U.S. Postal Service Announces Tips for Passport Application Process

More Than 5900 Post Offices Offer Passport Acceptance Service

DENVER, CO — The U.S. Postal Service reminds everyone that the price of a passport book application has increased by $3 effective Feb. 1, per the U.S. State Dept., which oversees the U.S. passport program. All passport applications are mailed to the U.S. State Dept. for review and approval.

For customers ages 16 and older, the total application cost of a passport book is now $100 instead of its previous $97. A passport book application for people ages 15 and younger now costs $85 total vs. $82 before. The validity period of a passport for 16 and older customers is 10 years. The validity period of a passport for 15 and younger customers is five years.

Customers can find out more about the passport application process at the Dept. of State website at www.travel.state.gov or at usps.com/passport. Passport acceptance services are conveniently offered at more than 5900 Post Offices nationwide. Customers can call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or go to usps.com to find a passport Post Office near you and its service hours.

The Postal Service recommends you apply for your passport at least two months before your departure, although the application period can be expedited. It generally takes an average time of from four to six weeks for your passport application to be processed and reviewed by the State Dept., and then to have your passport book be delivered to you.

If you need your passport in less than 6 weeks, your application can be expedited for an additional $60 fee for each application, payable to the Department of State. With the expedited process, delivery time is usually from three to four weeks.

The Postal Service recommends bringing the following items to your passport service Post Office, to save you time and convenience, and to help your passport application process go smoothly:

• Bring proper proof of American citizenship. This must be either: a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state; a previous U.S. passport; a certificate of citizenship; or a naturalization certificate. (Note: a hospital-issued birth certificate alone is not acceptable.)
• Bring proof of identity. This must be either: a previous U.S. passport; a naturalization certificate; a certificate of citizenship; or a current valid driver’s license, government ID or military photo ID.
• The passport application requires two recent identical photographs. If you don’t have photos, photo services will be available for $15 for each application payable to the Post Office.
• To save time, you can download a passport application at usps.com/passport and complete it beforehand. Passport applications must be made in person and cannot be made online.