New Passports

Be able to provide one of the following items:

• Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport
• Certified / Original Birth Certificate issued by the city, county, or state*  (see the link Vitalchek under Passport Resources)
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Naturalization Certificate (original)

• Your head must face the camera directly with full face in view.
• You must have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.
• Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis
• Taken in the last 6 months
• Use a plain white or off-white background
• Be sized correctly
  • 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
  • Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper
• Printed in color
• You cannot wear glasses.
  • If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with the application.
• You cannot wear a hat or head covering.
  • If you wear a hat or head covering for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering in your photo is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public.
  • If you wear a hat or head covering for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor’s statement verifying the hat or head covering in your photo is used daily for medical purposes.
  • Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.
• You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices.

Copy of travel itinerary, airline ticket or letter on employer’s stationary (template provided under passport resources) confirming immediate international travel is required.

Copy of 2nd photo ID (Driver’s License)
Note: You will need to show the original at the passport acceptance facility and include a copy with your passport application.

Download, complete and have  two copies of the form, “PTW Authorization Form”with you at the acceptance facility.
(See link under Passport Resources).

DO NOT sign until advised to do so at the acceptance facility!

Take all of the above to a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office, court house or county clerk – link to acceptance facility search by zip code under Passport Resources).

Note: If the applicant is under the age of 16, both parents, as well as the minor child, must be present at the time of execution of the documents. If only one parent appears the other parent must sign and notarize the form, “Letter of Consent” (link under Passport Resources).

Inform the acceptance agent that you are processing your passport application through a private agency or “hand carry” agent. The clerk places the above documents in a sealed envelope and returns it to you (You must not open or tamper with this envelope). If you encounter any problems, please refer the clerk to the “Hand Carry” section of the Acceptance Officer Procedure Manual or contact Passport to the World.

You will need to pay the U.S. government fee to the clerk. Check their website for pricing and fees as they are subject to change. (If paying by check, you will need to write your full name and your date of birth on the check).

Our fee is separate and not to be included in the acceptance facility envelope.
You will need to pay the U.S. government fee to the clerk.

This fee should be paid by two checks and you will need to write your full name and your date of birth on both checks. (Due to changing rates, our service fees are subject to change. Please call or email us for pricing.)

Once the envelope is sealed and returned to you, deliver it to our PTW office as soon as possible as the Federal Office will consider it expired/void after 5 days from the date it was sealed in the envelope by the acceptance facility.