How to Apply for a U.S. Passport

If you will be presenting a Texas birth certificate, it is recommended that you submit the long-form version to prevent any processing delays. Texas issued birth certificates must have a hospital name listed. Long-form birth certificates will have a hospital name listed, however, short-forms do not. Short-form Texas birth certificates are accepted ONLY if there is a letter “i” printed next to the date filed. The US Department of State will not accept short-form birth certificates without the letter “i” which stands for institutional use.

Long-form: Acceptable

Abstract of Birth: NOT ACCEPTABLE without letter i

You can order a certified copy of a Texas birth certificate online or in person. Find more information at the Birth Records webpage of the Texas DSHS. Alternatively, you can also order a short form version with the letter “I” at nearby county clerk offices and receive it the same day.

California issued birth certificates must also have a hospital name listed. Longform birth certificates will have a hospital name listed and are acceptable. California Certified Abstract of Births are generally NOT acceptable by the US Department of State. If you need to order a new California birth certificate, please visit the California Department of Public Health website at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/.

Long-form: Acceptable

Abstract of Birth: NOT ACCEPTABLE

Puerto Rico birth certificates must be issued after July 1, 2010 to be acceptable proof of citizenship as mandated by the Puerto Rico Birth Certificate Law of 2009.

Our office is located at 17217 Waterview Parkway Dallas, TX 75252. Office: ROC 2.902. You will see signs directing to our office once you are on Waterview Parkway.

UTD’s Passport Services Office is open from 8am-5pm. Passport services will not be available on university holidays or during university closures. You can view additional closures and updates under our announcements section on our main page- https://oics.utdallas.edu/passport-services/

You will need to bring in a proof of citizenship, proof of identity, a credit/debit card, AND a check/money order. For more information on what citizenship and ID is valid please visit the travel.state.gov website

We will need two types of payment, a credit/debit card AND a check/money order. Credit/debit card will be used to pay UTD fees. US Department of State fees can only be paid by check or money order. We cannot process the application without a check/money order. Do not include the $35 execution fee on the check, that is a separate payment to our office paid by card.

Yes, our office offers photo services. Please do not wear camouflage, government uniforms, and white. Head coverings and accessories are also not acceptable unless they are for religious or medical reasons.

No, our office does not accept walk-ins. We accept applicants with appointments only. To schedule an appointment please visit our website https://oics.utdallas.edu/passport-services/. You can also call us at 972-883-4715 if you do not see an appointment time that works for you.

The original documents you sent in with the application will be returned 2-4 weeks after you have received the passport. If you have not received your documents 4 weeks after please contact the National Passport Processing Center (877) 487-2778

Long-form birth certificates will have a hospital name listed, however, short-forms do not. Short-form Texas birth certificates are accepted ONLY if there is a letter “i” printed next to the date filed. The US Department of State will not accept short-form birth certificates without the letter “i” which stands for institutional use.

All applicants must be present, including minor/infant applicants. We cannot process the application without the applicants present.

If you have sole custody of your child, please bring the court document showing the agreement. If you are a single parent, you will not need the consent from the other parent.

No, you do not have to be present for their appointment. Preferably we have at least one parent present for the appointment, if you cannot make it your child will need to present their proof of citizenship and ID. A DS-3053 (parental consent form) can also be filled out by the parents to show consent.

If the other parent cannot be present, they will need to complete the DS-3053 form and get it notarized. We will need a photocopy of the ID they presented to the notary (ex. driver’s license will need the front & back)

If you cannot or do not have contact with the other parent, you will need to present court documents showing you have sole custody of your child. If you do not have court documents a DS-5525 (special family circumstances) can be filled out.

Yes, it is still recommended that you add them onto the application form even if they are deceased or do not have contact with them to avoid processing delays with your application.

If your legal name is different then what is on your proof of citizenship document, a court document or marriage certificate may be required. These documents must be original or certified copies (photocopies are not acceptable.)

Appointments should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. Multiple applicants or special circumstances may take longer.

We offer expedited processing that still takes 2-3 weeks to process. If you need your passport sooner than that, go to the Department of State’s Get My Passport Fast page for information on expediting your application, or making an appointment at a passport agency or center.

If you have a life-or-death emergency, go to our Life-or-Death Emergency page to see if you qualify for an appointment.

To track the status of your application please visit travel.state.gov. To login you will include your first & last name, date of birth and last four digits of your SSN.