Passport application information
How to apply for a U.S. Passport

U.S. passports are issued only to U.S. citizens or nationals. Each person must obtain his or her own passport.

If you are a first-time applicant, you will need to fill out form DS-11 Application for a New Passport, and sign your application in person at an official passport acceptance facility (many post offices provide this service). If an application is being submitted for a minor (under the age of 16), the child AND both parents must be present to sign the application. If one of the parents cannot appear in person, a notarized consent form must be filled out by that parent and submitted with the application. Each application must be accompanied by:

Proof of U.S. Citizenship 
Proof of identity 
Two identical passport-type photographs
Proof of international departure within 21 days of application date (if applying for expedited services through Red Star Travel)
An authorization letter for Red Star Travel to process your application
Fees (as explained below)

If you have had a previous passport, inquire about eligibility to use Form DS-82 (mail in application).

If you need assistance with applying for passport amendment, extension of validity, or additional visa pages, please contact Red Star Travel for instructions. Check visa requirements with consular officials of countries to be visited well in advance of your departure.

1. PROOF OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP

(a) Applicants born in the United States. Submit previous U.S. passport or certified birth certificate. A birth certificate must include your given name and surname, date and place of birth, date the birth record was filed, and seal or other certification of the official custodian of such records. A record filed more than 1 year after the birth is acceptable if it is supported by evidence described in the next paragraph.

IF NO BIRTH RECORD EXISTS, submit registrar's notice to that effect. Also submit an early baptismal circumcision certificate, hospital birth record, early census, school, or family Bible records, newspaper or insurance files, or notarized affidavits of persons having knowledge of your birth (preferable with at least one record listed above). Evidence should include your given name and surname, date and place of birth, and seal or other certification of office (if customary) and signature of issuing official.

(b) Applicants born outside the United States. Submit previous U.S. passport or Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship, or a Report of Birth Abroad, or evidence described below. If you claim citizenship through naturalization of parents(s), submit the Certificate(s) of Naturalization of your parent(s), your foreign birth certificate, and proof of your admission to the United States for permanent residence.

IF YOU CLAIM CITIZENSHIP THROUGH BIRTH ABROAD TO U.S. CITIZEN PARENT(S), submit a Consular Report of Birth (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth (Form DS-1350 or FS-545), or your foreign birth certificate, parents marriage certificate, proof of citizenship of your parent(s), and affidavit of U. S. citizen parent(s) showing all periods and places of residence/physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.

2. PROOF OF IDENTITY

If you are not personally known to the acceptance agent, you must establish your identity to the agent's satisfaction. You may submit items such as the following containing your signature AND physical description or photograph that is a good likeness of you: previous U.S. passport; Certificate of Naturalization or of Citizenship; driver's license (not temporary or learners license); or government (Federal, State, municipal) identification card or pass. Temporary or altered documents are not acceptable.

IF YOU CANNOT PROVE YOUR IDENTITY as stated above, you must appear with an IDENTIFYING WITNESS who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who has known you for at least 2 years. Your witness must prove his or her identity and complete and sign an Affidavit of Identifling Witness (Form DSP-71) before the acceptance agent. You must also submit some identification of your own.

3. TWO PHOTOGRAPHS

Submit two identical photographs of you alone, sufficiently recent to be a good likeness (normally taken within the last 6 months), 2x2 inches in size, with an image size from bottom of chin to top of head (including hair) of between 1 and 1 3/8 inches. Photographs must be clear, front view, full face, taken in normal street attire without a hat or dark glasses, and printed on thin paper with a plain light (white or offwhite) background. They may be black and white or color. They must be capable of withstanding a mounting temperature of 225 Fahrenheit (107 Celsius). Photographs retouched so that your appearance is changed are unacceptable. Snapshots, most vending machine prints, and magazine or full-length photographs are unacceptable.

4. FEES

Submit $135 by check or money order payable to the US Department of State for expedited passport processing. In addition, a fee of $25 is charged by the passport acceptance facility for the execution of application. Red Star Travel's fee for submitting your application and representing you at the Passport Agency is $95 for 3 to 5 business day service or $150 for 1-day service. Your passport will be valid for 10 years from the date of issue except where limited by the Secretary of State to a shorter period. Passports issued to minors are valid for 5 years from the date of issue, except where limited as above.

To have your new passport shipped back to you by FedEx overnight, please add $25 to the above fees or include a prepaid self-addressed envelope.

Information provided herein is subject to change without prior notice - please verify the requirements and current fees by calling or emailing Red Star Travel prior to submitting your documents.