Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library

Business, Science & Technology staff, at our Downtown Branch only, have been designated by the U. S. State Department as U. S. Passport Acceptance Officers. In this capacity we are required to follow all Federal rules and regulations and there are no exceptions. We provide the same service as the U.S. Post Office, and these library staff members have the same authority as U. S. Postal Service employees.You may be denied service if you do not supply the required documentation or adhere to U.S. Passport Acceptance rules and regulations.

What is acceptable proof of U.S. Citizenship?

You must provide the ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE, or a Certified copy. The birth certificate must be from a state or local public health or other government office and must have a legal seal or embossed stamp.
- The California and Texas Certified Abstract of Birth are NOT ACCEPTED by the U.S. State Department.
- You may NOT submit a Hospital Birth Record.
Your CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATE will be submitted with your passport application.
If you are a naturalized U.S. Citizen you must provide your CERTIFICATE OF NATURALIZATION. This certificate will be submitted with your passport application.
These original documents will be returned with your new passport.
Please note that for all children, both parents' names must be present on the birth certificate for it to be acceptable as proof of citizenship and parental relationship.

Where can I obtain a CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATE?

For Tennessee-born residents this information may be obtained by contacting the Office of Vital Records at:

Tennessee Vital Records
Central Services Building
1st Floor
421 5th Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee 37247
Phone (615) 741-1763

For all others: you may contact the department of vital records for the state in which you were born. For a list of these, see National Center for Health Statistics Vital Records Information Page .You can also find this information using a pay service, Vitalchek, at 1-800-255-2414 or on the web at www.vitalchek.com.Please note that for children, both parents names must be present on the birth certificate for it to be acceptable as proof of citizenship and parental relationship.

What is acceptable proof of identification?

Adults may submit their current valid Driver's License or government issued ID Card. Adults may also submit a current U. S. passport or current Military ID card when identifying themselves for children's passports only. Parents will be asked to show proof of their identification for their children.

Are the passport forms available for download?

Passport forms are available for download in PDF format via the State Department Web pages at http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html.

Where do I get the photographs?

You must submit 2 official passport photographs, which are recent, in color and 2 " by 2 " in size. The background must be light colored, and school photographs may not be used. The exposure, focus, and color must be true and correct. It should not be altered, touched-up or "Photoshop-ed" in any way. The head must be fully facing front, held straight upon the shoulders; and must be from 1 - 1 3/8" in vertical diameter. No uniforms or head gear (unless of a recognized religious nature).
Our library offers fast and convenient Passport photo service - right here at the library! The fee for two digital 2 " by 2 " color photos is $10.00 which is accepted by cash, personal check or money order.
If you decide to purchase your photos elsewhere, check the yellow pages under "Passport Photos and Visa Services" for a photo studio near you.

What do I do if I have lost my Passport?

If you have lost your current or expired U.S. Passport, you must apply for a new passport and you must submit all original documentation. You must also submit the form DS-64, "Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport."
If you have lost your expired U.S. Passport, you must apply for a new passport and you must submit all original documentation. You must also submit the form DS-64, "Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport."

My Passport has recently expired.How do I renew it?

Citizens wishing to renew their U.S. Passports which are less than 15 years old from the date of issue may pick up the renewal form at the library and they may submit them through the mail. CHCBL will also accept your application for renewal but you must pay the postal cost for mailing which is $5.45 for Priority Rate mail with Delivery Confirmation. Restrictions may apply so check the Passport Information Line before mailing your renewal. You can also download a Passport Renewal Form here.

How long will it take to get my Passport?

The U. S. Passport Office guarantees delivery as follows:

Routine Service: 4-6 weeks from receipt at the processing center.
Expedited Service: approx. 2-3 weeks from receipt at the processing center.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE CHATTANOOGA HAMILTON COUNTY BICENTENNIAL LIBRARY HAS NO AUTHORITY TO MODIFY THESE TIME FRAMES!

CHCBL mails all completed passport applications once a day using standard rate mail. However, if you wish to have your application materials sent by overnight delivery to and from the passport processing center, there will be additional charges of $16.63 paid to CHCBL for sending applications overnight and $14.96 per applicant paid to the U.S. Department of State for each passport returned by overnight service.

If applications are being handled thru a third-party expediting service - you must contact them FIRST to determine their procedures for submitting applications.

What if I need my Passport sooner than the Expedite Service delivery date?

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling in less than 14 days, or needing your passport for foreign visas then contact U.S. Department of State to find your nearest passport agency. Appointments are necessary in order to serve those traveling most imminently. Proof of travel is required.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT A PASSPORT AGENCY FOR TRAVEL WITHIN THE NEXT 14 DAYS (OR IF YOU NEED VISAS WITHIN THE NEXT 4 WEEKS), PLEASE NOTE YOU MAY ACCESS THE AUTOMATED APPOINTMENT SYSTEM AND GENERAL AUTOMATED INFORMATION 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK BY CALLING THE NATIONAL PASSPORT INFORMATION CENTER AT 1-877-487-2778.

There are also what are referred to as third-party expediting services that will deal directly with the passport agency for you. However, you must contact them prior to coming into the library to have your passport application witness & executed. These services require additional paperwork and special mailing procedure that you must be aware of prior to coming.

CHCBL cannot recommend any expediting service - please contact a local travel agent or travel publications for recommendations.

Note: If you need to renew your passport for travel in 14 days, use form DS-82 and submit it to the Passport Agency when you go for your appointment. Do not mail in the DS-82.

How much does it cost to get a Passport?

There are two fees to two different entities - the Acceptance Fee and the Passport Fee. The Passport Fee is payable to "U.S. Department of State " as follows:

New or Replacement Passport, or Renewal of Passport:

$110.00 for persons age 16 and older
$80.00 for persons under the age of 16
Expedited Service: an additional $60.00 per application

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE FEES TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ARE PAYABLE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY - NO CASH OR CREDIT CARDS CAN BE ACCEPTED BY THE LIBRARY.

What is the Acceptance Fee?

The Acceptance Fee of $25.00 is paid to any Acceptance Agency, including the Chattanooga Hamilton County Public Library for all passport applications except passports being renewed using a DS-82 (Renewal by Mail) form. The fee is per application. The Chattanooga Hamilton County Bicentennial Library can accept cash, money order or personal/bank check for this fee.

Do I need to bring my children when applying for their passports?

All applicants, including children, must be present when applying for a U.S. Passport. Both parents must be present and show identification when applying for their child's passport if the child is 15 years old or younger. If one parent cannot be present when applying for their child's passport, their consent must be notarized on either a "Statement of Consent" form (DS-3053), or in a separate letter. Passport Acceptance Service agents will not be able to process U.S. Passport Applications unless this document is notarized. Notary Public service is available at the library.

Also, please note that a Birth Certificate must also be presented when renewing a child's passport if the child is 15 years of age or younger. Passport patrons aged 16 or 17 who have their own Driver's License are still considered minors and must have at least one parent present, with ID.

What if I have been divorced and have remarried since I last applied for my passport?

If your current married name is shown on your current identification, you will submit your application, birth certificate or expired passport.
If your current married name is not shown on your current identification, you will submit your application, birth certificate or expired passport, and your original marriage certificate.

Are there any other important changes to passport policies I should know about?

Plan ahead and get your passport now! Travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central America, South America, Canada and Mexico will soon be required to have a passport that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States:

Now in Effect - Tthe full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI have taken effect. The rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.

Passport Services will no longer accept amendments to U.S. Passports. If you need a name change, a correction to descriptive information on passport, or an extension for a limited passport, submit Form DS-5504, U.S. Passport Re-Application Form, along with the passport that needs the change.
- There is no charge for this service if the passport and DS-5504 is submitted within the first year of the passport's validity. After the first year, customers requesting any of these services must submit Form DS-82 and pay the $75 for a new passport.
Customers adding extra visa pages to their passport should submit Form DS-4085, Application for Additional Visa Pages. This service is free of charge.
If expedited service is requested for any of the changes described above, there is an additional charge of $60 per application. Contact the library for more information regaring overnight delivery of applications and passports.
Forms DS-5504 and DS-4085, as well as updated forms DS-11 and DS-82 are available at travel.state.gov

My question has not been asked and answered here, where can I go for more information?

For more information or to track your passport application call the National Passport Information Center at their TOLL FREE number: (877) 487-2778 or email NPIC@state.gov. You may also track your application online at https://passportstatus.state.gov/opss.

This page revised 7/21/2010