on prepaid travel expenses.

How to research destination requirements

If you're planning a trip abroad, you can easily review passport requirements and visa requirements for the destination you're planning to visit. The best way to get accurate and up-to-date information is to visit the U.S. Department of State website.

You can search for your destination and review the requirements. You can check out passport details, learn whether a visa is required, and find other information, such as whether it's recommended or required to get certain vaccinations before traveling.

If you need to renew your passport or obtain a visa to travel to your vacation destination, budget accordingly to ensure you can afford these additional travel costs. You don't want to stress about your finances while on vacation because you didn't plan ahead to cover your expenses.

Allow plenty of time for passport renewal

Finally, if you need to renew your passport before your next trip, allow extra time for processing. The U.S. Department of State website provides the current estimated processing times for new passport applicants and passport renewals. You can pay additional fees for expedited service. Remember, these are only estimates, so plan accordingly and allow extra time to play it safe.

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Traveling soon? You can now renew your passport online, here's how it works

Current processing time for a routine passport renewal is six to eight weeks.

By Associated Press • Published June 13, 2024 • Updated on June 13, 2024 at 5:27 pm

There's an easier way to renew your passport — online.

The State Department has opened a trial run allowing a limited number of people to apply for their updated travel documents with a few clicks. You can't just start anytime — windows will open at midday Eastern time each day and then close once the system has reached its daily limit.

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The department says it's taking it slow so it can monitor how the system is working. There are also a series of requirements to meet to be able to apply online, including:

• You're 25 or older.
• You're renewing a passport issued between 2009 and 2015.
• You aren't changing any personal information.
• You won't travel overseas for at least eight weeks after you apply.

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There are plenty of other criteria on the State Department's travel website , where you have to create an account to renew online. Expedited service still has to be done by mail.

It comes after travelers faced massive wait times to renew their documents amid a backlog blamed on lingering pandemic effects like staffing shortages and a pause in online processing last year that flooded the agency with applications.

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You can get your passport renewed online again. Here's how it works

Jonathan Franklin

The cover of a U.S. Passport is displayed in Tigard, Ore., Dec. 11, 2021. Jenny Kane/AP hide caption

Paging all U.S. travelers (and introverts) — you may not need to make that trip in person to renew your passport after all.

The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday it is bringing back a trial service to renew your passport online, saying it will open the system for all online renewals soon.

As of now, the rollout for online passport renewals is restricted to certain times. Beginning during midday Eastern time, the State Department will accept a limited number of applications. Once the portal has reached its daily limit, it will close until the next day, according to the agency.

Canceled trips and no refunds: Passport delays are derailing travelers

In order to qualify for an online passport renewal, applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens and residents ages 25 and older who have already had an existing passport for 10 years; the passport must still be in the applicant’s possession (and not previously reported lost or stolen. It can, however, be expired.)
• Not be changing their name, gender, date of birth or place of birth for the new passport.
• Live in a U.S. state or territory.
• Be applying for a regular tourist passport.
• Be able to upload a recent digital photo.
• Be able to pay the renewal fee online with either a debit or credit card.

Delays in passport renewals are putting a damper in Americans' summer travel plans

The State Department says those who are not eligible to submit their application online — or who choose not to do so — can always submit their renewal application by mail or in person at a passport agency or center.

State Department officials added that the processing times for an online passport renewal are the same as for those who choose to renew their passport through the mail.

The U.S. State Department first rolled out its online renewal system back in 2021 through an executive order from President Biden. But after several pauses, the program was paused indefinitely in March 2023.

Last year, the State Department faced a backlog of passport renewals and many Americans experienced delays. The agency described it as an “unprecedented demand for passports.”

In 2023, the U.S. issued more than 24 million passports , a record jump from the 22 million it issued the year before.

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Global Entry

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Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States by accessing the Global Entry processing technology at selected airports .

At airports, program members proceed to the Global Entry lanes where processing technology will be used to expedite the members by capturing a photo to verify their membership. Once the photo has been captured, the member will receive on-screen instructions and proceed to a CBP officer who will confirm that you have successfully completed the process.

Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment. If a traveler was unable to schedule an interview at an Enrollment Center prior to their international travel, they have an option to complete their interview via Enrollment on Arrival upon their arrival to the United States.

Another upcoming processing technology option for travelers will be the Global Entry Mobile App. This app will enable members to validate their arrival to the U.S. on their iOS or Android device prior to entering the Federal Inspection Services area.

While Global Entry’s goal is to speed travelers through the process, members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States. Any violation of the program’s terms and conditions will result in the appropriate enforcement action and termination of the traveler’s membership privileges.

Global Entry Benefits

• No processing lines
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• Available at major U.S. airports
• Reduced wait times

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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General Questions

Children (under 16), social security number requirement, u.s. passport card, 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 renew online, keep your most recent passport and do not send it to us. 

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

The number on your new passport will be different from the number on your previous passport.

If you have Global Entry, update your  Trusted Traveler account  with your new passport information. 

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

Do not contact us if your address changed  after  you receive your passport.

Contact us only if your mailing address changed while you are waiting for your passport.

Call us at  1-877-487-2778  (or  1-888-874-7793  if you are deaf or hard of hearing)

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

Call us at  1-877-487-2778  (or  1-888-874-7793  if you are deaf or hard of hearing). You’ll need either your application number or your last name and date of birth.

• Get expedited service for $60. 
• Get 1-2 day delivery of your completed passport book for $19.53. One-to-two day delivery is not available for passport cards. We only send cards via First Class Mail.

4. Do I need 6 months of validity on my passport to travel?

If you are age 16 or older, your passport is valid for 10 years. Your child's passport (age 0-15) is valid for 5 years.

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

Check our  Country Information page  to learn how long your passport needs to be valid.  

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

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

Go to our  Processing Times page  for more information.

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

You will get multiple mailings. The number of mailings depends on what document(s) you asked for.

Passport Book : You may get your new passport and citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We will return the passport book using a trackable delivery service.

Passport Card : You may get your new passport card and your citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using 1-2 day delivery services.

Both a Passport Book and Card : You may get three separate mailings:

• New passport book
• New passport card
• Citizenship documents

Contacting Us : If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your documents, call us at  1-877-487-2778  to report that you have not received your documents. 

If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date which we mailed your passport. You will also need to provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document. 

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

For more information, go to our  Change or Correct a Passport page . 

If you are changing your name within one year of the date your passport was issued, complete  Form DS-5504 .   

If you are changing your name over a year after your passport was issued, complete  Form DS-82 . 

8. I am traveling very soon. How do I get a passport quickly?

Go to our  Get My Passport Fast page  for information on expediting your application, or making an appointment at a passport agency or center.

If you have a life-or-death emergency, go to our  Life-or-Death Emergency page  to see if you qualify for an appointment. 

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

The cost of your passport depends on how fast you need it, and if you want a passport book, passport card, or both documents.

Go to our  Passport Fees page  for more information on how much to pay, and what forms of payment we accept. 

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

Enroll in emails using the  Online Passport Status System . Learn about what each update means on our Application Status webpage .

11. 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 we mailed your passport, call us at  1-877-487-2778  (or  1-888-874-7793  if you are deaf or hard of hearing).

We 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 must complete the DS-86 form within 90 days of the date we issued your passport. After 90 days, you must reapply and pay all fees, by law.

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

If your passport is damaged, apply for a new passport. Replace your passport if there is:

• Water damage
• A significant tear
• Unofficial markings on the data page
• Missing visa pages (torn out)
• A hole punch

Do not replace your passport if there is normal "wear and tear" which includes:

• The bend of a passport after being carried in your back pocket
• Fanning of the visa pages after lots of opening and closing

If you need to replace your damaged passport, submit:

• The damaged passport;
• A signed statement explaining the damaged or mutilated condition of your passport book and/or card; 
• Form DS-11  (including supporting documents, photo, and fees)

13. 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. 

14. Can I use a passport to fly in the United States?

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 in the United States, visit REAL ID . 

15. Can I get a second passport book?

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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. My new passport book has a QR code sticker on the back. What is it for?

These stickers give you easy access to important passport and travel information on our website.

• If you scan the code using your mobile device, it will link you to our website. If you do not wish to scan the code, you can also access the information on our  After I Get My Passport page .
• Is the same on all passport books
• Does not have personally identifiable information, and
• Does not change the way border officials and airlines review your document.
• We are not placing QR code stickers on passport cards. 
• You may remove the sticker. We recommend keeping it on so you have quick and easy access to our website.

2. What should I do if one parent or guardian cannot apply in person?

• Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
• If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply in person with their child, you will need to show more documents.

Important : Submit  Form DS-3053  and other notarized statements within three months of signing them.

3. Can I renew my child's passport?

No. You cannot renew your child's passport using Form DS-82. If your child is under age 16 , your child must appear in person with you and the child's other parent or guardian. You must submit your child's Form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility, or a passport agency or center.

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

Yes. Federal law requires that you provide your social security number, if you have one.

If you do not provide the information, your passport application will be delayed and your application may be denied. You will also 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.

2. What if I or my children don’t have 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.”

1. What is the passport card?

The U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized, plastic passport that has no visa pages. The card is proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, and has the same length of validity as the passport book.  

The card is for U.S. citizens who travel by land and sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean countries.

The card is  not valid for international travel by air  and is cheaper than the passport book.

You can apply for either the book or card, or both documents.  

2. How do I apply for a passport card?

You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using the same application. When completing your form, let us know if you would like to apply for one or both documents. 

If you're renewing both your passport book and passport card, you must provide both documents. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using Form DS-82.

3. Can I get a passport card if I already have a passport book?

Yes. If you already have a passport book and   you are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card by mail as a "renewal" even if it is your first passport card.

You can do the same and apply for your first passport book by mail as a "renewal" if you already have a passport card.

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The State Department Is Opening New Passport Agencies Across the U.S. — Here's Where They’ll Be Located

Six more passport agencies will open from Salt Lake City to Orlando.

Mehroz Kapadia

The Department of State will add six new passport agencies across the United States in an effort to keep up with demand. 

The new passport agencies will open in Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Orlando, Charlotte, San Antonio, and Cincinnati, according to the State Department . With the new offices, the State Department will run a total of 35 passport agencies and centers.

It was not immediately clear when the new passport agencies would open.

“More Americans can travel abroad today than at any time in our history,” the State Department wrote in a statement, adding the new locations “reflect our commitment to provide prompt customer services to more Americans closer to where they live.”

The Department added: “While we undertake steps to establish these new agencies, we are issuing more passports than ever before while maintaining our passport processing times at our pre-pandemic levels.”

Passport agencies process applications for travelers with upcoming international trips within 14 days or with life-or-death emergencies. Appointments are required.

In addition to these passport agencies , the State Department offers more than 7,400 public passport acceptance facilities where travelers can submit their applications. These include post offices, public libraries, local government offices, and more.

The State Department also runs “ Special Passport Acceptance Fairs ” across the country. These fairs, which were originally created to speed up processing times for first time applicants, will be held this summer in Arizona, California, Florida, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Travelers can also now submit their passport renewal applications online , a service the State Department first started offering in 2022 but had since paused. Only travelers who currently live in the U.S. and have passports that were issued between 2009 and 2015 are eligible to renew online. Travelers also can’t renew online if they want to change things like their name.

Currently, the processing time for passports is six to eight weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for expedited service, which costs an additional $60, according to the State Department .

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