Passport FAQ's | G3 Visas & Passports

My passport is expired. Can I renew it?
If I renew my passport will it have the same number?
How fast can I get a passport?
I can’t find my birth certificate. Can I still get a passport?
What is the first step I need to take to get a new passport expedited?
My teenager needs a passport. Does he/she need to sign his/her application in person?
Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico and/or Canada?
Can you fax me the applications?
What size photographs do I need?
I need a passport and a visa in a hurry. Can you do both?
I just changed my name. How do I have the name updated on my passport?
How soon can I renew my passport before it expires?
I need to get a long-term visa, how can I get my passport renewed if it doesn’t expire until next year?

Can I just go to the post office to apply for a passport?
Do children need a passport to travel outside of the United States?
My US Passport went through the wash, what should I do?
What if the parents are not US Citizens?
What if I wear head coverings due to my religious beliefs?

My passport is expired. Can I renew it?
If you have a passport that was issued less than 15 years ago, you can renew it. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a new passport. Please return to passports page to begin a new application or renewal.

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If I renew my passport will it have the same number?
When you renew your passport the US Government issues you a new passport with a new passport number. The only difference between renewing your passport and applying for a NEW one is the paperwork, either way you will be issued a BRAND NEW Passport.

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How fast can I get a passport?
The speed in which your passport is processed is based on your departure date and how much you choose to pay in expedite fees. Same day and next day service are available for travelers leaving the US within 3 days (or 7 days if you are traveling to a country where a visa is required.) For most travelers, our 5 or 10 business day service is sufficient.

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I can’t find my birth certificate. Can I still get a passport?
Proof of US citizenship is required to obtain a passport. You may use an expired US passport, an original or certified state-issued birth certificate (not a notarized copy), or original naturalization papers. If you need to obtain a birth certificate, you can contact the Office of Vital Statistics in the state in which you were born. If you need a birth certificate please email us at info@g3visas.com so we can assist you.

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What is the first step I need to take to get a new passport expedited?
Either a main branch post office or a clerk of the court must execute your application before you can send it to G3 Visas & Passports for processing. Visit http://www.travel.state.gov/cgi-bin/search.accept.cgi to find a location near you. You will need to take your driver’s license or state issued identification and the list of required documents as noted on our paperwork.  Please make sure you fill out the DS-11 (Name this)  passport application for your destination country  located here, and print out two copies.  The application must be filled out on this government website, as it creates a barcode that is unique to your application on the left hand side of the page.  This barcode is necessary in order for our company to process your passport.

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My teenager needs a passport. Does he/she need to sign his/her application in person?
Children 13 years and older must be present with a parent to have their signature witnessed by the passport acceptance agent. The parent will still sign the letter of authorization and present his/her identification. Only the mother, father, or legal guardian can fill out the paperwork for children under the age of 13 and submit it to us for processing.

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Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico and/or Canada?
Currently, US citizens may present their birth certificate and driver’s license or state-issued identification to enter Mexico and Canada. However, a passport is preferred, especially if you are flying into either country. ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

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Can you fax me the applications?
The Passport Agency will accept only original and downloaded versions of the applications. Faxed copies are not acceptable. Original applications are available at most main branch post offices or via our website. We can fax you the instructions and letter of authorization if you cannot download the file from our website.

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What size photographs do I need?
You will need two new passport photographs, on photographic paper, size 2x2 inches. They may be in color or black and white with a light colored background (white is preferable), with the subject facing forward (both ears showing). Pilots and military personnel should appear in civilian clothes.

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I need a passport and a visa in a hurry. Can you do both?
Depending on your departure date, we can assist you with obtaining both your passport and any visas you may require. Most visa applications can be expedited. Please call G3 Visas & Passports to discuss the processing times.

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I just changed my name. How do I have the name updated on my passport?
We can assist you with the name change on a passport that has more than one year before it expires. Download the "Changing name on a passport" paperwork on the Passport section of our web site.

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How soon can I renew my passport before it expires?
Usually a passport can only be renewed if it is within 6 months from its expiration. However, we can have it renewed earlier if there is a good reason for request i.e. my appearance has changed SIGNIFICANTLY, I am moving to another country for a prolonged period of time (1 + years).

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Can I just go to the post office to apply for a passport?
If you are not traveling within 6 weeks, we recommend you apply at the nearest main branch post office. The standard processing for a passport is about 6-10 weeks. However, if you are traveling in 30 days or less, you may want to consider expediting your passport.

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Do children need a passport to travel outside (excluding Mexico and Canada) of the United States?
Yes, every US Citizen must have their own passport. Children are no longer included in a parent’s passport.

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My US Passport went through the wash, what should I do?
The US Government considers this type of request a mutilated passport and you will have to apply for a new passport. You will have to follow the new passport procedures and will have to submit your damaged passport and your original birth certificate or original naturalization certificate or another old/expired US Passport. The US Government will not return your damaged passport.

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What if the parents are not US Citizens?
If the parents of a child born in the United States are not US Citizen, they need to submit copies of the identification pages of their Foreign Passports as well as a copy of US Visa and I-94 or a copy of their Alien Registration Card (Green Card).

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What if I wear headgear over my head due to my religious beliefs?
You must write a short statement advising the US government why you have on this type of attire in your passport photos.

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