When do I need a U.S. passport to travel?
You will need a passport to travel every time you leave or enter the United States or its territories. There is one exception to this rule for American citizens, traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda - a passport card can be used.

How are you able to process passports and travel visas so quickly?
We are registered with the U.S. Department of State in order to allow us to streamline the application process for you. In addition, we work with registered agents who are able to hand carry the passport and visa applications directly to the passport agencies. We also have special relationships and agreements with Embassies and Consulates to expedite the travel visa process.

How do I know you are a legitimate company?
Visa Passport Pro is licensed by the U.S. Department of State to expedite passport and visa processing. We own federally issued expediting slots that allow us to bypass standard passport wait times and have passports and visas processed in a single business day. We can always provide you letters from past clients and testimonials as well.

How do I know your website is secure?
Our website uses the highest level of security protocols with the GeoTrust SSL certificate to securely transmit your order information online with 128-bit encryption. With over 500,000 active certificates installed worldwide, GeoTrust is solely focused on security. Over 300,000 organizations of all sizes in over 170 countries rely on GeoTrust for their digital certificates. Also, Visa Passport Pro processes all credit card transactions through Bank of America and we are a First Data verified merchant.

How does our service work?
Our clients begin the process on-line, by signing up to use our services. They will receive a detailed checklist of all the necessary documents required to obtain a passport. A customer service agent is assigned to each client to assist them in understanding the checklist and to make sure there are no errors. Once our client is ready to ship their documents to us, their customer service agent will email them an authorization letter and a fed ex label to use for shipping the documents. Our couriers receive the application and hand carry it to the passport agency for processing.

Do you guarantee your processing time?
If you meet all of the qualifications and submit your application with no errors, we guarantee our processing time. We are not responsible for delays caused by couriers such as fed ex and we are not responsible for delays caused by the passport agency.

Your prices seem a bit higher than the government, why would I pay that much?
We have higher fees as we are a higher level of service, we assure prompt delivery of your passport and provide status updates. If you were to go directly through the post office or government it would take a minimum of 4-8 weeks. We handle the process entirely and will have your passport and/or visa back to you in hours rather than weeks with the traditional route due to our licensing agreements and special relationships with the U.S. Government, Embassies and Consulates.

I am not very computer literate and I am not sure if I can figure out the online forms I need. Can you help me?
We will be more than happy to complete the application for you over the phone and email them to you for your signature.

What is a hand courier service?
A hand courier is an individual who has been registered by the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services, to hand deliver passport applications to the passport agency on the behalf of those who are unable to do so, or who must utilize the service to process their applications with a fast turn around time.

How many passport offices are there?
- 13 Regional Passport Agencies
- 1 Gateway City Passport Agency
- 1 Special Issuance Agency
- 3 National Processing Facilities
- The National Passport Information Center;
- A network of more than 9,000 public government offices across the U.S. designated by Passport Services to accept applications; Headquarter offices in Washington, D.C.

What is a passport?
A passport is a document, normally in the form of a small book that has several functions. A passport enables a person to travel outside of the borders of their home country. Although a passport does not automatically grant the holder the right to enter any country, US and Canadian passport holders can travel to many countries without obtaining any further documentation (such as visas) prior to taking the trip. A passport also functions as proof of citizenship, so a person holding a U.S. Passport is internationally recognized as a US citizen. In cases when visas are required, the visa stamps or stickers are placed on the pages of the passport. Border control officials will also stamp the pages of the passport with entry and exit stamps upon entering or exiting a country.

What is a passport card?
Available since July 14, 2008, a passport card is a wallet-size travel document that can be used to travel from the United States to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land and sea but not air. It is most convenient for those who live close to the border and travel frequently by land or sea. They cannot be used for travel to destinations aside from those listed above, or for any air travel whatsoever.

How long is a U.S. passport valid for?
A passport's validity is generally determined by the applicant's age. In the US, passports issued for adults ages 16 and older are valid for 10 years. Children 15 years of age and under receive passports valid for 5 years. There are two primary exceptions to this rule: a second passport is valid for 2 years and an emergency passport is valid for 1 year. In some instances, when replacing a lost passport, for example, the Department of State may issue a passport with lesser validity (usually 1 or 2 years).

Is there any way my passport application can be denied or rejected?
Passport applications may be denied or rejected for several reasons. The most common reason is missing the necessary documents - if the Birth Certificate (when required), the Letter of Authorization, proper photographs, correct fee, or the itinerary are missing. 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 prohibits international travel. Please be advised that the Department of State has the right to request additional documents at their discretion.

What if I have changed my name?
If you need to change the name in your passport, and your passport is less than one year old, use Form DS-5504. If your current passport is more than one year old and you wish to change the name, you will need to apply for Passport Renewal. You will need to submit the original court document indicating the name change or original marriage certificate, along with your current passport and other supporting documents.

Why would a traveler need a second passport?
Second passports are often requested by those who travel frequently. If you are unable to wait for a visa to be issued you may request a second passport in order to travel while getting a visa for your next destination at the same time. Another reason to apply for a second passport is for travelers who have Israeli stamps in their current passport but who also need to travel to countries where any evidence of travel to Israel will bar you from entry. When approved, second passports are usually only issued for two years but may be extended. I am renewing my passport.

Will I get my old passport back?
Yes, in most cases, the Department of State will return the old, canceled passport. However, the decision to return or destroy a canceled passport is entirely at the discretion of the Department of State. If the passport is damaged, the Department of State will usually destroy the passport rather than return it. I submitted my application to the Post Office directly.

Can you help me?
Please speak directly with a passport specialist at Visa Passport Pro. My child is too young to sign documents.

Can I sign the passport application?
Yes. Sign your own name. If the child is 15 and younger, both parents must sign.

Why do my documents need to be sealed by an Acceptance Agent?
Your documents are sealed so that the Department of State can be sure that no one has tampered with your application. Once the envelope is sealed, do not open it, or you will have to start the entire process over again.

Why do I have to enclose a separate fee for the State Department?
VisaPassportPro.com is a private company that provides a way for you to obtain a passport faster than if you were to go directly through the post office (which is usually a 4-8 week process). You will still need to pay the Department of State their fee for issuing a passport, which is why a check or money order made payable to the Department of State is a part of the application. You will also need to pay a fee to TravelPassportVisaCenter.com so that we may expedite the process; this fee is paid online when you complete our order form.

What is the Letter of Authorization?
The Letter of Authorization enables Visa Passport Pro to apply for a passport on your behalf.

Where can I get a copy of my birth certificate?
An official Certificate of Birth should be on file in the locality where the event occurred. The Federal Government does not maintain files or indexes of these records. These records are filed permanently in a State vital statistics office or in a city, county, or other local office. To obtain a certified copy of the Birth Certificate, write or go to the vital statistics office in the State or area where you were born. For more information please visit Where To Write For Vital Records or for expedited services you can use VitalChek's express certificate ordering service.

What are the legal cases that would prevent me from obtaining a passport?
If you are currently on probation, owe more than $2,500 in child support, are wanted for arrest, are summoned to appear in court on charges, or are currently in prison.

What if I cannot find my birth certificate?
If you have had a previous passport, you can do a file search and the passport agency will look up your old passport for a fee of $150 and a letter requesting a file search. You can use an old, in good condition passport for proof of citizenship. You can order a birth certificate on www.vitaldocs.com or obtain one from the county you were born in.

I am trying to get a passport for a child, but I am not their legal guardian, what do I do?
Both parents need to fill out the Statement of Consent Form Regarding the Minor, have it notorized, giving permission to another adult to sign the application for a passport on behalf of the child. The legal guardians should also write a letter explaining the situation.

How does a single parent apply for a child passport if a child is 15 and under if both parents are required and one parent cannot be there?
A Parental Consent form but be filled out and notarized and have a copy of the driver's license attached. If one parent is missing and has not been in the child life, then the other parent must fill out the consent form explaining the situation.

What if I am a parent who has sole custody?
They must have legal documentation to prove it. Physical custody is not sufficient.

1. What if a parent is dead? An original death certificate is required.
2. For a child 15 and under, do both parents identification need to be issued less than 6 months ago? No.
3. If one parent is listed on the child's birth certificate do you need both parent's identification? No, you only need the identification of the listed parent. You must however have evidence of sole authority that include a letter indicating no contact of the missing parent since (time frame) with child.
4. What should I do if my child is born abroad? You should report your child's birth abroad as soon as possible to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to establish an official record of the child to claim to the U.S citizen of the United States of America, form FS-240. This document, known as the Consular Report of Birth Abroad, is a basic United States citizenship document.