Passport particulars
Since 2007 , the U . S . government has required citizens to have a passport for travel to any international destination , including air travel to Canada and Mexico . Here are some details that travelers and trip planners should consider .
How do I get a passport ? You need to apply for a new passport in person — at a passport acceptance facility , which can be a post office , library or county courthouse — if it ’ s your first passport or if it ’ s for a child under 16 . You can renew an expired passport by mail ( they ’ re good for 10 years ) if you have the old one ( undamaged ) and if was issued less than 15 years ago .
What ’ s required for getting a passport ? For a new passport , you need to complete federal form DS-11 and have proof of citizenship , a photo ID , a color passport photo and payment . If you ’ re renewing by mail , your old passport serves as your ID and proof of citizenship , but you need to send everything else listed above .
How much will this cost ? Adult passports — age 16 and up , new or renewed — cost $ 110 . For a new one , add an execution fee ( that sounds worse than it is ) of $ 35 . If you need it in a hurry , you can pay an extra $ 60 to expedite the process .
Speaking of being in a hurry … how long does it take ? For a routine application or renewal , expect four to six weeks for delivery . If you pay extra to expedite , cut that time frame in half .
And what if the passport is for a kid ? An applicant under 16 must provide all of the requirements for a new passport listed earlier , but in addition , both parents must give their consent . That ’ s easiest when both parents can appear when the child applies for the passport . If only one can appear , the other parent can provide a notarized affidavit .
What about visiting Canada or Mexico ? A passport card can be used for returning to the U . S . from Canada , Mexico , the Caribbean or Bermuda — but not for air travel . The application process is similar — and passport cards are less expensive than passports — but they cannot be used for travel abroad .
There are more details — many more details — involved with passports . To get all the answers , go to travel . state . gov and click on “ Get a U . S . Passport .”
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