Passport Services
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.
Important:
Due to the pandemic, we can only submit up to two applications via hand carry courier service a day. In addition, we will not be able to pick up the passports when they are issued in person. The U.S. State Department will only return them to us via USPS Priority Mail or UPS Express (additional fee applies). This will cause additional delay. Due to the high demand, please contact us ASAP so that we can schedule the submission as two can only be submitted a day.
For application process and requirements, please contact our office for updated information. The following are just guidelines. It is very important that you must complete your application form online and obtain a unique bar code that is correponding to the information you have submitted. YOU CANNOT COMPLETE A PAPER FORM OR A PDF FORM THAT IS DOWNLOADED.
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.
New Passport Requirements:
For new passports, the applicant must appear in person.
1. Assemble ALL of the documents below and go to your local Acceptance Agent (usually U.S. Postal Service and County Clerk’s Offices have a passport acceptance office).
- A certified official United States Birth Certificate (Texas and California “Abstract” birth certificates not accepted) or naturalization certificate
- Completed and Printed Application Form (DS-11). The application MUST be filled out electronically at: https://pptform.state.gov/. Handwritten forms are not accepted.
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
- Two Recent Passport-Style Color Photos - You CANNOT wear glasses in the photo.
- Travel Itinerary or a Copy of a Plane Ticket
- Photocopy of a Valid Driver’s License or State ID Card
- 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 $25.00 is paid to the agent and may be paid in cash.
- Two Authorization Letters (Please contact our office to receive the authorization letter form)
2. Tell the Acceptance Agent you intend to use “HAND-CARRY SERVICES”
3. 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.”
4. Send us the sealed envelope. 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.
Passport Renewal Requirements:
In order to renew a passport, the passport must be undamaged, issued when you were 16 years old or older, issued within the last 15 years, and issued with your current name. If your passport does not meet the passport renewal requirements, then you must apply for a new passport. Send us all of the following documents.
1. Most recent U.S. Passport
2. Completed and Signed Application Form (DS-82). The application must be filled out electronically at
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.
3. Two Recent Passport-Style Color Photos - You CANNOT wear glasses in the photo.
4. Travel Itinerary or a Copy of a Plane Ticket
5. Two Authorization Letters (Please contact our office to receive the authorization letter form)
6. Fee - Please contact our office.
For more details on the passport renewal requirements, please email us and we will send you our application package.
Lost or Stolen Passport Requirements:
For lost or stolen passports, the applicant must appear in person.
1. Assemble ALL of the documents below and go to your local Acceptance Agent (usually U.S. Postal Service and County Clerk’s Offices have a passport acceptance office).
- A certified official United States Birth Certificate (Texas and California “Abstract” birth certificates not
accepted) or naturalization certificate
- Completed and Printed Application Form (DS-11). The application must be filled out electronically at:
Instructions on how to fill the application form electronically:
- Agree to the privacy disclaimer. On the next page, click on “Apply Online”
- Enter all information requested from the U.S. Department of State
- On the summary of fee page, check only the $60 expedited fee and passbook fee and click submit
- Click “Create Form” and print out the form that will open as a PDF. DO NOT SIGN THE
APPLICATION UNTIL YOU ARE IN FRONT OF AN AGENT.
- Two Recent Passport-Style Color Photos - You CANNOT wear glasses in photo.
- Completed and Signed DS-64 Lost Passport Statement. The lost passport statement must be filled out
in black ink (download or click this link: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/212245.pdf).
- Travel Itinerary or a Copy of a Plane Ticket
- Photocopy of a Valid Driver’s License or State ID Card
- 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 $25.00 is paid to the agent and may be paid in cash.
- Two Authorization Letters (Please contact our office to receive the authorization letter form)
2. Tell the Acceptance Agent you intend to use “HAND-CARRY SERVICES"
3. 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.”
4. Send us the sealed envelope. 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 lost or stolen passport requirements, please email us and we will send you our application package.
Second Passport Requirements:
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. Send us all of the following documents.
1. Existing U.S. Passport
2. Completed and Signed Application Form (DS-82). The application must be filled out electronically at:
Instructions on how to fill the application form electronically:
- Agree to the privacy disclaimer. On the next page, click on “Apply Online”
- Enter all information requested from the U.S. Department of State
- On the summary of fee page, check only the $60 expedited fee and passbook fee and click submit
- Click “Create Form” and print out the form that will open as a PDF.
3. Two Recent Passport-Style Color Photos. It must not be the same passport photo as the original
passport photo. You CANNOT wear glasses in the photo.
4. Second Passport Request Form (download)
5. Travel Itinerary or a Copy of a Plane Ticket
6. Photocopy of a Valid Driver’s License or State ID Card
7. Two Authorization Letters (Please contact our office to receive the authorization letter form)
8. Fee Schedule (Download)
For more details on the second passport requirements, please email us and we will send you our application package.
Other Passport Services
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.
For more details about the requirements for a damaged passport, please contact our office at 312-368-9911 or info@usccc.org.
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.
For more details about the requirements for a child passport, please contact our office at 312-368-9911 or info@usccc.org.
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.
For more details about the requirements for a passport re-application, contact our office at 312-368-9911 or info@usccc.org.
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.
Please contact our offices for more details.
Processing Time
Regular Service Expedited Services Rush Service
6 Business Days 3 Business Days If you have an emergency, please contact our office at (312) 368-9911.
Generally, passport applications will be processed the following business day once received in our office.
Passport Fees (Download)
US Department of State Fees Costs
New Passport $190 + $19.53 UPS Express Shipping
New Passport for Minors (under 16) $160 + $19.53 UPS Express Shipping
Passport Renewal $190 + $19.53 UPS Express Shipping
Second Passport $190 + $19.53 UPS Express Shipping
Lost Passport $190 + $19.53 UPS Express Shipping
Damaged Passport $190 + $19.53 UPS Express Shipping
Passport Card $30
Passport Card for Minors (under 16) $30
* A Check or Money Order to “US Department of State” for the amount of $190.00 + $19.53 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 $25.00 must be paid to the agent in cash.
USCCC Fees Costs
Processing Fee - 3-5 Business Days $399
Processing Fee - 24 Hour or Same Day not available at this time
Shipping Fee (New Passport Back to Applicant) $32.50 UPS or $0 use your account
Shipping Fee (Old Passport Back to Applicant) $32.50 UPS or $0 use your account
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 5.7% 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.
Shipping
Please call our office at (312) 368-9911 to make sure that your materials meet the requirements before sending us your application materials. You can also email us a copy of your application materials at info@usccc.org, so we can check your application materials.
Once you have assembled all of the documents, you can send the application materials to:
ATTN: Visa Department
U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce
19 South La Salle Street, Suite 601
Chicago, IL 60603
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.
DS-11 Form. Click to download and complete.
DS-82 Form. Click to download and complete.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions about Passports