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!

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Child Passport Replacement – Which Service Should You Choose?

Children age 15 and younger are issued minor passports, valid for 5 years. Once your child turns 16, she is eligible for an adult passport valid for 10 years. When you replace a minor passport that has been lost, stolen, or mutilated, the type of passport your child will be issued will be determined by how old she is when you apply for the replacement.

If you need to replace the passport of a child age 15 or younger, please choose our minor passport service.

If your child is now age 16 or older, select the appropriate replacement service: lost passport, stolen passport, or mutilated passport replacement.

Passport Applications for Child Passport Replacement

You’ll need to prepare passport application form DS-11 to replace your child’s mutilated, stolen, or lost passport. On this application, you’ll be asked for details of your child’s most recently issued passport. If the passport is lost or stolen, and you don’t have the passport number, you can fill in “000000000” as the passport number, and provide your best guess at the issue and expiration date. But it’s best if you can provide the exact details of the missing passport. (This is why we always urge you to keep photocopies of your passports!)

Do not sign Form DS-11 until you get to the Passport Acceptance Agent!

In order to replace a lost or stolen passport, you’ll also need to submit Form DS-64. This form is an official statement on how the passport went missing. It will automatically be generated when you fill out the online passport application form.

If you are doing a child passport replacement because your child’s passport is badly damaged, you will need to write a statement explaining how the passport was damaged. This letter should be signed by the parents. Older children may also sign the statement, in addition to their parents.

What If the Whole Family Needs Replacement Passports?

We hope you never find yourself in this situation! But if you find yourself the victim of a fire, flood, or theft, you might need to replace everyone’s passport at once.

You can place multiple orders with G3passports.com, so we can help you get your new passports quickly. You will need to place a separate order for each person in your family.

When you go to the Passport Acceptance Facility, let the agent know that you will be using a passport expediting service. Make sure they seal everyone’s applications into separate envelopes, one for each member of your family.

If you have more questions, just let us know! We are here to help.

The post Child Passport Replacement – What to Do if a Passport is Lost, Stolen, or Damaged appeared first on G3Passports.

It doesn’t matter how your passport gets lost while you are traveling. You’re going to have to replace as soon as possible. You won’t be able to board your flight home without a passport!

Here’s what to do to replace a lost passport overseas.

Step 1: Locate the Nearest US Embassy or Consulate

You will need to go to a US Embassy or US Consulate to have your passport replaced. US Embassies are located in the capital cities of most countries. In many countries, there are also US Consulates in other major cities outside the capital. You can look up US Embassy and Consulate locations at www.usembassy.gov.

Step 2: Call the US Embassy or Consulate

Once you’ve looked up the most conveniently located US Embassy or Consulate, call them and ask to speak to the US Citizen Services department. Explain that your passport has been lost or stolen, and find out the answers to the following questions:

• When can you come in to apply for a lost passport replacement? Do you need to make an appointment?
• Do you need to file a police report?
• What forms of payment do they accept for the passport fees?
• How long will it take for your new passport to be issued? Will it be issued while you wait, or do you need to come back to pick it up on another day?

If your passport gets lost on the weekend, you may need to wait until Monday to contact the Embassy or Consulate. Their offices will be closed over the weekend. However, if you have a serious emergency (like a violent crime, or a life-or-death emergency requiring you to fly back to the US), there are after-hours duty officers you can call for assistance.

Step 3: Gather the Required Documents

Before you go to the US Embassy or US Consulate, gather up all the documents you will need to replace your lost passport overseas.

You will need:

• US Passport Forms DS-11 (Application for a New Passport) and DS-64 (Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport). If you have access to a computer and printer, you can fill these forms out online and print them. Don’t sign them until you get to the Embassy or Consulate! No access to a computer? No problem. You can fill these forms out by hand when you get to the Embassy.
• One passport-style photo. Your photo should be 2″ x 2″, showing you looking straight forward against a white background. Do not wear glasses or hats in the photo. In most tourist areas, you should be able to easily find a photo shop that can take your photo. Having trouble locating a photo facility? The US Embassy/Consulate will have recommendations for nearby options.
• Proof of identity, such as your driver’s license. Don’t have your license with you? Try to provide as many alternate identity documents as possible.
• Proof of US citizenship, such as your birth certificate or a copy of your lost passport. (This is why we always recommend making copies of your passport! It’s a good idea to travel with an extra copy, and leave another at home with a trusted friend or relative who could send it to you if needed.)
• Travel itinerary showing your departure from the country.
• Passport fees.
• Police report, if you have one.

If you don’t have every one of these items, the consular staff will still work with you to help you get a passport in time for your departure. You may be issued a limited validity passport if you don’t have proper ID or citizenship documents, or if your replacement passport is issued on an emergency basis.

Step 4: Travel Home with Your New Passport

If the replacement you were issued for your lost passport overseas was issued for 10 years validity (or 5 years, for kids under age 16), you can treat your new passport just like any other passport.

However, if you were issued a limited validity passport, you’ll need to re-apply to get a full validity passport. You must do this within one year of the date your replacement passport was issued. The passport re-application is done using the same procedure as a passport name change. The good news is, if you apply within one year, you don’t have to pay the government passport book fee again!

G3 Passports can help you with your passport re-application, so you can have a full validity passport back in your hands quickly.

The post Lost Passport Overseas… How to Replace it Quickly appeared first on G3Passports.

Why Do I Need to Provide Identification to Replace My Stolen Passport?

As part of the process to replace your stolen passport, you will need to appear in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility. It’s the responsibility of the Passport Acceptance Agent to make sure you are who you say you are! Most people who are applying for a first-time adult passport or a replacement for a lost, stolen, or damaged passport use a driver’s license for their proof of identity. Since your driver’s license is gone with the wind, you’ll need to find a different form of identification.

Alternative Proof of Identity

If you’ve lost both your passport and your driver’s license, you’re going to need to prove your identity in a different way. There are two different ways to submit proof of identity to get a passport. The easiest way is to provide a document that’s considered “primary identification.” This would be a government-issued document that has your name and photograph. If you don’t have any other primary identification, you can bring multiple items with your name to serve as “secondary identification.”

Primary Identification to Replace Your Stolen Passport

You can use one of the following items as primary identification instead of a driver’s license.

• Expired or cancelled US Passport. Do you still have your previous US passport? Great! You can use this to prove both your identity and your US citizenship. But keep in mind this should be a relatively recent passport, so the photo will still look like you. Don’t try to use the passport you got when you were in elementary school!
• Passport Card. If you’ve got a valid or expired US passport card, this is a great way to prove your identity.
• Valid Military ID. Are you an active member of the US Military, or a military dependent? You can use your government-issued military ID card.
• Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship. Since these documents include your photo, you can use them as proof of identity as well as proof of US citizenship.
• Government Employee ID. Do you work for the federal, state, or local government? You can use your government employee ID badge to apply for your replacement passport.

Secondary Identification Options

Your driver’s license was stolen. You don’t have an old passport to submit, or any of the other primary identification options. What do you do now? Gather as many documents as you can to serve as secondary proof of identity. You’ll want to look for items that list your name. The more official the organization that issued the document, the better. Ideally, you also want documents that show your photo or other personally identifiable information like your birth date. Here are some ideas of the kinds of documents you can use for secondary identification:

• Social Security card
• Employee ID
• Professional license (such as a medical license or beautician’s license)
• Trusted Traveler Card (Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI)
• Student ID
• Learner’s permit or temporary driver’s license
• Expired driver’s license
• Voter registration card
• Medicare or health insurance card
• Welfare card
• Foreign passport (even expired)
• Selective Service (draft) registration
• Union membership card
• Membership card for a club, gym, or social organization
• Credit card or bank records for the past year
• Copy of your lease or mortgage
• Income tax records or W-2 forms for the past year
• School diplomas or yearbooks
• Newspaper or magazine articles that show your name and photo
• Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or your childrens’ birth certificates
• Baptismal certificate or other religious records

Try to bring as many items as you can – we recommend at least five! You’ll need to bring the original documents as well as photocopies of each item.

The post Proof of Identity Options if Your Passport and License are Stolen appeared first on G3Passports.

Protect Your Passport from Getting Lost

Every year, far more passports are lost than are stolen. It’s expected that more than 200,000 Americans will report the loss of their passport this year!

Follow our tips to make sure you don’t become part of that number.

1. Keep Your Passport Safe at Home

At G3, we’ve heard a lot of stories of how passports got lost. By far, the most common scenario is that passports are misplaced at home!

Make sure to designate a secure spot to store your passport, and make it a place that you can remember! A fireproof box or filing cabinet are good options to store your passport between trips. The most important thing is to always return your passport to the same storage spot. No matter how tired you are when you get home from a trip, put your passport away as soon as you get in! Don’t leave it in your bag or your jacket, where you might forget it.

2. Keep Your Passport Safe When Moving

We’ve also had many travelers tell us that their passports were lost when they were moving house. It’s understandable — moving is a major endeavor, with a lot of stuff to keep track of! But when you need your passport to travel, you don’t want it to be just “in a box somewhere.”

As you pack, set aside a special box for your most important documents, such as passports, birth certificates, and financial records. Make this one of the items that you move yourself, rather than packing it on a moving van. Once you get to your new home, find a secure spot to store your passport and other key papers.

3. Keep Your Passport Safe While Traveling

The one time you can’t keep your passport securely tucked away is while you are traveling! We’ve also known travelers to misplace their passports while they are in transit. At the airport, you’ll need to pull your passport out many times. Choose a place to keep your passport where it will be accessible but secure from falling out and getting lost. For instance, it’s much safer to keep your passport in a deep inner pocket of your jacket than a shallow front pocket. Put it back in that safe spot every time, and you’ll save yourself a lot of frantic pat-downs!

Protect Your Passport From Theft

Passport thefts are far less common than lost passports, but they do happen. Although it’s not unknown for thieves to specifically try to steal passports, most passports are stolen by thieves who are quickly trying to grab your money or other valuables. In a British Government survey of tourists who had their passports stolen, 40% of thefts were bag snatchings!

Here are some tips to keep your passport safe from being stolen:

• At home, keep your passport in a locked cabinet, or hidden away from other valuables.
• When traveling, keep your passport separate from your wallet. Consider keeping it in the safe in your hotel room rather than carrying it.
• Do not carry your passport in your back pocket or in the outer pocket of a backpack, where it would be an easy target for pickpockets.
• For maximum security when carrying your passport, use a traveler’s wallet that is kept under your clothes.
• If you carry your passport in your bag, keep a close eye on your bag. Don’t leave it slung over the back of a chair. In areas with a higher level of street crime, consider carrying your bag cross-body rather than over your shoulder.
• Take particular care when you are in crowded tourist spots or on public transportation.

We understand that no matter how careful you are, passports can still get lost or stolen. If you need a replacement, G3 is here to help!

The post Keep Your Passport Safe from Loss or Theft! appeared first on G3Passports.

We’re here to help guide you through your first steps to report and replace your stolen passport.

Are Police Reports Necessary?

First things first: you’ll be able to replace your stolen passport even if you don’t file a police report. It’s recommended that you report your stolen passport to the police, but ultimately it’s up to you to decide whether you want to file a report with the local police. However, we would strongly recommend that you file a police report if you find yourself in any of the following situations.

• You have been the victim of a violent crime. If your passport was stolen as part of a violent mugging, beating, or carjacking, these serious crimes should be reported to the police.
• All of your identification documents were stolen. Did pickpockets manage to get your driver’s license and Social Security Card in addition to your passport? Or did a thorough burglar steal your passport and other important documents like your birth certificate? If you’ve lost multiple forms of identification, reporting the robbery to the police is a very good idea, as you’re at higher risk for future identity theft.
• You were also robbed of other valuables. You should alert the police if thieves also stole credit cards, jewelry, or other valuables.

Please note that if your passport was simply lost and not stolen, you shouldn’t file a police report. Misplacing your passport inside your home or forgetting it on the train is not a crime!

Reporting Your Stolen Passport to the State Department

Whether you file a police report or not, you do need to report your passport loss to the US Department of State. It’s important to do this as soon as you know your passport has been stolen. The State Department will cancel your passport number and mark your passport as stolen in the official systems. That means that no one else can use your stolen passport for travel, or to get a new passport.

There are a few ways to report your stolen passport to the State Department.

• Are you replacing your stolen passport right away? You will need to fill out a passport application online in order to replace your stolen passport. As part of that online application, you’ll be asked questions about how your passport was lost. You’ll be able to explain how your passport was stolen. These questions will be used to fill out Form DS-64. Form DS-64 is the statement on a lost or stolen passport. This form will be submitted to the State Department electronically when you fill out the online passport application. You’ll also get a copy to print, sign, and include with your passport replacement application.
• If you are not replacing your passport right away, you still need to report your passport stolen to protect yourself from identity theft.  You can do this by:
  • Filing Form DS-64 online.
  • Calling the US State Department at 877-487-2778.
  • Filling out a paper copy of Form DS-64 and mailing it to the address on the form.

How Can G3Passports.com Help?

We’ll make sure that your stolen passport doesn’t stop you from making your next trip! We can replace your passport in as little as two days. Our experts are also available via phone, email, and web chat to help you figure out your next steps.

The post Do You Need to File a Police Report for Your Stolen Passport? appeared first on G3Passports.

Most Common Reason for a Stolen Passport: Pickpockets

Even in the safest cities, pickpockets can be a problem.  Petty thieves love to target distracted tourists, looking for an opportunity to grab a wallet, phone, camera, or passport.  A pickpocket could strike anywhere, but you’re most at risk when you’re at a crowded tourist attraction or using public transportation.   Luckily, with a little forethought, you can keep your passport safe from thieves!

• Don’t keep your passport in your back pocket, or in the outer pocket of your backpack.  Pickpockets have that name for a reason — they are amazingly good at slipping your belongings out of your pocket without you feeling a thing!
• Don’t sling your bag over the back of a chair.  It’s too easy for a thief to grab the bag, or just brush by and yank your wallet out of your bag.
• Beware of distractions. Pickpockets often work in pairs or teams. One will distract you by bumping in to you, spilling something on you, or handing you a flower or card.  Meanwhile, their partner in crime will be robbing you of anything they can grab!
• Do use a traveler’s security wallet to store your passport, credit cards, and cash under your clothes.  We know, they’re not the coolest accessory, but spending part of your trip at the police station and US Embassy isn’t cool either!  There are many different kinds of traveler’s security wallets, including ones to be worn around the waist, the neck, or even around your leg. Another good option is to keep your passport in the inner pocket of a coat that you’ll keep buttoned or zippered… but don’t leave that hanging over the back of a chair!

If your passport is stolen while you are in the United States, G3passports.com can help you replace your stolen passport quickly.  However, if your passport is stolen while you are overseas, you will need to visit a US Embassy or US Consulate to have a new passport issued before you fly home.

Most Common Reason for a Mutilated Passport:  Water Damage

If you’ve taken our advice about keeping your passport in the inner pocket of your jacket, make sure you take it out before you do your laundry!  Believe it or not, one of the most common reasons for a mutilated passport replacement is because the passport has gone through the washing machine and the dryer.  The US State Department has been steadily improving the design of passports to make them more impervious to damage, but water damage is still a serious concern.  We have seen water-damaged passports that were considered mutilated because mildew grew under the plastic coating of the information page, or because the binding of the cover became loose.  If you have any visas in your passport, those are even more susceptible to water damage.  The ink on your visa can easily run, or the water can loosen the glue, causing your visa sticker to fall out.

In addition to keeping your passport out of the washing machine, we recommend using a plastic or vinyl passport cover to help keep your passport dry in case it’s ever caught out in the rain.

G3passports.com can help you determine if your damaged passport is in bad enough shape to need the mutilated passport replacement procedure.  If your passport is only lightly damaged, you may be able to do an early passport renewal instead.

Most Common Reason for a Lost Passport: Misplaced at Home

We can’t tell you how often we’ve spoken to travelers who have lost their passports inside their own homes!  “It’s around here somewhere,” they’ll say, but with an international trip rapidly approaching, they may wind up having to do a lost passport replacement if the passport can’t be found.  We always encourage travelers to do a thorough search before starting the replacement process, because once you have reported your passport lost, it will be cancelled.  Even if you find your passport the next day, you won’t be able to use it for travel.

The simple solution is to designate a place that you always store your passport between trips.  As soon as you get home, put your passport away in the same safe place as before.  This will help keep it out of the washing machine, too!

The post Keep Your Passport Safe! appeared first on G3Passports.