UNITED STATES PASSPORT

A United States passport is a travel document issued by the U.S. Department of State to U.S. citizens and nationals. It serves several vital purposes:

Functions:

• Proof of Identity and Nationality: Acts as official documentation confirming your identity and your status as a U.S. citizen or national.
• International Travel Facilitation: Provides visa-free access to many countries worldwide, based on agreements and your individual circumstances.
• Consular Assistance: When you encounter problems abroad, your U.S. passport can facilitate access to consular assistance from U.S. embassies and consulates in various countries.

Key Features:

• Issued by the U.S. Department of State: Applications are typically submitted through local passport acceptance facilities, mail-in applications, or in person at a passport agency.
• Type: Available in two main forms:
  • Passport book: Traditional booklet format for most international travel.
  • Passport card: Wallet-sized card valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda (not valid for international air travel).
• Color: Blue cover with gold lettering.
• Validity: 10 years for individuals aged 16 and above; 5 years for citizens under 16.
• Security Features: Equipped with various anti-counterfeiting and anti-tampering measures, including biometric features like facial recognition (introduced in 2007).

Obtaining a U.S. Passport:

• Eligibility: You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Application process: Involves submitting an application form, proof of citizenship or nationality, photographs, and paying associated fees.

Additional Resources:

• U.S. Department of State: Passports and Travel: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html
• Wikipedia – United States passport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_passport

Important Notes:

• This information is for general guidance only. Specific requirements and procedures for obtaining a U.S. passport can vary depending on your individual circumstances. It’s crucial to consult the official U.S. Department of State website for the most up-to-date and accurate details on acquiring a U.S. passport.
• You can also find information on renewing an existing passport, applying for a passport card, and other related topics on the U.S. Department of State website.

PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITY SERVICES
As a United States Passport Acceptance Facility, we can:

Receive and submit your completed application and necessary documentation for a United State passport (or passport card) to the U.S. Department of State*
Provide on-site passport photo services for your passport applications or visa applications
Provide the necessary forms required to apply for a United State passport
Provide other passport-related forms
Field any questions regarding the passport application process

Due to Covid-19 closures, expect significant delays of several months in processing time.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AS ALL U.S. CITIZENS MAY NOT REQUIRE A PASSPORT BOOK OR PASSPORT CARD
The final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into effect on June 1, 2009 and requires US citizens to present a passport book, passport card, or other document approved by the US Government when entering the United States by land or by sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The following information briefly provides the requirements for special audiences. Details can be found on the US Department of Homeland Security’s website, www.dhs.gov/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative.

CHILDREN: US citizen children age 15 and younger arriving by land or by sea from contiguous territory may present an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

GROUPS OF CHILDREN: US citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or by sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may present an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card. The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with the following information:

The name of the group and supervising adult.
A list of the children on the trip, and the primary address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child.
A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has obtained parental or legal guardian consent for each participating child.