ATTENTION!

As of January 23, 2007, all U.S. citizens travelling by air between the United States and Mexico, Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda must present a valid passport.

Passport Processing Timelines
[More information.]

How to Apply for a Passport

1. YOU MUST APPEAR IN PERSON
2. SUBMIT A COMPLETED PASSPORT APPLICATION, PLUS 2 IDENTICAL PASSPORT PHOTOS
3. BRING REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION WITH YOU
4. PAY THE REQUIRED FEES

1. YOU MUST APPEAR IN PERSON

You must apply in person:

• if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time
• if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under 16
• if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession
• if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago
• if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.

You can renew your U.S. passport by mail if:

• Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged
• You received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.
• You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading it from http://www.travel.state.gov )

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2. SUBMIT A COMPLETED PASSPORT APPLICATION, PLUS 2 IDENTICAL PASSPORT PHOTOS

Passport Application Form

<CLICK HERE> to download a form. You may bring the completed form with you when you apply in person.  Alternatively, blank forms will be available for you to fill out.  Please note that you must return the completed form in person to the Passport Agent from the City of Richfield for processing.
For additional information on obtaining a U.S. passport and passport photos, visit the U.S. Department of State web site at the following address:  http://www.travel.state.gov/

Passport Photos

Two identical passport pictures are required for passport issuance. These may be taken when you come into apply for $13.68.

You may bring in two identical photographs for the passport. However, the U.S. government has certain restrictions. For information, <CLICK HERE>.

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3. BRING REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION WITH YOU

Required Identification (which you must bring with you when you apply in person):

• Proof of U.S. citizenship (Certified copy of record of birth in the United States, or original Naturalization Certificate. If the applicant is not applying for the first time, the most recent previous U.S. passport is the preferred proof of citizenship.)
  - and -
• Current Identification (usually a driver's license with signature and photograph).  Parent's identification can be presented on behalf of a minor under age 18, when the minor does not possess his or her own identification.
• Social Security Number

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4. PAY THE REQUIRED FEES

Required Fees

For passport fees, a portion of the fee goes to The City of Richfield and a portion goes to the United States Department of State. One check cannot be used to cover both portions of the fee.

All fees to the State Department must be paid by check or money order, payable to U.S. Department of State.

City of Richfield can accept payment by cash or check.

Minors under age 14 do not sign the passport application, yet must be present when the application is processed. Consent for passport issuance will be required from both parents, or documented as to why that is not possible, for children under age 14. A parent executes the application on the minor's behalf.

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When will I receive my passport?

Regularly, receipt of passport averages four to six weeks from time of application. Expedited service is available for an additional fee of $60.00. Express mail delivery both to and from the Passport Agency is also available at current Postal rates.
****As of March 2007, the State Department is estimating processing times of 10 weeks for routine applications and 3-4 weeks for expedited application requests.**** 

Apply for your passport early!!

If you have questions, contact International Education at studyabroad@stthomas.edu.