Passport Services at the Downtown Library

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library offers U.S. Passport Acceptance Service by appointment only Monday thru Saturday during regular business hours at our Downtown Branch only.

No appointments will be scheduled 1 hour prior to library closing time.
For appointments call: (423) 757-5310.

Current Passport Processing Times Announced

It is currently taking approximately 4-6 weeks to process a regular passport application and 3 weeks to process an expedited passport application. The U.S. Department of State still recommends that you "Apply Early!"

NEW PASSPORTS

Adults applying for a new passport or replacement of a lost or stolen passport must provide the following:

• Certified Birth Certificate showing both parents' names
  
• Current proof of identity which may include Driver's License, U.S. Government I.D.card or Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship (Additional information is available on our FAQ page.)
  
• One 2" x 2" passport photo which may be made at the library for a fee or brought in.
  Photo must be in color with light background, may NOT be a profile or posed shot of any kind, and must include only the head and top of the shoulders.
  
• All Passport applicants MUST APPEAR IN PERSON, including minors under age 16. Both parents must be present for anyone 15 years old or younger.

Download passport applications from U.S. State Department (requires Adobe Acrobat reader)

PASSPORT RENEWALS

Citizens wishing to renew a US Passport that is less than 15 years old from the date of issue may pick up the Mail-in Renewal Form at the Library and submit the renewal through the mail. If you were issued the passport prior to age 16 you must apply for a new passport.

FEES FOR PROCESSING

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 Book, or Renewal of Passport Book:

• $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
• See information about the Acceptance Fee below. This fee does not apply to renewals; but replacement depends on the circumstances.

New or Replacement Passport Card, or Renewal of Passport Card:

Please note that this product CANNOT be used for international travel by air and is only valid for land border crossings or for travel by ship to and from Bermuda, Mexico, Carribean Islands and Canada. If you decide to travel internationally by air at any point during the validity of your passport card, adults must renew paying the book fee (renewal fees to the U.S. Department of State are the same as a new application) and children must start over with Form DS-11 since they are not eligible to renew. Therefore, the card could end up costing MORE unless you are absolutely certain you will not need to fly, even for emergencies.

• $30 for persons age 16 and older
• $15 for persons under the age of 16
• Expedited Service: $60
• See information about the Acceptance Fee below. This fee does not apply for renewals; replacement depends on the circumstances.

Acceptance or Execution Fee:

$25 - payable by cash, check or money order

Other Fees That May Apply To You:

• Passport Photo: $10 - by cash, check or money order
• Postage - We charge for overnight (USPS Express) postage for all forms and postage (2-day, USPS Priority OR overnight) for renewal forms. Postage for new passport books or cards is included in the Execution fee.

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.

Information on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative for Travelers

Simplify your travel checklist!

From June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, by land or sea, will be required to present one of the travel documents listed below.

U.S. Passport – This is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies a person’s identity and nationality. It is accepted for travel by air, land and sea. per the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

U.S. Passport Card – This is a limited-use international travel document valid for entry into the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, per the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that fits in your wallet and costs less than a U.S. Passport. It is only valid for travel by land and sea. It is not valid for international air travel.

Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) – Several states and Canadian provinces are issuing this driver’s license or identification document that denotes identity and citizenship per the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. It is specifically designed for cross-border travel into the U.S. by land or sea.

The following states are issuing this type of WHTI-compliant document: Michigan, New York, Vermont and Washington. For information on costs, validity and issuing agencies, visit the appropriate state government website.

Trusted Traveler Program Cards – NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrollment cards provide expedited travel for pre-approved frequent border crossers through dedicated lanes. While NEXUS was designed for northern border crossing and SENTRI for southern border crossing, any of the cards can be used at all U.S. land and sea ports of entry.

Special Groups –

Children: Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 16 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

Groups of Children: Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with the following information:

Native Americans: Customs and Border Protection is working closely with interested Native American tribes toward the development of an enhanced tribal card that complies with WHTI.

"Closed Loop" Cruises: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.

U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents: Document requirements for Lawful Permanent Residents will not change under WHTI. U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents can continue to use their permanent resident card (Form I-551) or other valid evidence of permanent residence status.

U.S. Military: U.S. citizens can present a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.

Merchant Mariners: U.S. citizens may present an unexpired Merchant Marine Document in conjunction with maritime business.

Ferries and Small Boats: Passengers on ferries and small boat operators are processed much like travelers entering the U.S. through a land border. They are required to present one of the travel document that complies with WHTI.

Boaters: I-68 Registration Holders: Boaters who have an I-68 form will need to follow the new travel document requirements. A NEXUS card is an alternative to a passport for entry into the U.S., and ensuring that you have either a NEXUS card or a passport will enable you to continue to utilize telephonic clearance procedures currently in place for I-68 holders.

An I-68 form is similar to a vehicle registration, and is not an identity document or a travel document.

Knowing what documents are required and having them ready when you return home will help streamline the entry process and ensure your return to the U.S. is as smooth as possible

Have questions about the service?

Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page

Need still 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 3/21/2011

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