Due to COVID-19 requirements, fees and processing time may be subject to change without any notice. Please give our office a call for up-to-date requirements, fees, and processing times.
There are three main steps to getting a new United States passport. Requirements to apply for a new passport include one of the following:
- You are a first-time applicant over 18 years old
- Your most recent passport was issued when you were under the age of 16
- Your previous U.S. passport was issued over 15 years ago
If you meet one of these requirements, follow the three-step process laid out below:
What You Need for a New Adult Passport
| Step 1: Documents you will need | Where to get your documents |
|---|---|
| Complete and print the passport application online at the Department of State. Do not sign. | Department of State’s passport portal. |
| Make a copy of the unsigned DS-11 (passport form) | This will be included with your Texas Tower order. |
| Include 2 passport-quality photos | We recommend taking these pictures at a business familiar with passport photo requirements, such as Walgreens, CVS, or Kinko’s. |
| Copy of your flight itinerary | Your flight must be scheduled within 3 to 4 weeks to qualify for expedited service. |
| Proof of U.S. citizenship | One of the following : – Original U.S.-issued birth certificate – Original U.S. Naturalization Document – An expired U.S. passport that was issued for 10 years |
| Include 2 passport-quality photos. | Authorization letters (see files below) |
| Step 2 | Visit your local post office |
|---|---|
| Find a valid Passport Agency Deputy, usually located at a local United States Post Office. These facilities do not accept walk-ins for passport services. Make sure to make an appointment. | You can find a complete list of agencies at http://iafdb.travel.state.gov |
| The Passport Agency Deputy is required to charge an execution fee of $35.00, which should be paid separately from the Passport Agency fees. | Execution fee is $35. |
| The Passport Agency Deputy will collect all of the above documents in step 1, witness you signing your passport application, and place it into an envelope that will be sealed by the Deputy. | Do not open this envelope once sealed, as it will void your application. |
| Get your sealed envelope back from the Passport Agency Deputy. | Inform the clerk you will forward the sealed envelope to a service in Houston for processing. |
| Step 3 | Almost done! |
|---|---|
| Make sure you have the following documents: | –Sealed envelope –Texas Tower order form (see files below) –Copy of your DS-11 form you made in Step 1 –Authorization form (see files below) |
| Mail to Texas Tower | Texas Tower Passports & Visas 2020 Montrose Blvd. Suite 400 Houston, TX 77006 Phone: (713) 874-1420 |
Additional Documents for Completing Your Order
Need to print these instructions? Here is our handy three-step guide:
Fee Breakdown for New Passport Service
- Passport Agency Fee: $170.00
- Texas Tower Passport Fees:
- Same-Day Processing: $225.00 (You must send your package by FedEx 1st Overnight with Signature Release for this option)
- 2-3 Day Passport Processing: $158.00
- 5-10 Day Passport Processing: $89.00