USVI Public Records

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My passport has already been issued and mailed to me, but I haven't received it. What do I do? Contact the National Passport Information Center by calling 1-877-487-2778. A Customer Service Representative will confirm the date your passport was mailed to you, the address to which it was mailed and, if necessary, help you to report the non-receipt of your passport. What is the passport card? The passport card is the wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border-crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. Will I receive my passport or passport card and my documents back in one envelope? You may receive your newly issued passport book or card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. Please contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. Can I get additional visa pages for my passport? No, you cannot. Applicants who need additional pages in their valid passports must obtain a new passport. Applicants within the United States may choose a 28- page or 52-page book. Question Answer Where can I find passport forms online? Passport forms can be downloaded online from: www.travel.state.gov The following are a listing of passport applications. •DS-11 (Passport Application) •DS-82 (Passport Renewal Application) •DS-64 (Lost/Stolen Passport) •DS-3053 (Statement of Consent for Minors Under 16) •DS-5504 (Passport Re-Application Form) •DS-5525: (Special Circumstance for Minors Under 16) •DS-86: Statement of Non-Receipt of a U.S. Passport Customers may also obtain passport forms by visiting their local Passport Acceptance Facility. Do I need to provide my Social Security Number when applying for my passport? Yes, public law, H.R. 22 - Fast Act, requires that applicants provide their social security numbers on their applications. Failure to provide information requested on applications, including the social security number will result in significant processing delays and/or the denial of the application. PASSPORT OFFICE Frequently Asked Questions Why do children have to be present when applying for a passport? The law requires all children be present and identified by an acceptance agent in order to enhance the accurate identification of applicants and aid in the prevention of child abduction and substitution. Can I wear a hat for the photo? You may only wear a hat or head covering if you wear it daily for religious purposes. Your full face must be visible and your head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face. Must both parents be present when submitting an application for minors under 16? Yes, the law requires that both parents give consent to the issuance of a passport for minors under the age of 16. For circumstances such as an absent parent, a DS- 3053 (Parental Consent Form) or a notarized statement from the absent parent would be needed. A front and back copy of the absent parents' driver's license or a copy of their passport is also required. Customers may also submit a DS-5525: (Special Circumstance for Minors Under 16) with their application; or apply for sole legal custody to apply for a minor's passport without the absent parent. What must the size of my photo be? The photo must be exactly 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). What pose should I be in for my photo? You must directly face the camera. Profile shots will not be accepted. Your expression should be neutral with both eyes open and directly facing the camera. Photos with exaggerated expressions and squinting will not be accepted. How many photos should I submit with my passport application? You must submit one photo with your passport application. Can I apply for a passport and a passport card at the same time? Yes, simply check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products. If you already have a passport book and are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for your new passport card by mail using Form DS-82. You may renew your passport book at the same time using the same form. How much does the passport card cost? First-time adult applicants pay $55, renewal adult applicants pay $30, and all minors pay $40. Does my photo have to be in color? Yes, your photo must be in color. A black and white photo will not be accepted. How recent must my photo have been taken? Your photo must have been taken within 6 months of submitting your application and reflect your current appearance. Can the process be expedited? Yes, with an extra fee of $60.00 per application, along with a check or money order for $20.66. The process usually takes about two to three weeks or less, but can also vary depending on the season and the workload. Can applications be submitted online? No, but applications can be filled out online, printed with a barcode, and submitted to any U.S. Passport Office. Can I mail in the passport application myself? Yes, Applicants utilizing the following forms may submit their applications by mail: •DS-5504 ""Passport Re-Application Form"" •DS-82 ""Passport Renewal Application"" (For use by renewing adults only. Applicants may also submit passport applications at their local Passport Office. Applicants utilizing form DS-11 "Passport Application" must submit their application in person with required documentation(s). " How do I check the status of my application? There are three options for doing status checks. •877-487-2778 or (TDD/TTY 1-888-874-7793) •email at NPIC@state.gov or •online at www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.ht ml Why do I have to submit original documents (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, marriage certificate, adoption decrees, and the like)? The Passport Agency must receive these documents in its original format or a certified copy bearing a seal from the agency from which it was issued in order to authenticate the document. These documents will be returned when the passport is issued. Can I wear eyeglasses when taking my passport photos? No, passport photos of customers wearing eyeglasses will not be accepted except under special conditions. Customers must remove their eyeglasses when taking a photo for a U.S. passport. By removing eyeglasses, passport customers are less likely to experience delays in the application process. Customers may wear glasses only in rare circumstances of medical necessity (e.g., when a customer has had recent surgery and eyeglasses are necessary to protect the applicant’s eyes during urgent travel.) Customers should obtain a signed statement from a medical professional or health practitioner (such as a surgeon or ophthalmologist) in these cases. How long do I have to wait before receiving my passport? Passports Generally take about four weeks to six weeks for processing, but can vary depending on the time of year and the increasing workload of the issuing agency. When should I apply for a passport renewal? It is recommended that you begin the application process to renew your passport approximately six months before it expires to prevent processing delays that may interfere with travel dates, although the application can be submitted at any time. What do I do If my identifying information was misprinted in my passport? You can request the correction of incorrect identifying information by submitting form DS-5504 to the address on the form. You can do this at any time during the validity of the passport at no additional cost. It will be necessary to submit your current passport and evidence of correct identifying information. How long is a passport valid for? Children (up to 15 years old) receive their passports for five years. First-time adults and applicants who renew (using a valid ten-year book) receive their passports for ten years. When applying for a US passport renewal, will my old passport be returned to me? Yes, your old US passport will be returned unless stated otherwise by the United States Department of State. Do you offer senior citizen discounts? No, at this time the Department of State does not offer senior discounts. How do I change my name in my passport after marriage or divorce? Submit Form DS-82 with your current passport, your original or certified name change document (no photocopies or notarized copies), a color passport photo, and all applicable fees. Can I apply for a passport if I am paying off child support arrears? Yes, however, when someone owes child support of $2500 or more, they are placed on a list that makes them ineligible to obtain a passport. After satisfactory arrangements are made for payment of the child support, the Child Support Enforcement Agency in the state where you owe child support should then contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to inform them that arrangements for payment were made. Once HHS removes your name from the ineligibility list, the Department of State can issue your passport. Is there any way my passport application can be denied or rejected? Passport applications may be denied or rejected for various reasons. The most common reason is missing the necessary documents such as Birth Certificate (when required), the Letter of Authorization (when required), proper photographs, or correct fee. Also, passports will be denied for the following reasons: outstanding child support, outstanding felony/criminal warrant (not including civil infractions or parking tickets), or prior felony conviction that forbids travel outside of the United States.