Frequently Asked Questions

No, you do not need separate appointments. You can book a single appointment per party or family. We will process everyone in your group during that time block.

Yes! We offer professional passport photo services that meet all strict U.S. Department of State requirements.

Most appointments are very quick! The best way to expedite your visit is to fill out your application online and print it before you arrive. Please ensure you bring all required documents, but do not sign your application until instructed to do so by our passport agent.

Yes! We offer free parking directly in front of our Mail Services location. For appointments at the Highlander Service Station, you will have to pay to park. The closest parking lots are Lot 1, Lot 15 and the Rivera Library.

If you are an adult eligible to renew by mail (using Form DS-82), standard passport acceptance facilities cannot legally process your paperwork. You must mail it directly to the State Department. However, we are happy to take your new passport photo and mail your documents! There is no facility processing fee for renewals; you simply pay the photo fee and the mailing charges.

Yes. Federal law requires that you include your Social Security number if you have one. Leaving this field blank may delay or result in the denial of your application, and the IRS may impose a penalty. If you need to obtain a Social Security number or card, contact the Social Security Administration.

Minors (Under 16 Years Old)

Yes. All minors who are 15 years old or younger must appear in person. In most cases, both parents or legal guardians must also be present to sign the application under oath. If one parent cannot be present, please review the requirements here and bring the appropriate forms to the appointment.

Minors (16–17 Years Old)

If your child is 16 or 17 years old, they must appear in person to apply for an adult passport, even if they had a passport as a child. They must also bring a filled-out Form DS-11 and all supporting documents, along with evidence that at least one parent/guardian knows they are applying for a passport. This evidence can include:

• A Parent/Guardian Attends the Appointment
  • The legal parent/guardian will also sign Form DS-11 and must bring a photocopy of their ID (or have us make one for you).
• A Parent/Guardian Signs a Note
  • ​​​​​​​The applicant brings a signed note from their legal parent/guardian stating they know their child is applying for a passport. They must also submit a photocopy of that parent or guardian’s ID.
• A Parent Pays the Fees
  • ​​​​​​​The applicant submits a check or money order to the U.S. Department of State in the name of their legal parent or guardian. 

Note: If it is unclear whether a parent/guardian is aware their child is applying, the U.S. Department of State may ask the applicant to submit a notarized statement Form DS-3053 from their parent or guardian. They will need to include a photocopy of that parent or guardian's ID.

Visit our How To Apply page for photo requirements. Or, take the stress off and have us take the photo for you!

Accessing Our Office

Our passport office is fully accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

Taking Photos

Hearing aids and cochlear implants are permitted in your passport photo.

If you have difficulty facing forward or keeping your eyes open, our staff is happy to assist. Simply bring a signed statement from a licensed medical professional, and we will work with you to accommodate your needs.

Application Process

If you are unable to speak or have difficulty speaking:

• You are not required to respond to the oath verbally and may sign the application instead.

If you are unable to write or have difficulty writing:

• You may use the State Department's online Form DS-11 Filler tool to complete and print your application, or ask someone you trust to fill it out for you.
• If you are able to make a mark (such as an "X"), that can serve as your signature. If your ID or previous passport shows a written signature rather than a mark, please bring a witness to your appointment who can confirm the mark is yours. The witness must present a valid, government-issued photo ID.
• If you are unable to make a mark, please bring someone with legal authority to sign on your behalf, along with documentation of that authority, such as a guardianship order or power of attorney.

For a new, in-person passport application (Form DS-11), you must bring:

1. Your completed, printed and unsigned application form.
2. Proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate).
   • You must bring both the original AND a photocopy. If you do not have a photocopy, we can make a copy for you for $1 per copy.
3. A valid photo ID (like a driver's license) and a photocopy of the front and back.
   • You must bring both the original AND a photocopy. If you do not have a photocopy, we can make a copy for you for $1 per copy.
4. Your passport photo (or have one taken with us).
5. The required passport fees.
   • Execution fees to UCR can be combined, but they must be paid separately from fees to the U.S. Department of State. Please note: Department of State fees must be paid by check or money order only. Execution fees must be paid by debit or credit card.

Include a signed and dated statement with your application containing the following declaration:

"I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I (or my child) have never been issued a Social Security number by the Social Security Administration."

Both parents or guardians are generally required to be present when applying for a passport for a child who is under 16. (For information on applying for passports for children who are 16–17 years old, please read the information provided here.) If that's not possible, additional documentation will be needed depending on your situation.

Note: Form DS-3053 and any other notarized statements must be submitted within three months of the date they were signed.

We recommend having a valid U.S. passport if you have family living or traveling abroad, are considering international travel or work in a role that may require it. It's always better to have one ready before you need it.

It generally takes about 2 weeks for your application to become trackable in the national system. Once it has begun processing, you can check your status anytime at PassportStatus.state.gov. If you provided an email address with your application, you will also receive automatic email updates.

Processing times are determined by the U.S. Department of State and begin the day they receive your application (not the day you apply). Processing times are subject to change, but currently they are:

• Routine Processing: 4 to 6 weeks
• Expedited Processing: 2 to 3 weeks (An additional government fee applies for expedited service.)

The cost depends on your age, whether you're applying for a passport book, card or both, and how quickly you need it. Review the Passport Rate Calculator for a full breakdown and accepted payment methods.

Call the U.S. Department of State at 1-877-487-2778 (or 1-888-874-7793 if you are deaf or hard of hearing). Have your application number, your last name and your date of birth ready. From there, you can request expedited expedited delivery of your completed passport book for an extra fee. (Note: Expedited delivery is not available for Passport Cards. Cards are sent via First Class Mail only.)

Applying for a passport requires two separate payments:

1. The Application Fee: Must be a personal check, cashier's check or money order made payable to the "U.S. Department of State."
2. The Execution/Facility Fee: This is paid directly to our facility. We accept credit/debit cards.

All first-time passport applicants pay two separate fees: A passport application fee to the U.S. Department of State and a facility acceptance fee to the location where you submit your application. The acceptance fee covers the cost of the services we provide to passport applicants.

The U.S. Department of State will return your original proof of citizenship (such as your birth certificate) by mail. It is normal for it to arrive in a separate mailing up to 8 weeks after you receive your new passport.

We take the security of your documents seriously. All applications and official documents processed at our facility are mailed out securely on the same day as your appointment.

You can apply for a passport book, passport card or both at the same time using a single application. Just indicate which document(s) you want on your form.

If you're renewing both a passport book and passport card, you'll need to submit both documents. 

Note: If you have a passport book available but your passport card was lost, you cannot renew the card using Form DS-82.

Passports are valid for 10 years for applicants 16 and older, and 5 years for children under 16.

The U.S. Department of State has a page dedicated to students who are studying outside of the United States, with tips, travel advisory informaton and resources you can use. Check it out here.

The U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized travel document that serves as proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. It has no visa pages and is valid for the same length of time as a passport book, but it can only be used for land and sea travel between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean countries. It is not valid for international air travel. The card is less expensive than the passport book, and you may apply for one or both documents.