Your Passport Application - How to Apply for Your Passport!

***Important Note***

The Department of State recently began issuing passport cards, which are valid for travel by Americans via land and sea between the United States and any of Canada, Mexico, most Caribbean territories, and Bermuda. These passport cards cannot be used for international air travel to another country. When applying for your passport, please make sure that you do NOT request a passport card!!

Passport Expiration

If you are over the age of 16, your passport will be valid for 10 years. If you are under the age of 16, your passport will be good for 5 years. If your passport will be expiring in less than one year, it is a good idea to go ahead and renew it so you don't run into trouble when you are ready to travel to China! Some airlines won't even allow you to board if your passport does not have at least six months left before the date of expiration. Don't take chances!

Passport Application Processing Times

Once you mail your application to the State Department, allow up to 10 weeks for processing according to the State Department website. Of course, it often doesn't take that long! When we applied for our passports, they came back to us in less then two weeks. However, it's not a good idea to leave this chore until the last minute! You'll need your passports for the dossier anyway - go ahead and apply now!

Passport Expedite Service

Need your passport in a hurry? For a $60 fee, the State Department will rush your application through the system. If you use the expedite service, your passport application will take 2-3 weeks to be processed.

Visa Pages

Have you done a lot of world traveling on your current passport? Check to make sure you have 2-4 blank visa pages left! Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met, and some countries won't even let you in the door! If you need more blank visa pages in your passport, you can make a request to the State Department for this service (see below).

Get Started!

To learn about the passport application process that applies to you, click on one of the following links!

• You do not have a passport and need to get one.



• You have a passport, but it needs to be renewed



• You had a passport at one time but have misplaced it or it has been stolen.



• You currently have a passport, but need more blank visa pages.



• You need a passport for your minor child.

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