Passports in Colorado
To travel internationally, you must complete a passport application in Colorado. A passport card or book is an identification document that allows you to visit another country and re-enter the United States. Many residents believe you need to visit federal institutions to complete passport-related tasks.
However, there are several local facilities and agencies, including libraries and county clerks, which can process these requests. The difference in which type of facility you visit will depend on how urgent the request is. An agency administers an expedited passport while a facility will generally manage less time-restricted passport requests.
In addition to obtaining a new passport, you can also replace your lost passport or have it updated at your local center. For some tasks, you may complete them via mail if you meet eligibility requirements. As such, it is critical that understand the requirements and procedures for each task, as they can vary greatly.
Where to Get a Passport in Colorado
To obtain a passport card or book for the first time, residents must visit one of two local centers: a passport acceptance facility or a passport agency. Applicants must have an appointment and meet strict eligibility requirements to visit the passport agency. On the other hand, the passport acceptance facility may not require appointments.
Applicants who do not require the passport immediately typically visit their local facility. You must meet one of the following qualifications to apply in person:
- You are a first time applicant.
- You are a minor who is 15 years of age or younger.
- You were issued a passport as a minor or more than 15 years ago.
Colorado Passport Books vs. Cards
A passport card and a passport book are both valid identification documents. However, they differ in purpose and size. You can only use the card domestically, as it is not valid for international travel.
Residents may use it to return to the U.S. by land or seaports from Mexico, Bermuda, Canada and the Caribbean. In addition, it is more affordable and is smaller in size. If you are asking, “what is a passport book,” it is a document that can be used for all travel destinations as it holds the pages to document entry and exit dates in foreign countries.
It is important to note that you may obtain both the card and book, as they serve different purposes. Having both is especially beneficial if you have lost your passport, as you can use the other ID as a backup.
How to Get a Passport in Colorado
Getting a new passport in Colorado can greatly vary from one person to the next. For instance, minors must present a signed parental permission form from both parents, along with other documents, to obtain the passport. They must also provide proof of their relationship with their parent or legal guardian.
Applicants who are between 16 and 17 years of age must also provide a consent statement. Additional documentation requirements for underage applicants and adults include:
- A completed application form.
- U.S. citizenship proof, such as a birth certificate.
- Passport photographs.
The Colorado passport card cost depends on several factors: time, the applicant’s age and the passport type. If you need an expedited passport, you will have to pay more.
You will also have to pay more for a passport book than for the card. Moreover, the cost to process and produce a passport for a minor is less than for adults.
U.S. Passport Renewals in Colorado
To renew your US passport in Colorado, there are two methods: via mail or in person. To qualify for the mailing option, applicants must:
- Have a passport in good condition.
- Have a passport that was issued within the last 15 years.
- Have been over 16 years of age when their previous passport was issued.
- Have a passport that reflects their current name.
If you meet these qualifications, you must complete the passport renewal form and submit it in the envelope. You must also include a color photograph taken within the last six months, the appropriate fees and your old passport. Note that passport agencies and facilities do not accept cash sent via mail.
Applicants must send checks or money orders made payable to the U.S. Department of State. You might ask, “How much does it cost to renew your passport,” and the answer is it varies by applicant.
In addition, you must write “EXPEDITE” on the envelope if you want an expedited passport. While it is not mandatory to have a tracked delivery, it is recommended as it allows you to know exactly where your passport is and when it will arrive at the facility.
This can be a great benefit if you have lost your passport in the mail and need to find it. If you must renew your US passport in person, you will complete the same form for a new passport and present documentation for identification purposes.
How to Replace a Lost Passport in Colorado
You will need to replace your passport if you have a lost or damaged passport in Colorado. To complete the process, you must visit your local passport agency or acceptance facility. Your level of urgency to obtain a new passport will determine which center you visit.
Passport agencies can provide passports in less than three weeks, whereas acceptance facilities usually take a month or more to process the passport replacement request. Once you visit one of the centers in person, you must complete a lost passport form.
If you have a stolen passport in Colorado, it is imperative that you report it to the Bureau of Consular Affairs immediately. You are at risk of identity theft when you lose your passport, so you must report it to invalidate the passport to prevent others from using it. Reporting services are available online, in person and over the phone.
How to Complete a Passport Update in Colorado
Applicants who have recently changed their name or sex designation must obtain a passport update to accurately reflect their current identity. If there was a misprint on your passport, you must also update it. The steps for each vary and follow a unique process.
You must obtain a new or limited-validity passport to have a passport update reflect a sex designation change. The one you obtain will depend on the transition stage you are in.
To get a passport that will last five or 10 years, your transition must be complete. However, if you are in the process of transitioning, you will get a temporary passport that only lasts two years. In both cases, applicants must provide the following documents:
- A form of ID with your current appearance
- A recent passport photo
- A medical certification signed by a licensed physician with the office letterhead included.
- The legal proof of the name change, if applicable
For a name change, the procedures depend on when you request the updated passport. If you submit the request less than one year after the original is issued, you may send it via mail. You must include proof of the name change, your current passport and the completed form.
A request submitted more than one year after the original issuance date requires another form. In this case, there are strict eligibility requirements to submit it via mail. If you don’t meet them, you must complete the process in person at one of the US passport locations.
To obtain a passport update in Colorado due to a data or printing error, you must submit a completed form via mail and include evidence of the error as well as a passport photo in color. There is no cost to correct the errors.
Colorado Expedited Passport Service
If you have an expired passport and have upcoming international travel plans, you may obtain an expedited passport at your local passport agency. There is only one in the state and it is located in the city of Aurora. Passport agencies require appointments and have strict visit qualifications.
To qualify, applicants must prove that:
- They are traveling internationally in two weeks or less.
- They need a foreign visa immediately, or within in four weeks.
- There was an error on their recently issued passport.
While the US passport fees for an expedited passport are higher, applicants will receive their passport in a few days instead of four to six weeks.