Passport Processing Update
July 17, 2021
We have heard that the U.S. State Department has a backlog of 1 million passport application requests (mainly renewal). The average processing time for expedited service via couriers is up to 12 weeks.
The good news is: Effective August 2, 2021 the hand-carry program for registered couriers with the Chicago Passport Agency will resume. The daily courier allocations will be as follows:
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Two (2) 3 day Mailout Slots
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Drop off times will be between 8am -8:30
U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce is pleased that it will have two (2) 3 day mailout slots available. Please contact Mai Hoang at 312-368-9029 or maihoang@usccc.org for further information.
How can we help you?
Please review our FAQs section for information on completing passport services application forms and for a list of common mistakes made when completing the forms.
Passport Services
New Passport Applications
Who needs to apply for a new passport:
You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if at least one of the following is true:
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You are applying for your first U.S. passport
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You are under age 16
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Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16
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Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
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Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago
Why appear in person? Where?
U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce will still be able to process your passport application, but you will need to appear before your local passport acceptance agency for identification purposes, and seal all of your original documents in an envelope with their signature before sending them to us.
Instructions:
1. Contact us before sending us any packages so that we can schedule your passport application appointment and send you an application package.
2. Assemble ALL of the documents below and go to your local Acceptance Agent to seal them in an envelope.
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A certified official United States Birth Certificate (Texas and California “Abstract” birth certificates not accepted) or naturalization certificate
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Completed and Printed Application Form (DS-11). The application MUST be filled out electronically at: https://pptform.state.gov/. Handwritten forms are not accepted. The electronically filled out document should have a bar code for processing. DO NOT SIGN THIS FORM UNTIL YOU ARE IN FRONT OF THE AGENT.
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Two Recent Passport-Style Color Photos - You CANNOT wear glasses in the photo. [Click here to view passport photo requirements]
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Travel Itinerary or a Copy of a Plane Ticket
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Photocopy of a Valid Driver’s License or State ID Card
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A Check or Money Order to “US Department of State” for the amount of $170.00. Write your date of birth on the government payment. A fee of $35.00 is paid to the agent sealing your envelope and may be paid in cash.
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Two Authorization Letters (Please contact our office to receive the authorization letter form)
3. Tell the Acceptance Agent you intend to use “HAND-CARRY SERVICES”
4. The Acceptance Agent will take all documents. Sign the application in front of the agent. The Acceptance Agent will seal all the documents in a “security envelope.”
5. Send us the sealed envelope at least a week before your passport appointment. If the Acceptance Agent sealed both authorization letters in the envelope, make sure to sign another letter and send it with the sealed envelope. Also send us the fee schedule. (Download)
For more details on the new passport requirements, please contact our office so we can email you our application package.
DS-11 Form for
new passports.
Do not sign until you are in front of acceptance agent.
Instructions on how to fill the application form electronically:
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Agree to the privacy disclaimer. On the next page, click on “Apply Online”
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Enter all information requested from the U.S. Department of State
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On the summary of fee page, check only the $60 expedited fee and passbook fee and click submit
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Click “Create Form” and print out the form that will open as a PDF.
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Print out form
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Do not sign application until you are in front of an agent
Passport Fee Schedule
* Due to increased cost during the pandemic, our 5-8 business days fee has increased to $299. Our 3-5 business days processing fee has increased to $349. Same day processing is not currently available.
Passport Renewal Applications
Who qualifies for passport renewal:
You must be able to answer 'YES' to ALL of the questions below in order to renew your U.S. Passport by mail.
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Is your passport in your possession? Can you submit it with your application?
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Is your passport undamaged other than normal wear and tear?
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Where you issued this passport when you were age 16 or older?
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Was your passport issued within the last 15 years?
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Is the name on your passport still accurate?
If you answered 'No' to any of the questions above, please see the 'New Passport Application.'
Instructions:
1. Contact us before sending your passport so that we can schedule your passport renewal appointment and send you an application package.
2. Assemble the documents below and mail them to us at least a week before your appointment.
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Your most recent U.S. Passport.
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Completed and Printed Application Form (DS-82). The application MUST be filled out electronically at: https://pptform.state.gov/. Handwritten forms are not accepted. The electronically filled out document should have a bar code for processing.
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Two Recent Passport-Style Color Photos - You CANNOT wear glasses in the photo. [Click here to view passport photo requirements]
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Travel Itinerary or a Copy of a Plane Ticket
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Two Authorization Letters (Please contact our office to receive the authorization letter form)
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Fee Schedule and payment.
For more details on the new passport requirements, please contact our office so we can email you our application package.
DS-82 Form for
passport renewal.
Instructions on how to fill the application form electronically:
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Agree to the privacy disclaimer. On the next page, click on “Apply Online”
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Enter all information requested from the U.S. Department of State
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On the summary of fee page, check only the $60 expedited fee and passbook fee and click submit
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Click “Create Form” and print out the form that will open as a PDF.
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Print out form
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Do not sign application until you are in front of an agent
Passport Fee Schedule
* Due to increased cost during the pandemic, our 5-8 business days fee has increased to $299. Our 3-5 business days processing fee has increased to $349. Same day processing is not currently available.
Lost or Stolen Passport
*** A lost or stolen passport should be reported to the U.S. State Department immediately to avoid identity theft. Use the U.S. State Department's Online Form Filler to do so.
Instruction for the form filler:
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Check the box 'I have read the Privacy and Computer Fraud ad Abuse Act Notices and Disclaimers.'
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Click Submit.
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In the next screen, click on "Report Lost or Stolen"
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Click Submit.
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Follow the directions.
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If you intend to apply for a new passport immediately this form will give you the option to do so.
*** If you intend to apply for a replacement passport through U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce, you will need to follow all of the steps in the "New Passport Applications" Section. Contact us before proceeding.
*** If you are overseas and your passport is lost or stolen, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. If your passport was stolen, they may advise you to get a police report. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will also process a new passport application on your behalf.
Other Passport Services
Second Passport
U.S. passport holders who travel frequently overseas can apply for a second passport. A second passport allows you to travel with one passport while the other is being processed for visas and other travel documentation. A second passport is also recommended for those who travel to Israel and to Arab countries. The second passport will only be valid for two years.
If you would like to use USCCC Passport Services, contact us before proceeding.
Damaged Passport
If your passport is still valid and has been damaged, then a damaged passport application is required. Applicants must appear in person at the local Acceptance Agent to obtain a new passport.
If you would like to use USCCC Passport Services, contact us before proceeding.
Child Passport
For minors under the age of 16 must apply in person. All minors regardless of age must have their own passport while traveling internationally. The applicant and both parents must appear in person at the local acceptance agent. One parent may be absent as long as the Non-Present Parental Consent Form is filled out. The parents must sign on behalf of the applicant in front of the acceptance agent.
If you would like to use USCCC Passport Services, contact us before proceeding.
Name Change (Passport Re-Application)
If your name has changed since your passport was issued, AND your passport is LESS than a year old, you must apply for a re-application of your passport. If your passport was issued over a year ago and you need to change your name on your passport, you must apply for a passport renewal. If your passport was issued over a year ago and you CANNOT legally document your name change, you must apply for a new passport.
If you would like to use USCCC Passport Services, contact us before proceeding.
Passport Card
You can also apply for a U.S. Passport Card. A U.S. Passport Card is valid when entreing the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land boarder crossing or sea ports-of-entry. They are not valid for international air travel. They are more less expensive than a passport book. You are apply for a U.S. Passport Card in addition to a passport book. The passport card is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16 years old.
A passport card (or book) is a valid alternative to state-issued ID for Real ID Verification.
If you would like to use USCCC Passport Services, contact us before proceeding.
Passport Fees
U.S. Department of State Fees
* A Check or Money Order to “US Department of State” for the amount of $170.00 must be submitted to the local acceptance agent along with the rest of the required documents when the applicant uses hand-carry services. Write your date of birthday on the government payment. A fee of $35.00 must be paid to the agent in cash.
U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce Fees
USCCC accepts cash, credit card or check. If you would like to pay by check, please make the check payable to US-China Chamber of Commerce. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express credit cards. Please note that a 4.9% credit card fee applies to the total cost.
* Any additional work required to complete a visa in a timely manner may be subjected to an additional charge. For example, additional trips to the US Department of State or personal passport delivery.
** USCCC can ship the completed passport, receipt, and other original documents (i.e. birth certificates) using the applicant's FedEx or UPS shipping account. If the applicant does not have a shipping account, we will charge a shipping fee to cover the cost of shipping. The estimated shipping cost is $32.50. For renewals, old passports will be shipped back separately and will incur a separate shipping charge.