US-Passports.com,
problems with your passport?
Passport holders may find a misspelling in their passports, or certain events in life may require them to update their US passport information. A passport theft or loss is also a matter of immediate action. The procedures to be followed, below:
Case one.
I found a printing error within 30 days since the issuance of the passport.
If this is your case, you need to prepare an envelope with:
- a letter explaining the specific correction needed
- the mistaken passport
- acceptable evidence of the correct information. If the misspelling was either in your first or last name, you will also need to include a copy of an identity document or any other acceptable evidence of the correct information.
Send the envelope to the address on this page. Do not forget to state in the letter by when you need the document corrected.
Case two.
I found a printing error and more than 30 days have passed since the issuance of the passport.
If this is your case, you need to send an envelope with:
- a complete Form DS-5504
- the US passport containing the printing error
- two recent passport photos
- acceptable evidence showing the correct information. If the misspelling was either in your first or last name, you will also need to include a copy of an acceptable evidence of the correct information.
Send the envelope to the address specified on this page. Do not forget to state in the letter by when you need the document corrected.
Case three.
I changed my name and less than a year has elapsed since the issuance of my passport.
If you got married, divorced, or if your name changed due to an adoption decree or court order, you need to send an envelope with:
- a complete Form DS-5504
- the passport you need to replace
- two recent passport photos
- acceptable evidence of your name change
Send the envelope to the address specified on Form DS-5504.
Case four.
I changed my name and more than a year has elapsed since the issuance of my passport.
Here, there are two possibilities:
Can you apply by mail? If you can apply by mail for your US passport renewal, you need to send an envelope with:
- a complete Form DS-5504
- the passport you will replace
- two recent passport photos
- acceptable evidence of your name change
- the appropriate fees ($67 + $60, if requesting Expedited Service)
Can you not apply by mail? If you cannot apply by mail for your US passport renewal, you need to apply in person with:
- a complete —but unsigned— Form DS-11
- two recent passport photos
- the passport you will replace
- acceptable evidence of your name change
- the appropriate fees ($97 or $82 + $60, if requesting Expedited Service)
Do not forget there are additional requirements for the issuance of US passports for children under 14 years old.
Case five.
I need more pages in my passport.
If you need more pages in your US passport, you need to send:
- an Application for Additional Visa Pages, Form DS-4085
- your passport
to any of the addresses specified in the form. You can file the application in person if you need your passport back in a short time (Expedited Service).
Case six.
I have a limited passport and I would like to have a full-valid US passport.
Limited US Passports are issued in cases such as an emergency trip or to ease the re-entry to the United States to a citizen who lost or was stolen his original passport during a trip. People with limited passports should have received instructions on how to obtain a full-valid US passport when they received the limited one. Follow them. Sending an application by mail, Form DS-82, is usually more than enough to complete the process under normal circumstances.
Case seven.
I am abroad and lost my passport!
If your passport is lost or was stolen, you must report it immediately. Next, contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate in the country you are visiting.
Case eight.
I lost my passport and I am in the United States.
If your passport is lost or was stolen in the United States you must —again— report it immediately. After that, there are two steps to follow in order to get a new passport:
First, complete a form DS-64 with as much information and details as you can, sign and send it to
U.S. Department of State
Passport Services
Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
or call toll free at: 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793) from 7 a.m. to midnight, ET (M-F).
Second, download a Form DS-11 and appear in person to any passport agency or acceptance facility.
Case nine.
I found the passport I reported lost!
If you found your lost or stolen passport, submit it to
U.S. Department of State
Passport Services
Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
as it will not be revalidated. If you request it, we can cancel the passport and return it to you. Else, it will be destroyed.