Hand holding passport facing airport window at boarding gate.

Passport guide

Any person who travels internationally must possess a valid passport. 

A standard 32-page passport book that is valid for three to nine months beyond the dates of international travel is required for most nations. U.S. citizens traveling by land and by sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean may use a passport card for entry. First-time applications for a U.S. Passport must be completed in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility. Passport renewals may be completed online, and the completed form and payment may be mailed if all documents are intact.

What do I need to apply for a first time passport?

To apply for your U.S. passport for the first time, complete the Application for a U.S. Passport (DS-11). You will need to include the following documents with your application:

  • Birth certificate
  • Photocopy of U.S. Citizenship Evidence (Birth certificate or other accepted document)
  • Present ID (Driver’s License or other accepted document)
  • Photocopy of Present ID (Driver’s License or other accepted document)
  • Photo
  • Payment Checks (Application fee and Execution Fee separate)

Visit the U.S. Department of State website for detailed information about first-time passport applications.

  • Processing times vary. Routine processing times are currently estimated at 6 - 8 weeks.

    For first time applicants the passport application fee is $130 and the execution fee is $35 for a total of $165 First time passport applications must be processed in person at an acceptance facility. Not all post offices are able to process passport applications. The closest facilities to Central State University are Jamestown/Fairborn. Additional facilities are accessible within 10 miles of Central State University.

     

    Jamestown Post Office

    37 N. Limestone St.
    Jamestown, OH 45335-9998 
    937-675-3111

     

    Fairborn Post Office

    67 W. Hebble Ave.
    Fairborn, OH 45324-9998 
    937-878-4647

  • Processing times vary. Expedited processing times are currently estimated at 2 - 3 Weeks.

    A fee of $60 is required to expedite a passport application. An additional $19.53 is charged to provide 1 - 2 day delivery after your passport is processed. You can apply for an expedited passport at any passport acceptancy facility and pay the extra fees.

  • Urgent processing must be scheduled within 2 weeks of international travel. Urgent processing is in person and by appointment only.

    If you need a passport within two weeks of travel you can schedule an appointment at a regional passport center. You will need to travel to the regional center and bring additional documentation such as a printed airline ticket to demonstrate your need for a passport quickly. Your passport will be printed the same day as your appointment. You will need to wait at the passport center while your passport is being processed. The closest passport centers to Central State University are listed below.

    Chicago Passport Agency
    101 Ida B. Wells Drive (formerly 101 W. Congress Parkway) 9th Floor
    Chicago, IL 60605-1074
    1-877-487-2778

    Detroit Passport Agency
    211 West Fort Street
    Detroit, MI 48226-3269
    1-877-487-2778

How do I apply for a first-time passport?

The U.S. Department of State identifies ten steps to apply for a first time passport. To apply for a U.S. passport, you must:

  • Fill Out Form DS-11
  • Provide Evidence of U.S. Citizenship
  • Bring a Photocopy of U.S. Citizenship Evidence
  • Present ID
  • Bring a Photocopy of ID
  • Determine any Special Circumstances
  • Provide a Photo
  • Calculate Fees
  • Find Location to Apply and Submit your Completed Application
  • Track your Application Status

For detailed information, visit the Department of State website. You may also find this video to be a helpful guide to apply for your first U.S. Passport.

Watch this video to learn how to apply in person.

Learn About the Process

How do I renew my valid passport?

If an applicant needs to renew their passport, a DS-82 is submitted. A prerequisite for this application is having the previous passport in your possession. You can use a DS-82 if:

  • If you were 16 years old or older during the issuance of your previous passport.
  • If your previous passport is undamaged and under your possession.
  • If your previous passport has expired (within the last 5 years) or is almost expired.
  • If you have undergone a legal name change and the issuance of your previous passport is equal to or greater than 1 year.

Additional processing centers within 10 miles of campus

  • 55 East Columbia St.

    Springfield, OH 45502

    P: 937-521-1835

  • 1607 Selma Rd.

    Springfield, OH 45505

    P: 937-284-1400

  • 111 West Spring Valley Rd.

    Centerville, OH 45458

    P: 937-433-8091

  • 1740 East Stroop Rd.

    Kettering, OH 45429

    P: 937-952-4202

  • 6108 Chambersburg Rd.

    Huber Heights, OH 45424

    P: 937-225-4480

  • 150 N. Limestone St.

    Springfield, OH 45501

    P: 937-323-6497

  • 1776 Far Hills Ave.

    Oakwood, OH 45419

    P: 937-294-7171

  • 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.

    Dayton, OH 45435

    P: 937-775-5745

Passport fees for adult applicants

Submitting incorrect passport fees could delay the processing of your application. For more information regarding passport application fees, please visit travel.state.gov/passportfees or call 1-877-487-2778, TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793.

  • Paid to the U.S. Department of State. A U.S. passport is your ticket to international travel. The U.S. passport is a request to foreign governments to permit you to travel or temporarily reside in their territories and have access to lawful local aid and protection. The passport allows you access to U.S. consular services and assistance while abroad. Most importantly, it allows you to re-enter the United States upon your return home. The Department of State issues U.S. passports to traveling U.S. citizens. The U.S. passport book and passport card are alternatives to a state-issued REAL ID and can be used for domestic flights. 

  • Paid to the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized, plastic passport that has no visa pages. The card is proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, and has the same length of validity as the passport book. Not valid for international air travel. Valid only for travel by land and by sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

  • Paid to the U.S. Department of State. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using the same application. When completing your form, indicate if you would like to apply for one or both documents. If you're renewing both your passport book and passport card, you must provide both documents. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using Form DS-82.

  • Paid to the Acceptance Facility. The execution fee applies to first-time applicants, children, and those replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged passport who must appear in person before an agent authorized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of State to give oaths to verify passport applications. In order to offer U.S. citizens convenient locations to apply for a passport, the Department of State authorizes Passport Acceptance Agents to accept passport applications on its behalf. The execution fee is to reimburse the acceptance facility for the cost of the service provided to the customer and to serve as an incentive for participation in the Passport Application Acceptance Program. When applying for both the passport book and card on the same application, you pay only one execution fee. The execution fee does not apply to adult passport book or card renewals when submitting Form DS-82.

  • Paid to the U.S. Department of State. Paid per application, in addition to required fees. Provides faster processing than routine service.

  • Paid to the U.S. Department of State. Paid per application for 1- 2 day delivery of an issued passport book from the Department of State to the customer. Only applies to mailing addresses within the United States. Not valid for passport cards.