How to get a passport in Philadelphia

Getting a passport is one of the more headache-inducing systems in the federal government, but fortunately for travelers, the U.S. Department of State continues to reduce processing times through initiatives like digital passport renewal.

It can be expensive and you’ll have to gather some documents, but understanding the steps and what to expect can alleviate some of that difficulty. According to U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, taking the extra time now to prepare can save time and money in the long run on that next international trip.

Here’s a breakdown of what a passport is, what you can do with it, and how to get one, including renewing a passport online.

A passport is a federal form of ID that proves your identity and citizenship. It’s the form of ID that supersedes all other forms of ID in the U.S. With a passport, you can use it for anything a State ID or municipal ID can do and it can prove your citizenship abroad. The only thing it can’t do is give you permission to drive — you need a driver’s license for that.

If you want to travel internationally — yes. Otherwise, you don’t necessarily need a passport.

For instance, if you have REAL ID you don’t need a passport to travel within the U.S. or enter a federal facility. REAL ID works for that. Here’s how to get government ID, including REAL ID, in Philly.

If you’re traveling outside of the U.S. or its territories, then you need a passport. You don’t need a passport if you’re traveling within the U.S., American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Anywhere else, you need a passport.

Only U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals — which are people born in outlying U.S. territories mentioned above or who have parents who are non-citizen nationals — are able to get a U.S. passport.

You can apply for a passport at any Passport Acceptance Facility, which are commonly post offices and government buildings (see the list below). Many local post offices and city records offices are able to receive and process your application.

There is also a Philadelphia Passport Agency, however, you can only apply there with an appointment and if your reason for international travel is a “Life-or-Death” emergency or if you have urgent travel plans within 5 business days. If that is the case, call 877-487-2778 to make an appointment.

You can look for a Passport Acceptance Facility using the U.S. Department of States search tool.

You need to apply for one. You can do this in-person or by mail. However, if it’s your first time getting a passport — you have to apply in-person.

Apply in person:

Otherwise, if you’re just renewing your passport you can apply by mail.

Complete form DS-11. Download the form here or complete the form online and print it out using the U.S. Department of State’s form fill out tool. Do not sign this form until you’re at a Passport Acceptance Facility.

Bring your unsigned form to a Passport Acceptance Facility. You can find a facility near you by using the U.S. Department of State’s Passport Acceptance Facility Search Tool.

Bring the required documents with you. (See the below ‘What documents do I need to get a passport?’ section)

Bring payment for application and acceptance fees. You have to pay by check or money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “U.S. Department of State.”

You need to prove your U.S. citizenship, your identity, and provide a photo of yourself. U.S. Department of State needs both the originals or certified copies of your documents, and photocopies of the front and back of each document. Photocopies have to be on 8.5″ by 11″ paper, black and white ink, and both legible and clear. The photocopies can’t be double-sided. So you’ll provide the original documents and a photocopy of each.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship (one of the following):

Proof of Identity (one of the following):

Passport Photo:

For your passport photo, some Passport Acceptance Facilities have on-site photo services so you can get your photo taken while applying in-person for an additional fee.

You can renew your passport by online, by mail, or in person. You can renew your passport if your passport was issued after your 16th birthday and if it was issued within the past 15 years. You also don’t need to wait til your passport expires to renew it. If your passport was lost or stolen or if your name has changed since your last passport was issued and you don’t have a legal document (like a marriage license) to prove the legal name change, you have to reapply in person.

Once the U.S. Department of State prints your passport, they will mail everything back to you. This can take a couple of weeks and you may get your documents back in separate mail.

Create an account mytravel.state.gov. To complete the renewal application using your account, you’ll need your most recent passport, a digital photo, and a credit/debit card for payment.

The online application will walk you through the steps of entering the necessary information, confirming your eligibility, and providing a digital payment method. Video walkthroughs are available on the Department of State’s YouTube channel.

Online passport renewal eligibility:

Your best bet is enrolling in email updates. Subscribe for email updates about your application status and to learn more about each status update. And remember to be patient — it may take two weeks from day of applying until the “in process” status shows up.

All children under 16 years old have to apply in-person with two parents or guardians. If a child’s passport expires, they can’t renew it. They have to reapply in-person. Only people who were issued a passport at age 16 years or older can renew their passport.

There are four different considerations that determine how long it will take to get your passport: Emergency, Urgent Travel, Expedited, Routine processing.

Emergency: 72 hours

Urgent Travel: Must make an appointment and have international travel within 14 calendar days.

Expedited: Two to three weeks

Routine: Six to eight weeks

If you’re 16 years or older when you got your passport it lasts for 10 years. If you’re under 16 when you got your passport it lasts for five years.

There are two separate fees for getting your passport. The application fee and acceptance fee, which are paid for separately. The application fee is made payable to the “U.S. Department of State.” The acceptance fee is made payable to the Passport Acceptance Facility that you use. Check with the facility to see who you should make payment payable to for the acceptance fee.

If you’re over 16 and getting your passport for the first time:

If you’re under 16 and getting your passport for the first time:

If you’re renewing your passport:

If you need an urgent passport within two weeks of travel, you have to make an appointment to apply at the Philadelphia Passport Agency. Call 877-487-2778 to make an appointment. Your reasons for needing a passport urgently has to be a matter of “Life-or-Death” or you have urgent international travel in the next 5 business days.

You can also pay an additional $60 for expedited processing to get your passport within five to seven weeks.

You have to reapply to get one. Follow the same process of getting your passport for the first time. You’ll have to go in-person to a Passport Acceptance Facility, complete form DS-11 for a passport application, and provide the necessary documents and fees.

You need to complete a new application, a renewal, or a name change form depending on your circumstances.

If you got your passport less than a year ago, you can complete a name change form. Fill out form DS-5504. Provide your most recent passport, your original or certified name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and an updated passport photo. You can mail these documents in through USPS or bring them to a Passport Acceptance Facility.

If you got your passport more than a year ago, you can renew your passport. Fill out form DS-82. Provide your most recent passport, your original or certified name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and an updated passport photo. You also need to bring renewal fees.

If you’re already using your changed name, but can’t get a certified name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), you need to apply for a new passport. Follow the instructions above for getting your passport for the first time (See How to get a passport).

You can get your passport photo taken or you can take the photo yourself. Often times, the easiest way to get passport photo is to apply for a passport at a Passport Acceptance Facility that offers passport photo services, like the United States Postal Service. You can also look for passport photo services at your local pharmacy, photo business, and other places that offer photo services.

You can take your own passport photo. You have to make sure that your photo adheres to U.S. Department of State guidelines:

Yes. However, according to the U.S. Department of State, federal or state law enforcement agencies can request that a passport application be denied. Those agencies can also request for a passport to be revoked. Reasons can include an outstanding warrant of arrest, a criminal court order, a condition of parole or probation forbidding departure from the U.S.

So, yes, felons can apply and get a passport. But law enforcement agencies can deny that application.

Also worth noting: Passports do not grant access to freely leave the country or enter another country. A passport is simply an international form of ID that can be used to travel outside of the U.S. Many countries, including the U.S., do not allow people to enter the country who have been convicted of a felony or violent crime.