Many countries require that your passport is valid for at least six months before the date of your travel internationally. It is to avoid any issues, including applying for a passport in a foreign country that may cost you time and money. However, situations such as passport damage, theft, or loss may happen, and you may not be able to use your passport regardless of its validity. In such situations, you do not have to worry as the U.S. Department of States allows you to apply for a passport even if you are outside the United States.
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Can I apply for a first-time U.S. passport outside the United States?
You may be able to apply for a first-time U.S. passport outside the United States if you are a U.S. citizen.
Applying for a passport within or outside the United States requires you to furnish documents that serve as proof of your nationality. To be able to be eligible for a U.S. passport, you need to be a U.S. citizen.
You are a U.S. citizen if:
- you were born in the United States;
- you were born in certain territories or outlying possessions of the United States that are listed at 8 U.S.C. § 1408;
- you were born in the Panama Canal Zone on or after February 26, 1904, to a mother or father who was a citizen of the United States at the time of your birth;
- you were naturalized in accordance with the immigration laws; or
- you were a citizen of another country but have since lost your citizenship or been naturalized in the United States as a citizen in accordance with its immigration laws.
If you do not meet any of the above three conditions, you are not a U.S. citizen and cannot apply for a first-time passport outside the United States as such an application would be considered “fraud.”
How to apply for a U.S. passport outside the United States?
To apply for a U.S. passport outside the United States, you must do the following:
1. Fill out the appropriate form.
Form DS-11 — Use Form DS-11, Application Form for New U.S. Passport, if your passport is not in your possession or was damaged, lost, or stolen. Form DS-11 is a document used to apply for a new or replace a passport.
Form DS-82 — Use Form DS-82, U.S. Passport Renewal Application For Eligible Individuals, if you have a valid passport in your possession. Form DS-82 is a document used by eligible individuals to renew a passport by mail.
2. Provide evidence of U.S. citizenship.
If you are filling out Form DS-82, you may submit your valid passport as evidence of U.S. citizenship.
If you are filling out Form DS-11, you may submit the original or certified copy of any of the following:
- Fully valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
- U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements:
- Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
- Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
- Lists your parent(s)’ full names
- Has the date filed with the registrar’s office (must be within one year of birth)
- Has the registrar’s signature
- Has the seal of the issuing authority
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
3. Bring a photocopy of your citizenship evidence, front and back.
Your citizenship evidence photocopy must be:
- legible;
- on white 8.5”x11” standard paper;
- black and white; and
- single-sided.
4. Provide your photo identification.
Bring any of the following to the U.S. embassy or consular office. Bringing two of them is much better to ensure you have acceptable proof of identification.
- Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card
- In-state, fully valid driver’s license or enhanced driver’s license with photo
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
- U.S. military or military dependent ID
- Current (valid) foreign passport
- Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) – commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
- U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) – commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
- Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
- Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
- In-state, fully-valid learner’s permit with photo
- In-state, fully valid non-driver ID with photo
- Temporary driver’s license with photo
5. Photocopy your photo identification.
Your photocopy of photo identification must:
- be on white, 8 1/2 x 11″ standard paper;
- be single-sided; and
- not decrease the image size.
6. Provide additional forms.
Form DS-64 — If your passport was lost or stolen while you are outside the United States, file Form DS-64, Statement Regarding A Lost Or Stolen U.S. Passport Book And/Or Card. Form DS-64 is a document used to report a lost or stolen U.S. passport book and or card.
Signed Statement — If your passport was damaged while you are outside the United States, furnish a signed statement explaining the damage.
Form DS-3053 — If you are a parent or a legal guardian and you are outside the United States with your minor child who needs a U.S. passport, fill out Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: Issuance Of A U.S. Passport To A Child. Form DS-3053 is a document used to consent the application of and issuance of a passport for a minor. However, you may not be required to fill out one if both parents of the minor are present at the U.S. embassy or consular office, or if attached to the passport application for a child is evidence of sole authority to apply for the child’s U.S. passport.
Form DS-5504 — Fill out Form DS-5504, Application for a U.S. Passport: Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Book Replacement, if you need to change your name on your U.S. passport or replace a limited passport book that was lost, stolen, or damaged while you are outside the United States, but not if it meets the requirements of Form DS-64.
7. Submit a valid passport photo.
You cannot use your old passport photo. Provide a new passport photo that meets the specifications of the U.S. Department of State.
8. Pay the passport fees.
Passport fees vary depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate where you are applying. Nevertheless, here are the regular fees according to the U.S. Department of State:
- Passport for Minors (New or Replacement)
Passport book — $80 application fee + $35 execution fee = $115
Passport card — $15 application fee + $35 execution fee = $50
- Passport for Adults (New or Replacement)
Passport Book — $110 application fee + $35 execution fee = $145
Passport Card — $30 application fee + $35 execution fee = $65
Minor applicants are not eligible to file Form DS-82 or renew their passports by mail. Adult passport applicants who renew their passports must pay the applicable application fee above. They do not have to pay the execution fee.
9. Submit your passport application.
Contact your local U.S. embassy or consular office with regards to the instructions on how to submit your passport application. Make sure to schedule a passport appointment before going to the U.S embassy or consulate where you will apply if you have not already scheduled one with us by phone or online. Check the U.S. Department of State’s website for more information about the U.S. embassy or consular in your area.
What to do if my passport was lost outside the United States?
If you have lost your passport while you are outside the United States, you must apply for a passport replacement by filing Form DS-11 and other documents stated above at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
If your passport was lost in a foreign country, ask the local police to help you with the investigation of the loss. Ask for a copy of the report before you try to apply for a passport replacement.
The U.S. Department of State will consider this report when deciding whether they should issue you a passport replacement or not.
If the local police cannot help you with your loss, file a report of passport loss with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
What to do if my passport was stolen while I am outside the United States?
If you have had your passport stolen while outside the United States, file a report of the theft with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and apply for a new passport immediately. You must also fill out Form DS-64 and Form DS-11 and follow the steps stated above.
The best thing to do when you are outside the United States, and your passport got stolen is to file a police report. The thief may use your passport to commit crimes or illegal activities. The police authority may help you investigate the theft, increasing the chance of the passport being recovered.
If your passport is not recovered, immediately report your passport stolen to the U.S. Department of State. They will invalidate your stolen passport, making it unusable in any country.
Does the U.S. Embassy issue a passport on a weekend or holiday?
It depends on the U.S. embassy or consular if they can assist you with your concerns on weekends or holidays. Most U.S. embassies or consular are closed during weekends or holidays.
However, if your passport was stolen outside the United States, you may still go to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate during holidays or weekends. There are after-hours duty officers who may assist you.
Can a non-U.S. citizen get a U.S. passport?
No, a non-U.S. citizen cannot get a U.S. passport.
U.S. passports are available only to citizens and nationals of the United States.
Can I get a passport with a green card?
No, you cannot get a passport with a green card.
You need to present proof of U.S. citizenship when applying for a U.S. passport.
A green card is a document issued by the United States government that proves an individual’s permanent resident status. It is not a citizenship certificate or a travel document, and it does not confer any immigration benefits.
You can apply for U.S. citizenship once you have held a green card for more than five years, maybe less, depending on the circumstances.
Can I get a U.S. passport while I’m abroad?
Yes, you can get a U.S. passport while you are abroad.
You can apply for a passport at any U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States as long as you have applied for it before and meet all eligibility requirements stated above.
How do you apply for a U.S. passport in Canada?
You can apply for a U.S. passport in Canada by following the instructions stated above. Submit the following documents:
- Form DS-11 or Form DS-82;
- Citizenship evidence;
- Photo identification;
- Name change documents, if applicable;
- Additional documents, such as Form DS-5504, Form DS-64, or Form DS-3053;
- Passport photo; and
- Passport fees payable in U.S. dollars.
How long does it take to get a U.S. passport outside the United States?
It takes about four to six weeks to process a U.S. passport application submitted outside the United States.
You may get a passport faster than four weeks if you apply for it at a private company offering expedited services. However, you will pay extra for this service.
What if my U.S. passport expires while I’m abroad?
The U.S. Department of State suggests travelers to have a passport that is at least still valid for six months before traveling abroad. It is to avoid the inconvenience of having to apply for a new passport while traveling. Travelers may also encounter difficulties to board an international flight because some countries require a passport to be valid for more than six months even when the traveler is only going on a short trip.
However, if you happen to be outside the United States and your passport expires, you may renew your passport at any U.S. embassy or consulate abroad as long as it is within your eligibility period of applying for a new passport and has not been reported lost or stolen.
Is it illegal to mail a passport internationally?
It is not illegal to mail your U.S. passport. However, if you mail a passport internationally, the U.S. Department of State advises you to send it by registered or certified mail through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and carry proof that your passport was shipped.
How much is a U.S. passport abroad?
Your passport cost abroad depends on the U.S. embassy or consulate’s charges. However, the regular passport fees are as follows:
1. For minors
Passport book = $80
Passport card = $15
2. For adults
Passport book = $110
Passport card = $30
3. Execution Fee for Adult and Minor Passport Applicants
Applying for a New Passport = $35
Replacing a Lost, Damaged, or Stolen Passport = $35
Can I travel back to the United States with an expired passport?
You cannot board a flight back to the United States with an expired passport. Problems may arise during immigration and customs inspection if your passport is expired.
You may apply for a new passport instead of traveling with an expired passport. You can do that at any U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
If you are in an emergency, you may request a limited validity passport.
What is a limited validity passport?
A limited validity passport is issued only to those whose passports have been lost, stolen, or damaged and cannot be used for a return trip.
Although a limited passport is enough for you to board a plane back home, it has a shorter period of the expiration date. To avoid any problems during immigration and customs inspection, do not use this as your main passport and keep it safe until you get a new one.
How to get a limited validity passport outside the United States?
You must submit the following documents to a U.S. embassy or consulate near you in order to apply for a limited validity passport:
- Form DS-64;
- Form DS-11, Application Form for New U.S Passport;
- Citizenship evidence;
- Photo identification;
- Passport photo;
- Passport fees; and
- Travel itinerary.
What happens if I stay more than six months outside the U.S.?
If you stay outside the United States for more than six months, you must reapply for a Reentry Permit in order to reenter the country. You are only allowed to stay in a foreign country for up to six months. More than that, you are already considered “overstaying.”
Go back to the United States before your passport expires. If it does, you will have to go through the entire application process again.
If you decide to stay outside the U.S., make sure that your passport has been extended before going back. Otherwise, you will be considered “overstaying.”
Is there a grace period for expired U.S. passports?
No, there is no grace period for expired passports. It means that you cannot use your expired passport to travel or board a flight, even if it is one day outdated.
If you travel before your passport expires, you will be denied boarding by all commercial airlines because your passport is invalid once it expires. The validity of your passport depends on your age when it was issued; 10 years validity if you were 16 and above and five years validity if you were under 16.
Can an expired passport be used as proof of citizenship?
Yes, an expired passport can be used as proof of citizenship as long as it is valid. However, it cannot be accepted at any air or seaports for travel to or from the United States.
An expired yet valid passport:
- is undamaged other than normal wear and tear;
- was issued when you were 16 years old and above;
- was issued within the last 15 years; and
- was issued in your current name, and you have your name change documents.
If you have your expired yet valid passport, you can use it to renew your passport by mail.
Is a driver’s license proof of U.S. citizenship?
Yes, a valid driver’s license can be used as proof of U.S. citizenship if:
- it was issued by the state or federal government; and
- it has your photo, social security number, date of birth, height, weight, and expiration date.
Can you enter the U.S. with a birth certificate?
No, you cannot enter the United States with a birth certificate alone. You must have your passport board a flight back to the U.S.
However, you can use your birth certificate as citizenship evidence to apply for your passport renewal or replacement abroad.