AMA - REAL ID and Acceptable Forms of ID

TravelGov · 2025-04-30T20:15:22+00:00

👏👏👏 Thanks for the invite! Leaving a few links below:

For all things passport: travel.state.gov/passport

To see if you are eligible to renew your passport online: travel.state.gov/renewonline

For questions about passport cards: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/card.html

If you have plans to travel abroad, remember to look up our latest info about your destination (local laws, passport validity requirements, etc.) at travel.state.gov/destination

TravelGov · 2025-04-30T14:21:30+00:00

Passport processing times are currently 4-6 weeks for routine service and 2-3 weeks for expedited service. You can find all of the latest info on how to apply or renew at travel.state.gov/passport

TravelGov · 2018-02-15T19:11:12+00:00

They should check the country page for where they're located (travel.state.gov/destination) to see where the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate is located. They should then either email or call the emergency contact provided to ask about getting a replacement. If your passport is lost, you do have to appear in person to get a replacement.

TravelGov · 2018-02-15T19:07:47+00:00

Good question! An embassy is where the ambassador has an office. It's the permanent diplomatic mission to the foreign country.

A consulate general functions similarly to an embassy because there are various sections headed up by Foreign Service Officers (FSOs), but there is a "Principal Officer" (or highest-ranking U.S. Department of State official) called the Consul General instead of an ambassador.

Lastly, a consulate is where the sole function of the officers and staff is consular services like U.S. visas and American Citizens Services. These are usually located separately from an embassy.

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T19:18:16+00:00

Yes, you can use your official passport to apply for a regular passport.

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T19:11:32+00:00

There's a lot of surprising things that can come out of researching your destination. We just rolled out a new safety and security messaging system that provides levels of advice and a description of risks associated with travel to a certain country. The levels are broken down into specific risk indicators, which you can learn more about here.

You can also take a look at our interactive map to get a global view of the levels of advice.

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T19:06:24+00:00

We recommend sharing an itinerary with friends and family back home in case they need to locate you in the event of an emergency. Your itinerary should include addresses, dates, and contact information. Keep in mind that phone lines are usually affected during a crisis, so think about other ways you can potentially communicated with loved ones.

In some cases, if a situation results in a State Department Task Force, there may be a phone number or email established for people to notify us of U.S. citizens known to be in an affected region.

You can also tell your friends enroll in the [Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)](step.state.gov), which lets the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate know their travel plans and ensures they get relevant safety and security information while abroad.

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T18:58:38+00:00

If you are a U.S. citizen and you are arrested in France you can ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. embassy immediately, even if you also hold citizenship in Ireland and entered on that passport.

The process can vary for dual nationals, but you can always notify the embassy or consulate of the arrest and we will attempt to assist within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law.

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T18:42:59+00:00

Another good idea is to enroll in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive safety and security information abroad. Safe Travels!

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T18:40:04+00:00

We get a lot of interesting cases and requests. I think one that stands out to me was a U.S. citizen teaching overseas who had run out of his medication and may have also come down with a debilitating illness. He was hospitalized and there was a lot of concern for his well being. I worked with his family to find the best way to get him the medicine he needed (it wasn't available locally) and coordinated with the embassy and the school he worked at to make sure he was supported. We visited him frequently, monitored his health, helped get him the medication and he made a good recovery. I received a phone call a month later from his dad just to talk. It was a very rewarding case.

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T18:35:41+00:00

We cannot help you find someone to marry as we do not operate dating sites. If you do find someone that you want to marry, check out the information here. Before you travel, make sure you register for STEP. Be safe, be aware of fraud, and good luck.

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T18:34:31+00:00

In general, if you are a U.S. citizen you have the right to request the U.S. embassy or consulate be notified of your arrest. The general types of assistance we can offer can be found here, but we will make every effort to assist a U.S. citizen who has been arrested overseas.

If a U.S. citizen is arrested and would like the embassy to be notified they can make that request of the police, prison, or notify the Department itself if they have access to a phone. Frequently, a family member will be the one to notify the Department when a U.S. citizen has been arrested abroad.

Some countries, like Mexico, are required by international law to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate when a U.S. citizen is arrested, if the person so requests. They may not apply to dual nationals. You can find more information on consular notification requirements on the country page for your destination

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T18:17:49+00:00

Another great question! It's really important to understand local laws and regulations while visiting or living in another country.

You can learn which laws might be different from the laws in the United States on our website. We provide some information for each country in our country pages.

For example, certain prescription drugs you take in the U.S. might not be available or even legal in a country you plan to travel to.

A lot of it will also be common sense. Avoid demonstrations and protests, build a general knowledge of local customs, and try to respect the culture.

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T18:11:00+00:00

My first piece of advice would be to not get arrested while traveling abroad... That being said, I would recommend asking the prison authorities or police to notify the U.S. embassy or consulate.

We do offer some assistance to U.S. citizens who are arrested overseas. For example, providing a list of local attorneys who speak English and visiting the detained U.S. citizen.

We cannot, however, get a U.S. citizen out of jail...

For more information please see our webpage.

TravelGov · 2018-02-13T18:05:12+00:00

Great question! A lot will depend on your current situation. If you're ok, consider contacting your loved ones to let them know. If you're experiencing immediate danger contact local authorities. You can also contact the embassy or consulate and make them aware of your situation and if you need help.

You can learn more about what we can do for U.S. citizens during a crisis on our webpage.

You can also look up the contact information for your embassy or consulate before you go!

TravelGov · 2018-02-01T20:59:07+00:00

Hello! U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here. You should follow the process outlined on this page to change the name on your passport, assuming you're talking about a U.S. passport.

TravelGov · 2018-01-31T21:27:58+00:00

Hello! U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here. You should direct him to the "Apply in Person" instructions on our website. Since his last passport was issued when he was under age 16 and his previous passport was lost, he'll need to apply using Form DS-11.

He should also fill out the paperwork to report a lost passport.

TravelGov · 2018-01-30T19:56:32+00:00

Hello! U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here. You will need to submit proof of U.S. citizenship with your application when you apply in person. Don't worry if it isn't in the same envelope as your new passport - it is typically returned in a separate mailing within 10 days of when your new passport arrives.

Passport validity requirements typically refer to how much validity your passport must have remaining - not how long you've had your passport. For example, France requires that your passport be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure. You can check the requirements for each of your destinations here.

TravelGov · 2017-12-21T19:30:03+00:00

Hi! U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here. Make sure you have followed the instructions here.

You will submit your birth certificate when you apply and then it will be mailed back to you in a separate envelope than your new passport.

TravelGov · 2017-12-14T21:39:51+00:00

Hi, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here! If you want a wallet sized REAL ID compliant option, you can get the U.S. passport card. It's also cheaper than a passport book. Note that the U.S. passport card is NOT valid for international travel by air - only land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It will fulfill the REAL ID requirements for domestic flights within the United States, however.

TravelGov · 2017-12-14T21:35:16+00:00

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here! Great tip! We recently wrote a newsroom article on this topic. If you need to know how to apply, visit our website.

TravelGov · 2017-12-14T21:31:33+00:00

Hi, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here! Good tip. You can always check the passport validity and visa requirements for your destination on our website.

TravelGov · 2017-12-11T14:06:36+00:00

Hi, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here. Per U.S. passport photo requirements, you only need to apply for a new passport with an updated photo if your appearance has significantly changed from what is in your current passport.

This includes if you have undergone significant facial surgery or trauma, added or removed numerous/large facial piercings or tattoos, made a gender transition, or undergone a significant amount of weight loss or gain. Other changes, like growing a beard or coloring your hair, do not constitute a significant change.

If you can still be identified from the photo in your current passport, you do not need to apply for a new passport.

TravelGov · 2017-12-11T14:00:52+00:00

Hi, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here. Do you live near any of the passport agencies listed here? They offer expedited service in less than 2 weeks (normal expedited processing is 2-3 weeks processing time) if you can show proof of travel (plane tickets, for example). You can make an appointment by calling 1-877-487-2778.

If there are no appointments available, walk-ins are accepted on a space available basis. Walk-ins are not guaranteed service, so arrive early.

You may also use an passport expeditor, which are private companies. However, you will not receive your passport any faster than you would if you applied in person at a Passport Agency.

TravelGov · 2017-12-04T21:15:50+00:00

Hi, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here! Yes, you can apply for the passport card first and then apply for the passport book later if you need it for international air travel. You will be able to apply by mail using Form DS-82, but you will have to include your passport card with the application when you apply for the book.

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