Passports in Georgia
A passport application in Georgia is necessary to travel internationally. Your passport card or book is a form of identification that includes information such as your photo, full name and date of birth.
If you plan to travel out the country, you must obtain a passport to gain temporary entry into a foreign country. You may also use the passport to travel domestically.
The process to obtain a passport can be tedious. It requires the collection of several documents and a visit to a passport office. Receiving a passport typically takes a few weeks.
As such, it is important to start the process early, especially if you have upcoming travel plans. However, there are also expedited passport services available for emergencies, but these services have strict eligibility requirements to qualify. Find out how to obtain the initial passport and learn how to renew and replace your passport.
Where to Get a Passport in Georgia
To get a regular passport card or book, you must visit a passport acceptance facility. There are over 178 facilities in the city and they include clerk offices, libraries and post offices.
Typically, setting an appointment is not mandatory. However, it can reduce your wait time and ease the process. Before you visit the acceptance facility, you must meet one of these qualifications:
- You are applying for the first time.
- Your most recent passport was issued when you were a minor.
- Your most recent passport was issued 15 years ago.
If you need an expedited passport within three weeks, you must visit a passport agency. For more information on the eligibility requirements to visit an agency, review the last section.
Georgia Passport Books vs. Cards
A passport card is a small document that you can use to identify yourself. It is REAL ID-compliant, which means that you can use it to travel domestically. While many use it for that purpose, you can also use it as a form of ID in various scenarios.
What is a passport book? It is a booklet that is mostly used to travel internationally. It contains blank pages in which customs agents document entries and exits in foreign countries. Many Georgia residents choose to purchase both as they serve different purposes.
How to Get a Passport in Georgia
Traveling overseas requires obtaining a passport book in Georgia. All applicants must visit the office in person for the initial request whereas you can submit a renewal request via mail. Required documentation includes:
- A completed passport application form.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship.
- Passport photographs.
Residents who are 17 years of age or younger will have to provide a signed consent form from their parent or legal guardian. They must also provide proof of their relationship to prove they have the authority to give consent.
Once you supply all the necessary documents, you must also pay the passport card cost. Fees for passport cards are less expensive as they are limited and have shorter expiration dates.
U.S. Passport Renewals in Georgia
To renew your U.S. passport in Georgia, you must do so via mail. You must collect documents such as color passport photos, your most recent passport and a completed passport renewal form. You must also attach the appropriate fee payment as a check or money order.
For an expedited passport, you must write “EXPEDITE” on the mailing envelope. In this case, the passport will come in less than three weeks.
How much does it cost to renew your passport? This depends on how quickly you want the passport and what type of passport you are purchasing. There are some reasons that may require you to complete the new passport application process in person.
These reasons include a damaged passport and a passport that is more than 15 years old. These along with other reasons can make certain applicants ineligible for renewals.
How to Replace a Lost Passport in Georgia
To replace a lost passport in Georgia, you can visit a passport agency or passport acceptance facility. Once there, you will fill out a new application form for the passport replacement. Note that if you have a passport that is damaged beyond regular wear and tear, you must follow these same steps toward obtaining a new one.
As for a stolen passport, this exposes you to many dangers, namely identity theft. As such, it is essential that you notify the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) as soon as possible. To file the report, you can complete the correct form and submit it via mail or online.
You can also contact the CA over the phone. Your old passport will be invalid once the report is complete. You may begin the steps for getting a new passport after successfully completing this task.
How to Complete a Passport Update in Georgia
Passport books expire every five years for minors and every 10 years for adults. However, in some cases, Georgia residents must obtain a passport update if they have undergone a major life change. This includes a name change and sex designation.
For a passport name change, applicants can submit the request via mail by completing a form if they have proof of the change. If they cannot provide proof, they must visit a passport office in person.
As for a sex designation passport update, you can also perform this task via mail. You must include a completed form and attach a medical certification form, recent passport photo and recent ID.
If you are still in transition, you will receive a temporary passport, known as a limited-validity passport. Once the transition is complete, you will receive one that lasts as long as a regular passport.
If you recently obtained a passport and it has an error, that is also a valid reason for a passport update. Simply complete the appropriate form and mail the request form with proof of the error. The change will be at no cost to you.
Georgia Expedited Passport Service
If you plan to travel out of the United States in three weeks or less, it might be best to obtain an expedited passport. Firstly, note that while you can obtain two-day delivery for a passport book, it is not available for passport cards, if that is your only purchase.
To fulfill this request, you must visit the only agency in Georgia, which is in the city of Atlanta. It requires an appointment and to qualify, you must demonstrate one of the following:
- An error in your passport.
- An immediate need for a foreign visa.
- International travel plans in less than two weeks.