How to Apply for a U.S. Passport

In order to apply for a U.S. Passport, you must be born in the United States or a U.S. Citizen.

Please visit the US Department of State's U.S. Passports webpage for information on who can apply, what information is needed, costs, and timelines.

For all CCU-related travel, you should be sure that you have a Passport Book (not the Passport Card) that is valid at least 6 months after the intended return date of your travel and with at least 2 blank pages.

Some travel destinations will require a visa to enter the country.  You will need to have a valid passport to apply for a visa, and often you must go physically to the respective embassy or consulate and/or send your passport away for visa processing, so you should review the U.S. Department of State's Travel Advisory webpage for international travel requirements for the respective intended countries of travel to determine entry requirements that may be different by country.

LBGTQI+ Travelers: The U.S. Department of State maintains resources for LBGTQI+ travelers on this link. In addition, please see important updates about traveling abroad with a passport with gender designated as nonbinary "X".   Some countries may deny travel to travelers with X marker for gender.  Please be sure to review the www.travel.state.gov  site to read information about each country under "local Laws and Special Circumstances" for each country that you might be considering travel to and/or transit through. The US government issues U.S. passports with X gender marker, and while countries that recognize U.S. passports should make no distinction as to the gender on the passport, it cannot guarantee the passport holder's entry or transit through another country.  Be sure to check with the above resources and the foreign embassy(ies) and/or consulate(s) of countries to which and/or through which you intend to travel before leaving the USA.

Did you know CCU's Post Office in Sands Hall can process passport applications?

Please review the FAQs section of the CCU Mail Services website, gather your materials and make an appointment!

Other passport acceptance facilities are also nearby and around the country.  Please see : https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/ to find a site that works for you and make an appointment.

Passport processing times can vary considerably. You are encouraged to apply for your passport or to renew your passport at least 3 months before travel.  Current processing times are posted on the US Department of State Passports page above.