Who should get a passport? Well, I think everyone should have a passport. You just don’t know when, whether for business or pleasure, you will have to travel abroad. Although not a pleasant thought, an emergency or death involving friends or family outside of the United States can also result in the need to travel. Even people traveling to Mexico and Canada now need proof of citizenship, and a passport meets that requirement.
Obtaining a passport in Phoenix can take more than six weeks from the time of application, so if there is absolutely any chance that you will leave the US, you should obtain a passport well in advance of any planned travel to avoid the stress of a last minute crisis.
You can get a passport application at many locations in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Here are some general passport tips for US citizens. Keep in mind that everyone’s situation or circumstance may be unique, and a call to the passport office, in that case, is your best option.
Phoenix area passport offices
Chandler
Phoenix Downtown, Clerk of the Superior Court
Phoenix North, Clerk of the Superior Court
Mesa, Clerk of the Superior Court
Scottsdale
Surprise, Clerk of the Superior Court
The following tips on how to get a passport in Arizona were last updated in January 2017.
Do I have to apply for a passport in person?
You must apply for a passport in person if any of the following situations apply to you:
- This is the first time you have applied for a passport and you are a US citizen.
- You are under 16 years of age
- Your previous US passport was issued when you were under the age of 16.
- Your passport is damaged, lost or stolen.
- Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
Passport forms can be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office for the city in which you reside, designated Post Office locations, court clerks, municipal / county offices, or travel agencies. You can see a set of local links for various cities in the Phoenix metro area below. You can also look online at the US Department of State Passport Acceptance Center search page.
For the first time application, you must bring the application, proof of US citizenship, proof of identity, two passport photos and the fee. You can check here to find out what are the acceptable forms of proof and identification. Some places may not accept credit cards. Bring your checkbook or cash just in case. The fee for a passport is around $ 165. You must also have a Social Security number.
If you are just renewing your passport and it was issued less than fifteen years ago, obtain a Form DS-82. You must complete the form in black ink. Instructions for completing and submitting are on the back of the form. The renewal costs around $ 140.
Rocky Point and other cities in Mexico
If you go to Rocky Point or other cities in Mexico, you can get a passport card. The passport card allows people traveling from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to return to the United States. A passport card is not acceptable for air travel. If you are flying, you need a passport book. Many people in Arizona travel to Mexico often and cross the border from one side to the other. In this case, you may want to get a Passport Card, which is easier and more convenient to transport, as well as a regular Passport Book, in case you have other international travel needs or intend to fly back. from Mexico.
A passport card costs around $ 55.
Frequent questions
Name change: If you already have a passport but your name has been legally changed, you can get a new passport by following these instructions.
Photos: It used to be that you had to go to an ‘official’ passport photo store to get an acceptable passport photo. That’s probably the safest and easiest way to do it, but other options are now available. Still, you can’t take a photo with your disposable camera, or take a digital photo of yourself and print it, and assume it will be accepted. If you are determined to take these photos yourself, here are the photography guidelines.
Passport application forms are available online. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
If you need a passport within 2 weeks, you must make an appointment by calling toll-free 1-877-487-2778, 24 hours a day. There will be an additional fee for this service. The Western Passport Center in Tucson only serves clients who travel or submit their passports for foreign visas, within 14 days.
If you need a passport in less than two weeks, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. Warning: a business meeting is not an emergency, we are talking about life and death emergencies.
There are many passport service companies that say they will help you get a passport. If you are being charged a fee for the service, make sure it is not something you can do without your help. An example of when you might need the help of a service would be an urgent passport, where you cannot travel to a regional office.
Closing tips
After obtaining your passport, be sure to keep it in a safe place where it will not be lost or destroyed. If you don’t travel frequently, your safe can be a good place for it. Make some copies of your passport. Keep one in your checked luggage when you travel, and keep one with a friend or family member you can contact at home in case yours is lost or stolen while traveling.
