Getting Your New Passport- Adults and Children

Happy Friday everyone!

Today, I am going to break down the process of getting a new passport. At Fastport Passport, we understand that this process can be confusing, time-consuming and often stressful, especially if you need a new passport quickly. The purpose of today’s post is to answer some of the questions you may have about getting a new passport for the first time.

You will need a brand new United States passport from Fastport Passport if you are leaving the U.S. within the next 14 days and:

  • Have never had a United States passport before
  • Have a United States passport that has been expired for more than five years
  • Are under the age of 16 and have an expired United States passport

The procedure for getting a new passport differs depending on whether you are a child (15 and younger), or an adult (16 and up).

New Adult Passports

You qualify for this passport if:

  • Applicant is a US citizen over 16 years old, AND
  • Applicant has never had a U.S. Passport issued before, OR
  • Applicant was under 16 years old when most recent passport was issued OR
  • Applicant has not had a U.S. Passport issued for over 15 years

In order to get a new adult passport secured from Fastport Passport, you MUST be traveling out of the U.S. within 14 days. One of the documents you must provide in order to get your new passport from us is proof of your international travel plans in your name. Proof of travel includes tickets, cruise reservations, hotel reservations, or business letter if traveling for business.

To order your new passport, go to our website and scroll over the “New Passport” link on the left hand side. Choose the time frame in which you would like to receive your passport, and add the service to your cart. Once you have ordered and paid for the service, a set of forms and detailed instructions will be sent to your email address. Fill the forms out in BLACK PEN ONLY, and follow all of the instructions given. One of the forms that will come to you is one that must be signed in front of a government official. You will have to go to your local post office or your county clerk’s office to swear an oath of your identity, and sign the form there. You could find an acceptance agent near you. The clerk will officially seal the form up. DO NOT tamper with this envelope! It must arrive to us sealed.

You can get your passport photo taken at any CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, or other stores of that nature.

All of the requested documents that are listed to send us us must be the ORIGINALS. For example, we will need the applicant’s original birth certificate, or naturalization certificate if the applicant was not U.S. born. All original documents will be returned to you with your new passport.

Once you have sworn your oath, taken your passport photos, and filled out the forms that we send you, you will pack them all into a Fedex envelope and send it to us. When we receive your package, we will take care of the government approval and issuance of the new passport, and Fedex the passport hot off the press directly back to you!

Here is an instructional checklist for obtaining a new adult’s passport.

New Child’s Passport

Any person under the age of 16 is considered a child when it comes to securing passports. Children must be issued a brand new passport even if they have had a passport before that is now expired. The expired passport cannot be renewed the way that an adult’s passport can.

The procedure for getting a new passport for a child is similar to that of an adult, but there are a few differences. All of the requirements are the same (proof of international travel within 14 days, original birth certificate or naturalization certificate, etc).

The big difference with getting a new child’s passport is that BOTH of the child’s parents must submit copies of currently valid ID’s, and BOTH parents must be present for the child’s oath swearing in front of a government official. If one parent cannot be present, the absentee must submit a notarized letter of permission for the child to leave the country as well as a copy of a valid photo ID. If one parent is deceased, there must be an original death certificate. In any of these cases, one or both parents must sign the sworn oath on behalf of the child.

Click here for an instructional checklist for obtaining a new child’s passport.

Whether you need a new passport for yourself or your child, at Fastport Passport, we can not only secure the passport in time for your international travel, but we offer clear and detailed instructions on how to get it. Should you need any help beyond what is sent directly to your inbox when you place an order with us, our passport experts are available in-store and online Monday through Friday 9am-6pm EST for live, personalized help with your order.

Have a lovely weekend and a happy Memorial Day from all of us here at Fastport Passport!