GETTING A U.S. PASSPORT

What should I bring?

1. Primary Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (One of the following):

Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport, OR
Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state*, OR
Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, OR
Naturalization Certificate, OR
Certificate of Citizenship

*A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. Please note, some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes.

When applying for a U.S. passport in person, evidence of U.S. citizenship must be submitted with Form DS-11. All documentation submitted as citizenship evidence will be returned to you. These documents will be delivered with your newly issued U.S. passport or in a separate mailing.

If you were born in the United States and cannot present primary evidence of U.S. citizenship, visit the following site on the Internet: travel.state.gov. The following will not be accepted as evidence of U.S. citizenship: voter registration card; military discharge paper; social security card.

2. Identity documents. When applying for a U.S. passport in person, acceptable identification must be presented at the time of application. The following are acceptable:

Previously issued, undamaged, valid U.S. passport, OR
Naturalization Certificate, OR
Valid Driver's License, OR
Current Government ID (city, state or federal), OR
Current Military ID (military and dependents)

If you do not have primary identification, visit travel.state.gov on the Internet.

3. 2 passport photos. Visit travel.state.gov for details onhoto requirements. On-site service available for $15.

What will it cost me? CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY!

What Are You Applying For? (In Person)

Application Fee: Make Payable to "Department of State"

Execution Fee: Paid separate to the facility where you are applying

Total Amount You Pay

Passport Book (Age 16 & Older)

App Fee: $75.00 Exec Fee: $25.00 TOTAL: $100.00

Passport Book (Under Age 16)

App Fee: $60.00 Exec Fee: $25.00 TOTAL: $85.00

Passport Card (Age 16 & Older)

App Fee: $20.00 Exec Fee: $25.00 TOTAL: $45.00

Passport Card (Under Age 16)

App Fee: $10.00 Exec Fee: $25.00 TOTAL: $35.00

How long will it take?

4-6 weeks…expedited service in 2-3 weeks is available for an additional fee.

US PASSPORT FAIR

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative goes into effect June 1, 2009, and requires US citizens to have an approved travel document when crossing the border. A US passport or US passport card is one of these approved documents.

Apply for yours at one of the upcoming passport fairs:

Thursday, May 28, 2009, at the San Ysidro Community Center at 663 E San Ysidro Blvd., San Ysidro
9 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

OR

Friday, May 29, 2009, at the Comfort Suites, 2351 Otay Center Rd., Otay Mesa
9 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

US State Department officials will be on hand to accept your applications

US Customs and Border Protection officials will be on-site to answer your questions about requirements to cross the border.

They realize that some people have to cross during the period while the passport or passport application is pending. So do everything in duplicate, and when you turn in your application, have one stamped "received" and then you will have 4-6 weeks to be able to cross with the stamped copy of your application and your other identifications, or copies thereof.

Just remember that you only have the normal processing time when this excuse will work.

Then come on down!