What is a Passport Acceptance Agent fee?

As part of the process to get your first passport, replace your lost passport, or get a passport for your child, you will need to visit a Passport Acceptance Facility.  There you will have your passport application reviewed by a trained government employee. These Passport Acceptance Facilities are often located in Post Offices or courthouses, and sometimes in other government buildings like public libraries.

At the Passport Acceptance Facility, the Passport Acceptance Agent will check that you have completed your passport application correctly and supplied the right supporting documentation. They will also verify your identity by looking at your current driver’s license or other official ID. Finally, they will seal your passport application documents into an envelope that may only be opened by State Department personnel. This process is called “execution.”

The US State Department sets the fee for this service. For many years, the Passport Acceptance Agent fee was $25, but it will soon increase to $35.

Why has the government increased the Passport Acceptance Agent fee?

The US State Department first proposed the $10 increase in execution fees for passports in 2016. They periodically compile a report called a “Cost of Service Model.” The most recent Cost of Service Model showed that it was costing more in labor and overhead to provide the Passport Acceptance service. The $10 fee increase is meant to cover the expense of providing this service, not to provide a profit.

What types of passport service require a Passport Acceptance Agent fee?

You will need to visit a Passport Acceptance Facility and pay the Passport Acceptance Agent fee if you are applying for any of these types of passport service:

• New Adult Passport – This service is for travelers age 16 or over, who either have never been issued a passport as an adult, or whose most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
• Minor Passport – Travelers under age 16 must use the minor passport procedure and visit a Passport Acceptance Agent, whether or not they have been previously issued a passport.
• Passport Replacement – If you need to replace a lost passport or a stolen passport, or if your current passport has been badly damaged, you’ll need to go to a Passport Acceptance Facility as part of the replacement process.

My whole family needs new passports. Do we each have to pay the Passport Acceptance Agent fee?

Yes, the Passport Acceptance Agent fee is charged for each traveler, not per family. That means that if you are visiting the Passport Acceptance Facility because you and your wife and three young children all need new passports, you will be charged five Passport Acceptance Agent fees, one for each of you.

Can I go to the Passport Acceptance Agent now to beat the fee increase, and send my passport application to G3 later?

It’s definitely a good idea to have your passport applications executed now, before the fee increases! However, you must send your sealed envelope with the passport application to G3 as soon as it is executed. Your passport application must be submitted to the Passport Agency within 5 business days of your visit to the Passport Acceptance Agent. If you wait too long to send it to G3, you will have to go back to the Passport Acceptance Facility and have your application re-executed… and you’ll have to pay the fee again!

The post Passport Acceptance Agent Fees to Rise by $10 appeared first on G3Passports.

How long will my new passport be valid?

Your new adult passport will be valid for ten years… or technically, ten years minus one day!  If your passport is issued on January 5, 2017, it will expire on January 4, 2027.

Although your passport will be valid for 10 years, we recommend that you don’t wait until the last minute to renew it.  Many countries require that you have at least six months validity remaining on your passport, so we suggest you renew your passport at least six months before it expires.

Do I have to submit my birth certificate to get a new passport?

An original copy of your birth certificate showing you were born in the US is a great way to prove your US citizenship when you apply for a new passport.  But there are other documents you can submit instead, such as your naturalization certificate or an old US passport.  Check out our article on proof of citizenship for more options and information.

Will I get my birth certificate back?

You might be worried about sending out your original birth certificate or naturalization certificate.  It is a valuable document!  But you will get it back when your new passport is issued.  One of the advantages of applying through G3Passports is that your original proof of citizenship will be sent back in the same FedEx package as your new passport.  If you apply for your passport directly through the Department of State, they mail back your birth certificate in a separate First Class envelope. You may need to wait a week or more for your proof of citizenship to show up!

What form is used to apply for a new passport?

You will use government form DS-11 to apply for your new passport.  This form is used for first-time applicants, minor applicants, and replacements of lost or stolen passports.  When you apply for expedited services through G3, you’ll need to fill out your DS-11 form online and print it out.  Check out our article to find out what information you’ll need to complete your application!

How can I get an appointment at a Passport Acceptance Facility?

Before you send your passport application to G3, you’ll need to go to a passport acceptance facility to have your new passport application sealed into an official envelope.  You can find locations near you at http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/.  This site will tell you whether the location you want to visit requires appointments.  If an appointment is needed, just call the phone number provided to schedule your visit.

Not all facilities require appointments.  In our experience, many acceptance facilities in government offices like Clerk of the Court offices provide walk-in service.  Most acceptance facilities in Post Offices do require appointments.

How quickly can I get a new passport?

With G3Passports.com, you can get a new passport in as little as two business days with our Mission Critical service!

Do you have any other passport questions?  Ask us below!

The post New Adult Passport Questions and Answers appeared first on G3Passports.

Parental Consent for Teenager’s Passports

Until your child’s 16th birthday, getting a US passport requires the specific consent of both parents.  You can give your consent for your child’s passport by accompanying your child to the Passport Acceptance Agent.  If both parents go in person to the Passport Acceptance Facility, great!  If one of you can’t go, you’d have to sign and notarize form DS-3053, the official Statement of Consent.

For teens age 16 and 17, full parental consent is not required.  What’s needed instead is called “parental awareness.”  16- and 17- year-olds need to show that their parents know that they have applied for a passport.  There are two ways to demonstrate parental awareness for your teenager’s passport request:

• Accompany your teen to the Passport Acceptance Agent.
• Write a letter addressed to “US Department of State, Passport Agency” stating that you wish for your child to be issued a passport.  This letter should be signed in ink.  Submit a copy of your passport or driver’s license along with the letter.

Under State Department regulations, teens age 16 or 17 only need to show parental awareness from one parent, but in our experience, it’s better to have it from both parents.  Some Passport Acceptance Agents are over-cautious and unwilling to execute passport applications from teens unless than have confirmation from both parents.

Identification Requirements for Teen Passport Applicants

When your teen goes to the Passport Acceptance Facility, they will need to show official identification. The following documents can all be used as proof of identity:

• State issued driver’s license
• State issued learner’s permit
• State issued non-driver ID
• Passport book (even if recently expired)
• Passport card (even if expired)

If your teen doesn’t have any of those official IDs, they will need to submit a combination of secondary forms of identification, such as a school ID card, Social Security Card, work ID card, health insurance card, or club membership card.

Passport Renewals for Teens

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a passport renewal for a teenager.  Even if your teen has a passport that was issued before he or she turned 16, it can’t be renewed.  Instead, the new adult passport process must be used.  Only passports that were issued after the applicant turned 16 can be renewed.

The good news is that you’ll only need to go through this once. By the time your teenager’s passport expires, he’ll be well over age 18 and able to get a new passport via the much simpler passport renewal process!

The post Teenager’s Passports: How to Get a New Passport for Teens Age 16-17 appeared first on G3Passports.

Birth Certificate Requirements for US Passports

You’ll need to make sure that the birth certificate you submit with your passport application meets all the following criteria:

• Issued by a US state, city, or territory.  You must submit a government-issued birth certificate.  Hospital-issued birth certificates or other commemorative certificates won’t work.
• Original document with a raised seal. When we say “original,” we don’t necessarily mean the very first copy that your parents got when you were a baby!  You need to submit a certificate issued by the government agency, with a raised seal.  Photocopies, scans, or photographs are not accepted.
• “Long Form” certificate showing your parents’ names.  Some states have an option for a “short form” or card-sized birth certificate.  These aren’t accepted for passport applications.  You need to have a “long form” certificate that shows your parents’ names.  (Don’t have a father listed?  That’s OK.  As long as the certificate has a space for the father’s name, it’s fine if that space has been left blank.)
• Shows birth in a US state, federal district, or territory. Yes, if you were born in Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, you can use your birth certificate to get a US passport!

When you go to the Passport Acceptance Facility, the Passport Acceptance Agent will be checking your birth certificate to ensure it meets all these requirements.

How to Get Your Birth Certificate

It’s an important document… but that doesn’t mean it won’t get lost!  Many passport applicants have trouble locating their original birth certificate.  Luckily, there are a few simple ways to get an official copy.

• Visit the Vital Statistics Office in your state of birth. If you are still in your state of birth, you can go in person to the Vital Statistics Office.  For a small fee, they will print out original copies of your birth certificate for you.  You’ll need to have proof of identity, such as your driver’s license.  While you’re at it, you might as well get two copies of your birth certificate — most places give a discount if you get two copies, and both will be completely official original documents.
• Write to the Vital Statistics Office. Most locales allow you to order your birth certificate by mail.  Processing may take a while, so this is not the best option if you’re in a hurry to apply for your new passport!  Make sure to check the ordering instructions closely.  You may need to pay via money order, or submit a photocopy of your valid ID.
• Order your birth certificate online. You can order your birth certificate right now, without even leaving your chair!  VitalChek.com is a reputable website that works with US government agencies to get you your official birth certificate quickly and easily.

What If Your Name Has Changed?

Your birth certificate was issued when you were a newborn baby.  You’re applying for your first passport as an adult.  It’s quite likely that your legal name has changed!  If your name has legally changed through marriage, divorce, or court order, you’ll need to submit an original copy of the marriage certificate, divorce degree, or court order to prove your new legal name.

The post Get Your Birth Certificate for Your New Passport appeared first on G3Passports.

The fees for your new passport will be made up of several different parts:

• Execution Fee
• Passport Book Fee
• Government Fee for Rush Passport
• G3Passports Service Fee

Execution Fee

One of your first steps in getting a new passport will be to go to a Passport Acceptance Facility to have your application reviewed by a Passport Acceptance Agent.  Your passport application and supporting documents will be sealed into an official envelope that can only be opened by Passport Agency personnel.  This process is known as “executing” the application.  You’ll need to pay a $25 fee for this service, directly to the Passport Acceptance Facility.

Passport Book Fee

The main part of your passport fees is the government fee for your passport book.  For applicants age 16 and over, the US government charges a base fee of $110.  This actually contains two separate fees: $70 for the passport book fee and $40 for the Passport Book Security Surcharge.  This surcharge goes towards all of the enhanced security features that have been added to passports since 2006.  Those extra security features include RFID chips and the shiny polycarbonate coating over your passport information page.

Government Fee for Rush Passport

If you’re getting your passport with G3Passports.com, you’re getting your passport in a hurry!  The government charges an extra $60 for all passport books that need to be issued in less than three weeks.  Every service that we offer is a rush service that we hand-carry in to the Passport Agency for quick processing.  This is why the government passport book fee you see listed on our site is $170, because it includes the $60 government rush fee.

G3Passports Service Fee

When you apply through G3Passports.com, you’ll have three options for passport processing speed – fast, faster, and fastest!  We call these three speeds Expedited, Priority, and Mission Critical.  The service fees you’ll pay to G3 depend on what processing speed you choose:

• Expedited Service will have your passport completed in 7-10 business days, and has a service fee of $95.
• Priority Service will have your passport completed in 4-6 business days, and has a service fee of $185.
• Mission Critical Service will have your passport completed in no more than 2-3 business days, and has a service fee of $245.

You’ll also need to include a shipping fee in your payment to G3 — this covers the cost of sending your new passport to you via secure Federal Express delivery.

How to Pay Passport Fees

• Execution Fees are paid at the Passport Acceptance Agent.  Some locations accept credit cards, but most require that you pay by check.
• Government Fees of $170 are paid by check or money order payable to “US Department of State.”  You’ll need to have this check with you at the Passport Acceptance Agent.  Your check for government passport fees will be sealed in to your official envelope.
• G3 Service Fees are paid by credit card when you submit your order online.  Easy!

The post Understanding Passport Fees for New Passports appeared first on G3Passports.

What is a Passport Acceptance Agent?

Passport Acceptance Agents are government employees who have taken on additional duties for the US State Department’s Office of Passport Services. They provide basic passport services to US citizens on a local level.

What Do Passport Acceptance Agents Do?

Passport Acceptance Agents play a critical role in the beginning of your passport application process. They provide a service called “execution.” Don’t worry, it’s painless! The Passport Acceptance Agent will look over your passport application and make sure you have all the documents you need. He or she will check your identification and your birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. Then, the Passport Acceptance Agent will administer an oath and ask you to sign your passport application. Your passport application and supporting documents will then be sealed into an official envelope that may only be opened by State Department personnel.

Where Can You Find a Passport Acceptance Agent?

The majority of Passport Acceptance Agents are located in US Post Offices. They are also stationed in some other government facilities, like courthouses, public libraries, or city halls.

To find a convenient location, use the State Department’s Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page. You can search using your zip code or the name of your town. You may want to consider looking for a Passport Acceptance Agent near your office or your child’s school. Some Passport Acceptance Agents require appointments.

Tips for a Successful Visit to the Passport Acceptance Agent

• Bring all your required documents. Double-check the list provided by G3Passports.com! If you are missing a document, you will need to come back at another time.
• If you are applying for a passport for your child age 15 or younger, both parents need to go to the Passport Acceptance Agent with the child. If only one parent can go, the other parent will need to complete Form DS-3503 and have it notarized.
• Bring your checkbook. You’ll need to pay a $25 fee to the Passport Acceptance Agent.
• Tell them you are using a passport expediting service. Don’t let them mail in your sealed envelope! You will need to get your sealed envelope from the Passport Acceptance Agent so you can send it to G3 for rush passport processing.

The post What is a Passport Acceptance Agent? appeared first on G3Passports.