Helpful Passport Information

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All U.S. citizens, including children, are required to obtain passports in their own names for identification while traveling abroad and for re-entry into the United States. Unless specifically authorized by a passport issuing office, no person may have more than one valid, or potentially valid, U.S. passport of the same type at any one time. Following is a summary of the passport application process that was compiled from information provided by the U.S. State Department.

FIRST-TIME PASSPORT APPLICATIONS

If you are applying for your first U.S. Passport, you must apply in person at one of over 3500 Clerks of Court or Post Offices which accept passport applications or at one of the 13 regional Passport Agencies listed below. In Abilene, go to the downtown post office. In other areas, call the largest regional post office in your area or look under the yellow pages of your phone book. You will need to provide the following documents:

1. Proof of United States citizenship or nationality such as: a certified copy of a birth certificate for all applicants born in the US, a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, or an expired US passport.

2. Proof of identity (photo ID with signature) such as a previous U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, a valid driver's license, or a valid government or military identification card.

3. Two identical passport photographs taken within the last six months. The photographs must be 2x2 inches with an image size between 1 and 1 3/8 inches. Photographs must be a front view, full face, taken in normal street attire without a hat or dark glasses, with a plain white background.

4. A completed passport application form DS-11 which contains all the requested information except your signature. This form must be signed in the presence of an authorized executing official. You can download a printable DS-11 passport application.

PASSPORT RENEWALS

Applicants who have had a previous U.S. passport issued within the past 12 years, and who were 18 or older when the passport was issued, may be eligible to apply for a new passport by mail providing they can submit their passport and their name has not changed. They may also apply in person. Documents required for passport renewals include:

1. U.S. Passport

2. Two passport photos

3. A completed passport application form DS-82 which contains all the requested information and is signed and dated. You can order an application form by calling the passport agency nearest you. Mail the completed application and attachments to:

Passport Lockbox

P.O. Box 371971

Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7971

Your previous passport will be returned to you with your new passport.

PASSPORT FEES FOR 1ST TIME APPLICATIONS

In Person Applications

BEST TIME TO APPLY

Passport application processing time varies with passport agencies workloads. It is best to apply in the fall when workload volume is at its lowest. Processing time normally is about two weeks, but you should apply at least 4-6 weeks prior to any scheduled international travel. The spring and summer months are the busiest so the application process may take longer during these months.

WHAT IF YOU NEED A PASSPORT IN A HURRY?

If you are leaving on an emergency trip within five working days, apply in person at the nearest passport agency and present your tickets or travel itinerary from an airline, as well as the other required items. Or, mail your application overnight express mail and enclose a check and request for its return by overnight express mail. Be sure to include your dates of departure and travel plans on your application. Applications are processed according to the departure date indicated on the application form. If you give no departure date, the passport agency will assume you have no immediate travel plans.

KEEP YOUR PASSPORT IN A SAFE PLACE

When traveling abroad, carry your passport with you at all times in a safe place. It is a good idea to take a photo copy of your passport with you and keep it in a separate safe place along with copies of your credit cards, traveler's checks and plane tickets. If your passport is lost or stolen, U.S. embassies will usually accept this as proof that you're a U.S. citizen and can quickly issue you a temporary passport. It's also a good idea to leave a copy of your passport with someone at home in case of emergency.

OBTAINING ADDITIONAL VISA PAGES

If you require additional visa pages before your passport expires, submit your passport with a signed request for extra pages to one of the passport agencies listed below. If you travel abroad frequently, you may request a 48-page passport at the time of application.

CHANGING YOUR NAME ON YOUR PASSPORT

If your name has been changed, you may have your current, valid passport amended with this new name. To do so, mail your passport with your Court Order, Adoption Decree or Marriage Certificate showing your name change, and a completed passport application form DSP-19 to the Passport Agency nearest you. You must complete the application and sign it in your new name.

INVALID COUNTRIES

Currently, the U.S. Secretary of State has decreed the U.S. passport is not valid for travel to Libya, Lebanon and Iraq.

PASSPORT AGENCIES

*The 24-hour recording includes general information, passport agency location, hours of operation and information regarding emergency passport services during non-working hours.

LINKS TO PASSPORT & VISA SITES

White’s Photography - 5518 Piping Rock Dr., Abilene, TX 79606.- (325) 677-5446 - Email: pw@whitesphotography.com