Passport Assistance

If you need help applying for a passport, renewing a passport, or checking on an already submitted passport application, this page serves as a guide to help you navigate those processes. If you have any questions or need any additional assistance with this process, please do not hesitate to contact one of our district offices.

Where are Passports Required?

Passport books are required for all U.S. citizens who are traveling in or out of the country by air. If you are a U.S. citizen traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or Caribbean countries by land or sea, you can use a passport card to exit and re-enter the country. 

Please be sure to check the passport requirements for your destination country as some may have specific requirements regarding the expiration date of travelers’ passports. You can search the specific country you are traveling to to view its passport and other requirements here.

Passport Applications

U.S. passports – as well as passport cards – can be obtained through the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Passport Services. Click here to view their website where you can download application forms and find answers to many common questions. If you prefer to pick up an application form in-person, you can use this website to find your nearest Passport Acceptance Facility, which is usually your local post office or municipal office.

To apply for a passport, you will need to attach the required documents to your application materials upon submission. These documents include proof the applicant was born in the United States or proof the applicant was born outside the United States, proof of identity, a recent color photograph, proof of parental relationship (for applicants under age 16), and the passport application fee. To see which documents qualify for each category, you can check the requirements on the passport application form specific to the type of passport you are applying for, which can be found here.

Passport Processing Times

To ensure that you receive your passport in time for your travel, be sure to apply early. If you need your passport sooner than normal processing times, you can choose to expedite your passport application, which can be done either before or after your application is submitted. Currently, routine passport processing times are between 10 to 13 weeks and expedited passport processing times are between 7 to 9 weeks. Processing times are constantly changing. You can check the most up-to-date processing times here. If you are applying for or renewing your passport and the date of your travel is sooner than these processing times allow, please DO NOT submit your passport application via normal routes and, instead, consult the Passport Emergencies section of this page.

If you have already submitted your passport application, you can check your application status here. You can also call the National Passport Center to check your application status or ask any questions toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

Passport Emergencies

If you are traveling within the next two weeks or need a passport for a visa, you can make an appointment at a Passport Center. To obtain an appointment you will need to present proof of travel. The two closest centers to our district are the National Passport Center in Portsmouth, NH and the Boston Passport Agency in Boston, MA. To apply for a passport at a Passport Agency, you can call 1-877-487-2778 toll-free.

If you have any questions or need any additional assistance with this process, please do not hesitate to contact one of our district offices.