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How to Apply for a US Passport After Naturalization

Last Updated: March 26, 2020 Approved

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD . Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 96% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 109,122 times.

As a United States citizen, you will need a valid U.S. passport in order to travel internationally. The Certificate of Naturalization that you received is insufficient personal identification to allow you to re-enter the country. Accordingly, you will want to get a U.S. passport as soon as possible after you are naturalized as a U.S. citizen.

Preparing to Apply

• Unless you only travel regularly to and from the countries listed on the passport card, you should probably get a passport book.

• You may also use the passport wizard at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/apply.html . You will be asked a series of questions and the computer program will tell you how much it will cost and what forms to fill out.
• You can also download the form and accompanying instructions at https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.PDF .

• Your original Certificate of Naturalization will be returned to you 1-2 weeks after you receive your passport.

• The photograph must afford a full frontal view of your face and be printed on quality paper with a white or off-white background. Do not wear hats, dark glasses, or head coverings unless you submit a signed statement that the attire is worn for religious reasons (or a doctor submits that the item is worn for medical purposes). [5] X Research source
• Do not retouch the photograph in any way.

Applying for the Passport

• The search results will also list the hours in which the facility accepts passport applications.
• You can refine your search to find facilities that take photos on site.

• If you have questions, you should call 1-877-487-2778 or email [email protected]. Someone will be available to assist you Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 10:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. [8] X Research source
• Once you have completed the application, you should make a copy for your records.

• You will receive your expedited passport in 2-3 weeks typically. If you choose expedited processing at selected government agencies, then you can get the passport in five business days. [9] X Research source

• There is a separate “execution fee” of $25 charged by the acceptance facility you use. You must pay this fee separately. [10] X Research source If you pay by check, you will have to write two checks.
• You may pay using a check, money order, major credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Discover), bank draft or cashier’s check. You can make your check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State.” [11] X Research source
• Most, but not all, facilities accept credit cards. Call ahead to find out.

• You should fill out the emergency information page in pencil. By using pencil, you can change the information at a later date.

Expert Q&A

• If for some reason your Certificate of Naturalization is not returned to you, then you should immediately contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to complain. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/apply.html
• ↑ http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/naturalization-ceremonies
• ↑ https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.PDF
• ↑ https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

About this article

Once you’ve been naturalized, you’ll still need a U.S. passport to leave and re-enter the country while traveling. Applying for one usually takes between 4-6 weeks and costs 110 dollars. To start, download the U.S. passport application from the government travel website. You’ll also need to get photocopies of your original Certificate of Naturalization as proof of your citizenship. Additionally, you’ll need recent 2 by 2-inch photographs of yourself, which can be taken at a local photo center, like CVS. Once you have your materials, bring them to a passport acceptance facility. To find a facility near you, use the locator on the government travel website. To learn how to get a new passport faster, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Get a U.S. Passport after Naturalization

Home » Passports » How to Obtain a U.S. Passport

You did it! After all that long, hard work to become a naturalized citizen of the United States, you finally realized your dream. Now, not only can you vote, but you can be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger and run for public office.

You cannot be deported, you can apply for education scholarships and small business grants, you can sponsor family members for their green cards, and much more. There are so many new opportunities available to you, not the least of which is to be able to travel abroad long term.

Click for reliable expedited passport courier service .

Enjoy the Benefits of a U.S. Passport

As a green card holder, if you traveled outside the U.S. for more than six months in a year, you ran the risk of not being allowed back in the States because your green card status could be considered abandoned.

As a U.S. citizen, however, you can now travel virtually anywhere in the world for as long as you want, exercising a level of travel freedom available to citizens from very few countries.

You'll get visa-free travel to 174 countries and have the full protection and support of U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world during your travels.

Other perks of having a coveted U.S. passport are that they serve as an irrefutable form of identification, and as additional documented proof of citizenship beyond your Certificate of Naturalization .

Whether you want to book an around-the-world ticket or live abroad for a couple of years, when you're ready, you can always come home the United States with your U.S. passport.

It's your ticket to freedom. Now that you know how important it is to get your passport right away, how do you get started?

Take Steps to Get a U.S. Passport

Getting your first U.S. passport can seem like a daunting task, but you've already navigated your way to citizenship, so it isn't anything you can't handle.

Break the process down into steps, and it will be manageable. The first step you should take is to identify a passport acceptance facility near you and make an appointment. Appointments can take severala while to get, depending on where you live and the time you are applying.

Prepare for Your Passport Appointment

Download, fill out, and print the passport application Form DS-11 from the Internet, or pick one up from your passport acceptance facility prior to your appointment and fill it out by hand.

Do not sign the form, because it has to be signed in front of the passport acceptance agent. Next, go to a business that specializes in passport photos and get your photo taken; stores like Walgreens or CVS are good choices.

Either scan and print a copy of your U.S. driver's license or government-issued ID at home, or have a copy made when you get your photo taken.

The copy should show both the front and back of your ID on a single 8 x 11 piece of white paper. You will also want to make a copy of your Certificate of Naturalization for your own use.

Go to Your Passport Appointment

Bring your filled out and unsigned DS-11 form, color passport photo, color copy of your identification, original Certificate of Naturalization, and your ID with you to your passport appointment.

The agent will ask to see your ID, then have you sign the DS-11 form, and collect your photo, supporting documents, $110 passport fee, and $35 execution fee from you.

You will receive your passport in about 6 to 8 weeks ; the documents you submitted with your application will be returned to you within two weeks of receiving your passport. If you don't get your Certificate of Naturalization back, immediately contact the National Passport Information Center to report it.

Protect Yourself during the Application Process

It is crucial to note that you will be submitting your original Certificate of Naturalization as proof of citizenship with your application. While your passport application is being processed, you will not have access to your naturalization certificate, and therefore will have no proof of citizenship during that time.

To protect yourself, it is imperative that before you submit the original document, you make and keep a copy of it. You will also want to send the application and supporting documents in a protective envelope using a traceable delivery method.

What If You Are In a Hurry?

If you planned an international trip within a month of receiving your U.S. citizenship, you probably need to expedite your application. Waiting to receive it by routine service would be a big risk. Expedited service through a local application acceptance facility currently takes 2 to 3 weeks . The fastest way to get a passport is to apply at a regional agency . You can do this yourself or get a third party to submit the application with your authorization.

Protect Your New Passport

Once you receive your new passport , you will want to take several steps to protect it. To keep your travel document safe, sign it right away in ink, fill out the emergency contact information in pencil and put it in a secure location.

Never throw away your old or expired passport, because you will need it to get a renewal and use it as evidence for the longevity of your citizenship.

If you're a new citizen who has gotten a U.S. passport, what was your experience? Did the process go smoothly? Did you have any problems getting your Certificate of Naturalization back? Contact us to let us know.

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry? 2. What exactly does a passport expediter do? 3. Are passport expediting services legitimate? 4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor? 5. Is expedited passport service worth it?

You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting .

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Am I eligible for a Certificate of Citizenship and what are the requirements?

Home » Am I eligible for a Certificate of Citizenship and what are the requirements?

June 27, 2021

A person born abroad who acquires U.S. citizenship at birth (from a U.S. parent) will generally need to file Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship , to obtain proof of status. Upon approval, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will issue a Certificate of Citizenship to the beneficiary. However, filing Form N-600 is not required in all cases. A person may also apply for a U.S. passport with the Department of State to serve as evidence of his or her U.S. citizenship.

Eligibility for a Certificate of Citizenship

Citizenship laws have changed extensively over the years. Therefore, the year of your birth can affect the determination of your eligibility for a Certificate of Citizenship .

CitizenPath’s Certificate of Citizenship Package can help most people determine eligibility. Our software will ask you a series of questions about you and your parents to decide if you may file Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship.

As mentioned, citizenship laws are very complicated and vary based on the year of your birth. In some cases, our software won’t be able to make a determination. We’ll let you know before you pay if your situation is too complicated. An immigration attorney can assist you at this point.

Our software is free to get started. That means you may get started and check your eligibility before you pay. In fact, you don’t have to pay until the very end of the application when you are ready to print the Form N-600 and our customized filing instructions. In addition to your prepared form, CitizenPath provides you with a set of personalized filing instructions. Our filing instructions are customized to your answers in the application so you know exactly what to do for your specific situation. The filing instructions provide detailed directions on supporting documents, how to organize your application, and where to mail it.

U.S. Passport or Certificate of Citizenship

If you already have a U.S. passport, you generally don’t need to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship. However, some people prefer to have a certificate as a form of back-up documentation.

The Certificate of Citizenship does not expire. Therefore, it may give some citizens more reassurance than a U.S. passport.

Mistakes on your N-600 application can cause costly delays or a denial.

A validly issued U.S. passport generally serves as evidence of your U.S. citizenship for most purposes during its period of validity. However, you may be required to submit your Certificate of Citizenship when attempting to apply for certain other benefits, including, but not limited to:

• Social Security benefits
• State issued ID including a Driver’s License or Learning Permit
• Financial Aid
• Passport Renewal

Certificate Replacement

If the U.S. government previously issued you a Certificate of Citizenship but the document is now lost, you may file an application to replace it. Likewise, use the same application to replace a stolen or destroyed certificate.

To replace a Certificate of Citizenship, file Form N-565, Application to Replace Citizenship Document .

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I Received My Passport, But Where Are My Supporting Documents?

• Sheldon Soper

So, you’ve received your new U.S. passport in the mail and are excited to start planning your international adventure, only to realize that your supporting documents are nowhere to be found.

As part of the passport application process, you have to send in originals or certified copies of some of your most personal forms of ID and proof of citizenship like a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or a naturalization certificate. It can be nerve-wracking anxiously wondering where those documents are, especially once your passport has arrived. One of the most common questions we receive from our readers is ‘When and how do I get my supporting documents back after applying for a passport?’ 

The answer: passports and citizenship documents are returned to you separately.  

After you get your new passport, there’s almost always a delay for your supporting documents to arrive. These materials are not supposed to be mailed back to you with your new passport. Instead, they are mailed back to you separately, sometimes in multiple mailings. 

So, while it might initially seem like your documents are missing, rest assured, they’re simply taking a different route back to you. Let’s delve into this process to better understand when and how you can expect to receive your supporting documents after applying for a passport.

Supporting Documents Required for U.S. Passports

When applying for a U.S. passport, you must provide supporting citizenship documents . These supporting documents verify your citizenship status, establish your identity, and validate any legal name changes if such changes occur.

The documents required for obtaining a US passport can differ based on the specific type of passport you’re applying for. Each type of passport serves different purposes and therefore, necessitates different forms of verification.

It’s always recommended to check for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding document requirements for different types of passports. This ensures that you have all the necessary paperwork in order before beginning the passport application process, thereby making the process smoother and more efficient. 

In addition to a relevant completed passport application form (e.g., new passports for adults and minors aged 16 and up : Form DS-11 , passports for minors : Form DS-11 , and passport renewals : Form DS-82 ), a recent passport photo , and relevant passport fees , you may need to provide any or all of the following supporting documents , if applicable:

• Fully valid, undamaged U.S. passport ( may be expired )
• U.S. birth certificate (must meet specific requirements )
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Naturalization Certificate
• Proof of Citizenship
• In-state, fully valid driver’s license or enhanced driver’s license with photo
• Name change document  

Make sure that you have all of your required supporting documents in order with your relevant passport application form to ensure your application can be processed without unnecessary delays or denials.

Understanding the Mailing Process

When completing your passport application form, you must choose either routine or expedited processing . 

You can opt for standard processing to receive your passport within 6 to 8 weeks or choose expedited service for a quicker turnaround of 2 to 3 weeks . 

• Please note: these timeframes do not include delivery times. For an even faster service, you can visit a regional agency or hire a registered courier service .

Whether you apply for routine or expedited processing service by mail ( passport renewal , only) or in person at a U.S. passport acceptance facility near you, your passport and supporting documents will be returned to you through the mail. Expect to receive your passport and supporting documents in multiple mailings . The number of mailings is determined by the type(s) of document(s) you’ve applied for (i.e., passport book, passport card).

Passport Book Delivery

Passport books and citizenship documents will be returned to you in two separate mailings . 

After receiving your passport, it may take up to 8 weeks before you receive a second mailing containing your citizenship documents. 

• You can track the status of your passport application and subscribe to email updates through the U.S. Department of State website.

Passport Card Delivery

Similarly, your new U.S. passport card and citizenship documents will be sent in two separate mailings . 

After receiving your passport card, it may take up to 8 weeks before you receive a second mailing containing your citizenship documents. 

Receiving Both a Passport Book and Card

If you’ve applied for both a passport book and a passport card, you may receive three separate mailings : one for the new passport book, one for the new passport card, and one for the citizenship documents. Again, it may take up to 8 weeks after receiving your passport book and passport card before you receive your citizenship documents.

What to Do If Your Citizenship Documents Don’t Arrive

If it has been over 8 weeks since you received your requested documents and you still have not received a mailing with your supporting citizenship documents, you must contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 .

Key Takeaways

• Passport Application: U.S. passport applicants must provide documents to prove citizenship , identity , and any name changes . Document requirements vary by passport type.
• Document Verification: Different passports serve different purposes and require specific verification. Always check the latest document requirements for a smooth application process.
• Application Process: Applicants submit a completed form , recent photo , processing fees , and supporting documents such as a valid U.S. passport, birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, naturalization certificate, proof of citizenship, driver’s license, and name change document.
• Passport Mailing and Delivery: Choose between routine or expedited processing . Routine processing takes between 6 and 8 weeks. Expedited processing takes between 2 and 3 weeks. Passports and supporting documents are mailed back to you in multiple mailings.
• Supporting Documents Delivery: Expect up to 8 weeks for citizenship documents to be mailed back to you.
• Application Tracking: Track your passport application status and sign up for email updates on the U.S. Department of State website.
• Department Contact: If citizenship documents don’t arrive within 8 weeks of receiving the passport, contact the U.S. Department of State.

FAQs Answered

Question: “I recently applied for and received a new passport due to a marital name change, however, I only received my new passport, and I would like to receive my original passport back for record-keeping purposes as well as my original copy of my marriage certificate. How can I obtain this back?” (Michelle from San Francisco, CA, USA)

Answer: Your original passport and marriage certificate should arrive soon. These documents are usually sent separately from the new passport. If they do not arrive after a couple of weeks, please contact the National Passport Information Center by calling 1-877-487-2778 toll-free.

Automated Passport Information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can speak with a representative Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., EST, excluding federal holidays.

Question: “I received my new passport in July, but haven’t got my old passport and supporting documents yet. Also, my address has been changed. I called NPIC many times, but haven’t been able to talk to a customer service representative.” (Rich from Mediapolis, IA, USA)

Answer: Your documents may have arrived at your old address and have been returned to the sender. You need to contact the National Passport Information Center again to clarify. Lines are very busy so you need to try several times during the day to reach someone.

Question: “I received my passport, but my original certificate of naturalization is missing. Where can I get the tracking number of my support documents to get information about it?” (Josy M. from Tribune, KS, USA)

Answer: Supporting documents are returned through regular non-traceable mail. There is no tracking number available. Please contact the National Passport Information Center if you have not received your Certificate of Naturalization after 8 weeks of receiving your new passport.

Question: “Hi. I received all 3 new passports and all supporting documents, except for one of my sons’ birth certificates. I received his court custody documents but not his birth certificate. I have tried to speak to someone for weeks now and have not had any luck. What should I do?” (Diana from Stanley, NM, USA)

Answer: Hi, Diana. At this point, you can only wait for the document to arrive. Since the other documents have been returned, it is safe to assume that the missing document will also arrive. Delivery is probably just delayed. 

Question: “My children’s passports were delivered in late March but we have not received my and my husband’s original naturalization certificates and my kids’ original birth certificates. I have called the NPIC number several times, waited online for a minimum of two hours each time, and emailed them too with no success. Please what do I do? Need advice. Thanks.” (Anna from Myrtle Creek, OR, USA)

Answer: Supporting documents are not mailed through a traceable delivery method so there is no way of tracking them. All you can do is confirm with the National Passport Information Center that the documents have been sent your way and wait until those documents arrive.

Question: “I applied for a passport 2 -3 months ago and I haven’t received anything. They sent me a letter saying there was something wrong with the documents and to fix it and I did. I have not received anything yet and I need my birth certificate to get an ID. What do I do?” (Ethan from Auberry, CA, USA)

Answer: Standard processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. Since there were missing documents, you can expect delays in the processing. At this time, your passport may still be in process.

You may check the status of the application through the U.S. Department of State website .

Please note: once the process is completed, your new passport and birth certificate will be sent to you in separate mailings.

Question: “I applied for my passport and received it; however, I have not received my Citizenship Certificate back and the 877 number does not seem to have any information except to wait. How do I escalate this matter? I need the document urgently for another process.” (Bea from Dolan Springs, AZ, USA)

Answer: If passport services have confirmed that the document has been mailed back and advised you to wait, the problem may be with the postal service.

Unfortunately, supporting documents are not sent back using traceable mail so it will be difficult to track the package. 

USPS is receiving an unprecedented volume of mail which may also account for the delay. Moreover, there is a percentage of mail that gets lost while in transit or upon arrival at its destination. 

We recommend that you contact your local post office to see if there is something they can do to help you.

Question: “I am applying for my third passport. I sent all my info, payment, and everything and never received anything, not even my birth certificates, and I know one of the ones has already expired. I need my passport because I live on the border. What can I do? Can I apply again?” (Luce from Nogales, AZ, USA)

Answer: The Department of State gives you 90 days to file Form DS-86 Statement of Non-Receipt of U.S. Passport . If it has been over 90 days, you need to submit a new application.

To find out when the passport was issued, you may call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 or check the status here: https://passportstatus.state.gov/ .

Question: “My kids’ birth certificates were never returned from the passport bureau. I called the number and they said to get a copy. Is there a way of getting the originals back from somewhere?” (David from Murphy, ID, USA)

Answer: The documents are supposed to be returned after final review by the State Department. Please reach out to passport services through their feedback page.

About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.

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Voting bill would make NH only state in US to require citizenship documents

New Hampshire Republican lawmakers are continuing to push to require residents to produce a birth certificate, passport, or other citizenship document to register to vote. Proponents say the measures would ensure that people could vote only if they had definitively proven they were eligible.

But according to some experts, the proposed laws would also be unique to the Granite State.

No other state has a law requiring documentary proof of citizenship in order to register to vote, said Alex Tischenko, senior policy adviser for the Institute for Responsive Government, speaking against the bills at a press conference May 24. And the one state to pass one in recent history – Kansas – saw it struck down in federal court, he noted.

“Every other state allows voters to register and vote by attesting under penalty of perjury to their U.S. citizenship,” said Tischenko, who previously served as an attorney in the civil rights division of the U.S. Department of Justice under Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. “And there’s a good reason for that: Requiring everybody to retrieve a rarely used document that proves U.S. citizenship is guaranteed to disenfranchise thousands of U.S. citizens.”

The proposals to tighten voter registration requirements have appeared in two separate bills this year, both of which passed the Senate last week. One is heading to Gov. Chris Sununu; the other is set for further negotiations between the House and Senate.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

The first bill, House Bill 1569, would require a birth certificate, passport, or other proof of citizenship in order to register to vote for the first time in New Hampshire, and also eliminate any exceptions to the state’s voter ID law on Election Day, and require a voter to obtain their identification or not vote at all. That bill is heading to the governor’s desk.

The second, House Bill 1370, creates similar requirements to the first bill. But it also directs the Secretary of State’s Office to create a “hotline”-style service with the Attorney General’s Office and the Division of Motor Vehicles that would in theory allow town election officials to ask state officials whether there are state documents proving a voter at the polls is a citizen and eligible to vote.

Sen. James Gray, a Rochester Republican and the chairman of the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee, said the hotline could be effective.

“It is estimated that using the databases that we came up with in meetings with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the DMV, that there will be very, very few people who will not be able to answer the questions about citizenship, about age, and about domicile,” Gray said on the Senate floor on May 16.

HB 1370 will not head directly to Sununu; the changes must survive “committee of conference” negotiations with the House and Senate. The House has already requested a committee of conference; the Senate will decide Thursday whether to agree to that request and open and send negotiators.

Senate Republicans have presented the bills as an opportunity for Sununu to choose between two options: a more rigid version without compromises for voters who don’t have documents, and a more flexible version intended to allow state officials to help voters prove their citizenship if their documents are lost.

But voting rights supporters say even with the addition of the hotline, HB 1370 would create risks of preventing certain residents from voting due to a lack of clear documents. The state databases would not help people who were born in other states and did not have a birth certificate, they noted. And they say the hotline itself would likely face functional challenges, particularly for remote towns on Election Day.

Both HB 1569 and HB 1370 are worded to take effect immediately, meaning they would affect the state primary on Sept. 10 and the general election on Nov. 5.

When asked about them, Sununu has suggested he doesn’t support the bills, telling reporters that he does not see any need for new election laws. But he has not explicitly promised to veto them.

Supporters of the bills say they will help close “loopholes” that allow people to cast ballots and sign legally binding affidavits to attest that they are who they say they are and eligible to vote at that polling place, on penalty of perjury. Even though the Attorney General’s Office can follow up with an investigation and prosecute anyone who lied about their voting qualifications after the election, the bills’ advocates say that enforcement can’t stop the vote from being counted.

But Tischenko and others say the bills as worded could go too far in the other direction and block “thousands” of people who should be allowed to vote from doing so.

To substantiate that, Tischenko has pointed to the experience of Kansas. The state passed a law in 2013 that required residents to submit citizenship paperwork to register to vote, and a state legal expert found that between 2013 and 2018, more than 30,000 people in the state were prevented from registering to vote, according to the Associated Press.

After the American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations filed a lawsuit, a U.S. District Court struck down the law in 2018. That decision was upheld by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2020, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal.

Similar to the proposals in New Hampshire’s HB 1370, the state of Kansas also attempted to assist residents with proving their citizenship and identity in the months up to Election Day, Tischenko said, but those efforts did not stop thousands from being blocked from voting.

Meanwhile, opponents of the bills have also been skeptical about how effective the assistance hotline might be in practice – especially on Election Day.

The state hotline would necessitate reliable internet service at every polling place, argued Dan Healey, the Nashua city clerk and current president of the New Hampshire City and Town Clerks Association. “The community I came from prior where I was a clerk for quite a few years, one of the polling locations had no cell phone service,” he said, speaking at the May 24 press conference. “It was very spotty. You had to go into the parking lot, the middle of the parking lot, to get any reception.”

Some residents who moved within the state might have documents held by the city or town they had moved away from, but accessing another municipality’s database often incurs fees, Healey said.

And the bill would require additional training for election workers, Healey said.

“We have many of our voters that come in that don’t have their proof with them, but they are eligible,” Healey said. “They are citizens. They do live in Nashua, but they don’t always bring that proof.”

But those advocating for the bills say that they would simply require additional steps for new registrants. Those who were motivated to vote would take those steps, they argue.

“Certainly, this bill recognizes that it’s hard for people,” said Gray. “But remember, it is still the person who needs to prove that they are meeting the criteria. And all this bill does really is it takes the affidavit out of the process.”

This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin .

How To Get Your Own US Passport & Start Your Adventure

Y our U. S. passport is a travel essential for any age traveler because a U.S. citizen’s birth certificate does not suffice to cross borders. However, in the past few years, the processing of U.S. passport applications, renewals and services has slowed considerably.

The U.S. Dept. of State announced in March 2023 that routine processing  of a passport application now takes 10-13 weeks , and  expedited processing  (for an additional $60) takes 7-9 weeks.

So, it’s time to get started with your application. A passport is a great holiday present and will become a great souvenir of your family travels, too.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport

Don’t wait to acquire or renew your U.S. passport. Whether your family has planned an exotic getaway, or has a new baby on board, whether it’s about to expire or just needs more pages; do it now.

Believe us, you can get one more easily if you plan ahead, or more expensively if you’re running late. It used to be that if you only had a minimum of 24 hours’ lead time, it could still happen before your trip. Those days may be gone forever.

With that in mind, here are some of our tips and resources from the U.S. Passports and International Travel office to make the whole process easier for you.

Who Needs Documentation to Cross Which Borders

All U.S. citizens traveling by air and land (with a few tiny exceptions) anywhere, including the nearby countries in the Caribbean, Mexico, and even Canada need passports. Note that an online eligibility tool is now available, so be sure to fill it in and determine if your requirements will differ from those below. Don’t forget to check out pandemic-related travel restrictions as well.

• All US Citizens 16-years of age and older must present a valid passport to travel outside of the country to Canada, even by car or boat.
• Exceptions include kids age 15 and under who, thanks to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative , can present an original or copy of their birth certificate or other proof of citizenship to travel by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and 17 Caribbean nations.
• Teens between the ages of 16 and 18 , when traveling with an organized group, can follow the same procedures as younger children per the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. If not with a group, they, as all adults, will need their own passports.
• All new US passports must be Biometric Electronic passports
• Plan ahead for any government-issued documentation because waits can be long. The Department of State received more than 19 million passport applications in Fiscal Year 2018, increasing the competition for quick service.

Never Plan to Fly Internationally? Get a US Passport Card

To meet demand, the US developed the U.S. Passport Card . This wallet-sized RealID document is only good for land and sea cross-border travel between the U. S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

It is not valid for international travel by air, but it only costs $65 for applicants age 16 and older whether or not they already have a passport book . It can be applied for online if you already have a passport or expired passport card to send in by mail. Otherwise, you will need to submit one color photo and your forms to an agent in person; visit U S. Department of State for applications and information.

Also read: Parent Teen Adventures In Puerto Rico

Ordering U.S. Passports By Mail

Potential applicants renewing by mail must meet certain qualifications (see website) and provide their expired passports. Xerox everything, then bring it back to your authorized district mail center, or send it directly to the nearest Passport Center.(Several are noted on the website Passport Info .)

Note that the period September to December is typically the least busy application period. In fact, September is traditionally “Passport Month” when U.S. agencies stay open Saturdays and provide extra services to encourage more Americans to apply for or renew passports. 

Step by Step Directions on Applying for a Passport

If you have a few months’ lead time, head to your local post office or library or one of the more than 8,000 Passport Centers noted on the national passport website to pick up an application, or download one from the site.

What You’ll Need for a U. S. Passport

• 13 Week’s Lead Time (if the waits decrease, we suggest you apply 10 weeks ahead, just in case)
• Application (download and fill out before appointment)
• Proof of Citizenship (previous passport, birth certificate)
• One Photo (professional quality)
• Proof of ID (previous passport, driver’s license)

Taking Your Passport Photos Successfully

Did you know that , and several hundred thousand applications are rejected each year due to poor photos?. Passport photos will no longer be accepted if the applicant is wearing eyeglasses and, like this cute photo above, must be in color. The Department of State has gotten very strict about photo quality and readability.

The U.S. Passport Office has a page of rules about what makes a good passport photo . Fortunately, there’s a fun app called Passport Photo Creator that makes it easier. Check out the parameters you need to line up a passport-worthy photo on your smartphone.

Of course, it’s helpful to have a partner in the picture-taking, and maybe two if you are photographing a baby. When complete (the app will “verify” a good quality image), email it to a local Walgreens for printing. If you’re unsure about where that is, you can bring a flash drive memory stick with the images to a printer and have it done.

Also read:  How To Travel With Your Pets: 6 Essential Pet Travel Tips

Fees are High, and will go higher!

Notes that passport fees have skyrocketed with the inclusion of Security and Execution Charges, as well as with the new requirement for Biometric passports. Prepare to pay $165 (first time passport, valid 10 years), $135 (children under 16 years, valid 5 years only), or $130 (renewal, valid 10 years).

The only good news is that some Caribbean and Mexican resorts offer summer family travel specials in which they reimburse any family member who had to purchase a passport to get there!

Who Must Apply In Person, In Real Life, for a U.S. Passport

If you are a First Time applicant of any age, you will need to see a Passport Center officer in person with proof of U.S. citizenship and identity; Parents can provide these papers for accompanying children but must have their own photo IDs.

Anyone needing to renew an expired passport that was issued when the passport holder was less than 16-years of age must also apply in person. There are now 8,000 U.S. passport acceptance facilities nationwide. Most of the local Passport Centers accept applicants by appointment only.

Getting U.S. Children’s Passports

Remember that every citizen, no matter the age, must now carry her own passport. Strict guidelines for the issuance of passports to minors under the age of 16-years require the presence of both parents , with proof of parentage.

If there’s only one parent making an appearance, they must have a notarized statement of consent from the second parent (or divorce papers, death certificates, lawyer’s letters, etc. which can be declared on the special form DS-5525 .)

Same sex couples must follow the same rules. “In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on same sex marriage,” comments a State Department official, “regarding the two parent consent requirement for passport issuance, the basic premise of two-parent consent —- that all legal parents/guardians of a child, as determined by state law, must consent to passport issuance -— remains the same.”

Additionally, minors ages 18 and under are recommended to have at least one guardian in attendance, but these rules are complicated, so be sure to check the national passport website before arriving at their office.

Note: We recommend that any parent who has a different surname than their child also carry a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate while traveling, providing legal evidence of “guardianship” in case of need.

If custody issues are a concern, parents may also request that their children’s names be entered in the U.S. passport name-check system.The Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program provides notification to parents of passport applications made on behalf of minor children, and denial of passport issuance if appropriate court orders are on file with the CPIAP. The Office of International Parental Child Abduction will provide more information.

Rush Hour – When You Need a U.S. Passport Yesterday

If you’re in a desperate rush, bring your travel tickets (departure must be dated within two weeks of passport application), necessary documents and cash to your regional passport center, wait on line to fill out the application, sign it, pay an additional $60 Expedite Fee, and return in person or have the it delivered to you as soon as possible by overnight mail for an added fee.

If you don’t want to manage this, help is available. For a fee that may be a few hundred dollars (on top of the regular Passport Agency fees), expediters like It’s Easy Passport can advise you of the required paperwork and do the legwork for you, ensuring you peace of mind.

Passport and visa expediters get you the forms, take your stuff, wait and deliver your documents, often within 24-48 hours. Their services are most beneficial for:

• Last-minute travel planners.
• Those who need to renew it due to expire within 6 months (not acceptable in many countries.) 
• Anyone requiring international visas with no easy access to a consulate or embassy.

The helpful Fastport Passport, a family run operation based in Brooklyn, is one we’ve worked with. Other national expediters include Passport Plus Visas and A. Briggs Passport Plus.

Also read: Air Travel Tips To Ease Family Vacation Hassles

Confused by all this Passport Information?

For Spanish language information on how to apply for a U.S. passport, application fees, and other travel information, visit Travel.State.Gov/Pasaporte.

For more information, take advantage of the National Passport Information Center’s toll-free phone assistance line , 877/487-2778, manned by English and Spanish speaking live operators from 8am-10pm weekdays, and Saturdays 10am-3pm EST. TDD/TTY users may call 888/874-7793; recorded assistance is available 24/7 on both phone lines.

Additionally, the NPIC claims they will answer email inquiries addressed to [email protected] within two normal business days. Let us know if that works for you and safe travels.

1. Can I renew my US passport if it’s expired?

Yes, you can renew your it if it has expired within the last 15 years and you were at least 16 years old when it was issued. You can renew it by mail using the DS-82 form. If it has been more than 15 years, you’ll need to apply for a new one in person using the DS-11 form.

2. What is the validity period of a US passport?

For adults (ages 16 and older), it is valid for 10 years. For children (under 16), it is valid for 5 years. Make sure to renew it before it expires if you plan to travel internationally.

3. How can I expedite my US passport application?

You can expedite your application by paying an additional fee and choosing expedited processing when you submit your application. This option shortens the processing time to approximately 2-3 weeks for routine service. You can also expedite the return mailing of it.

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Conflict in Sudan: Temporary immigration, passport and citizenship measures

Sudanese nationals in Canada may want to extend their stay because the conflict in Sudan is preventing them from returning home.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and their foreign national family members have also had to suddenly flee the country.

As a result, we’ve put in place temporary measures for those affected by the conflict.

Family-based permanent residence pathway for people affected by the conflict in Sudan

We’re not currently accepting applications.

We’ve announced a pathway for people to reunite with their family members in Canada permanently if they

• resided in Sudan when the conflict began on April 15, 2023, and
• are extended family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents

Learn more about the new pathway to permanent residence .

Sudanese nationals in Canada

Temporary measures are in place for Sudanese nationals in Canada who want to extend their temporary resident status or apply for another temporary resident document.

Temporary measures for Sudanese nationals in Canada

Canadian citizens and permanent residents

Temporary measures are in place for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are affected by the conflict and need any of the following documents:

• 1-year limited validity passports
• temporary passports
• emergency travel documents
• Canadian citizenship certificate
• permanent resident travel document

Temporary measures for Canadian citizens and permanent residents

Affected family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who fled Sudan

Temporary measures are in place for foreign national family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who

• left Sudan after the conflict began
• entered Canada before July 15, 2023

Temporary measures for affected family members

Applications from those living in Sudan

We’re automatically prioritizing applications for temporary and permanent residence from those living in Sudan. We’re also prioritizing applications for proof of Canadian citizenship for those who are affected by the conflict.

How to contact us

Use our web form

To make sure we prioritize your question:

• use this web form
• describe your situation, including what you need help with
• add the keyword " SD2023 " at the end of your description

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Routine:  6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel.  Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

• It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it. 
• Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel:  See our Get my Passport Fast page. 

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How Do I Obtain an “Authenticated” Copy of a Certificate of Naturalization?

If you are required to provide an “authenticated” copy of your Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship to someone outside of the U.S. government, you must make an appointment with your local USCIS office to authenticate your photocopy of your certificate.  “Authentication” is a term used by the U.S. Department of State and other governments to describe what USCIS refers to as a “Certified True Copy.” These two terms refer to the same thing. When you require a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship to be authenticated, be sure to say that you want a "Certified True Copy" of the certificate.

You do not need to obtain a Certified True Copy if the U.S. government asks for a copy of your certificate for official U.S. government business. You may use a normal photocopy of your certificate for legitimate U.S. government business.  For example, when you apply for a U.S. passport, you must submit the original Certificate of Naturalization, and you should also submit a normal photocopy that has not been authenticated.

In order to certify a copy of the certificate, you must make an appointment with your local USCIS office and bring both your original document and your photocopy. We do not authenticate or certify copies as true through the mail or electronically. Please call the Contact Center at 800-375-5283 to request an appointment.

When you go to your appointment, be sure to bring:

• Your original Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
• A photocopy of the certificate
• A form of photo identification, such as a state issued driver’s license, a state identification card, or a passport.

At your appointment, a designated USCIS employee will review your documents. The officer may certify the copy if they can confirm your identity and status as a U.S. citizen.

Note: If you are a family member requesting a Certified True Copy for a deceased U.S. citizen, you must also provide evidence of your        relationship to the decedent (such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, or other documentation showing your relationship).

USCIS will provide Certified True Copies and return these along with the supplied documentation to you. USCIS does not accept fees on behalf of the U.S. Department of State or any other government agencies, and we do not forward Certified True Copies to any other government agency on your behalf. We will return to you all documentation that you submit to us, including any documentation supplied by the Department of Homeland Security.

To obtain the services of the U.S. Department of State, Authentication Office, contact the Department of State:

Internet:   https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/office-of-authentications.html

Phone: 202-485-8000