Alabama - Apply for Passport and Renewal

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Procedure

Applying in Person (First time applicants)

1. Complete, DS-11 Form (Application For A U.S. Passport). You may print the form and complete it by hand or you may use the online guide to fill out and print the form. Note: You must not sign the application until instructed to do so by the Acceptance Agent. You must provide your Social Security Number in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 6039E. Failure to provide information requested on the form, including your social security number, may cause significant processing delays and/or the denial of your application.
2. Submit the completed DS-11 Form in person at an authorized Passport Application Acceptance Facility or Passport Agency. Note: There are special submission requirements for all minors (below the age of 16).
3. Aside from the form, applicants will also need to submit evidence of U.S citizenship. All documentation submitted as citizenship evidence will be returned to you. These documents will be delivered with your newly issued U.S. passport or in a separate mailing.
4. Present Identification. Applicants will also need to bring a photocopy of the front and back of each ID document that they will be presenting.
5. Pay the Applicable Fee
6. Provide One Passport Photo. Make sure that your photo meets all the requirements and is properly submitted with your application to avoid processing delays. When submitting Form DS-11 in person, your photo should not be attached to the form.
7. After your application has been processed, you may receive your newly issued passport book, newly issued passport card, and your citizenship documents in separate mailings.

Note: For those who are traveling internationally in less than 2 weeks or need to obtain a foreign visa within 4 weeks, it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment at a passport agency near you by calling National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. Search for the Nearest Passport Agency in your area.

Renewing your U.S. Passport Book

1. Complete DS-82 Form (Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail). You may print the form and complete it by hand or you may use the online guide to fill out and print the form.
2. Submit your most recent U.S. passport book and/or card. When submitting a U.S. passport book and/or card with the DS-82, please make sure that the document was issued at age 16 or older and issued within the past 15 years. Your old passport book and/or card will be returned to you by mail and may come in a separate mailing from your new passport.
3. If the name you are currently using differs from the name on your most recent U.S. passport, you must submit a certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order showing the change of name. All documents will be returned to you by mail.
4. Pay the applicable passport renewal fee. The $25.00 Execution Fee is not required when you are using Form DS-82. Enclose the fee in the form of a personal check or money order. Make checks payable to "U.S. Department of State." The full name and date of birth of the applicant must be typed or printed on the front of the check. Note: Please do not send Cash. The National Passport Processing Center will not be responsible for cash sent through the mail.
   Expedited Service: For an additional fee, you may request expedited service. Please include this fee in your payment. Expedited service is only available in the United States. It is recommended that you use overnight delivery when submitting the application. Please include the appropriate overnight delivery fees with your payment. Passports cannot be mailed overnight to Canada.
5. Provide One Passport Photo. Make sure that your photo meets all the requirements and is properly submitted with your application to avoid processing delays. When attaching your passport photo to Form DS-82, be sure you: Staple the photo to the application. Use 4 staples vertically in the corners as close to the outer edges as possible. Do not bend the photo.
6. Send your application. The mailing address is different for Expedited Service Requests and Routine Service Requests.

Expedite Service: Write "EXPEDITE" clearly on the outside of the mailing envelope and mail the completed application to:

National Passport Processing Center

Post Office Box 90955

Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955

Routine Service: Mail the completed application to:

National Passport Processing Center

Post Office Box 90155

Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155

Notes:

• Mailing your passport application:

If you are submitting your application by mail, it is strongly recommended that you sent the completed form and other personal documents in an envelope large enough to fit the application without folding. Please do not use a standard letter-size #10 (4 1/8" x 9 1/2") envelope. This will help to protect the contents of your mailing from the elements throughout the delivery process.

The National Passport Processing Cente

Eligibility

First-time applicants

All U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals may apply for a passport.

Renewing your U.S. Passport Book
You may renew your passport book by mail if you meet all of the following requirements:

Your Most Recent U.S. Passport:

• Is undamaged and can be submitted with your application;
• Was issued when you were age 16 or older;
• Was issued within the last 15 years; and
• Was issued in your current name or you can legally document your name change with original or certified copy of your marriage certificate or the government-issued document evidencing your legal name change.

Note: If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you must apply in person. All minors (age 15 and under) who have or have not had a passport in the past must also apply in person using DS-11 Form.

Instructions

First-time passport applicants must apply in person at any of a variety of local locations (including select post offices, clerk of court offices, and public libraries), or at regional passport agencies.

However, you should only apply at a regional agency if you're traveling within 14 days, or you need a foreign visa within four weeks. In either case, you must schedule an appointment for your visit by calling the automated appointment system at (877) 487-2778. There isn't an extra fee to make an appointment.

Even if this isn't your first U.S. passport, you'll need to apply in person if any of the following are true:

• You're younger than 16 years old.
• Your first U.S. passport was issued when you were younger than 16 years old.
• Your last U.S. passport was stolen, damaged, or lost.
• You obtained your last U.S. passport more than 15 years ago.
• You've changed your name after your last U.S. passport was issued and you can't provide legal documentation for your name change.

Be aware that all travelers?including infants and toddlers?must have their own passport.

Renewing your U.S. Passport Book

Check if you are eligible to renew to your passport by mail. If your most recent U.S. passport has been mutilated, altered, or damaged, you cannot apply by mail - you must apply for a new passport in person. If you are behind in child support payments, you may not be able to get a passport, check link to know more.

For those residing outside the United States:

• U.S. citizens residing abroad (except those living in Canada) should renew their passports at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. To know more about applying for a passport from abroad, see link.
• U.S. citizens residing in Canada may submit DS-82 Form: Application for U.S. Passport by Mail to the address listed on the form.

Passports renewed by mail in the United States may only be mailed to United States and Canadian addresses.

Required Information

• Applicant's complete name
• Date of Birth
• Sex
• Place of Birth (City & State if in the U.S., or City & Country as it is presently known.)
• Social Security Number
• Email Address
• Primary Contact Phone Number
• Mailing Address
• List all other names you have used
• Parental Information
• Height, Hair Color & Eye Color
• Date of Expiry
• Permanent Address
• Emergency Contact

Need for the Document

A passport is a document, issued by the national government. It certifies the identity and nationality of the holder for travel abroad. It contains information about the holder; like name, gender, date and place of birth.

This document does not in itself entitle the passport holder entry into another country, nor consular protection while abroad nor any other privileges. However, it does normally allows the passport holder to return to the country where the passport was issued.

Rights to consular protection arises from international treaties, while the holder's return to the issuing country depends on the laws prevailing in that country.

In the U.S., citizens may choose between obtaining a passport BOOK or CARD. You can use a U.S. passport card to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. You may not use your passport card for international travel by air. While the U.S. Passport Book can be used for international travel by air, sea, or land. See link for rules regarding travelling by air, sea and land.

Following are procedures on how you can apply for or renew your passport.