Passports in Oregon
Oregonians who want to represent the Beaver State internationally abroad are going to need a U.S. passport before they can travel. A passport allows them to request foreign governments to travel or temporarily reside in their territories.
Moreover, getting a passport will allow citizens of the United States to access U.S. consular services and assistance during their travels. Once the journey is over, their passport will be the key to re-entering the United States.
Your U.S. passport will contain identifying information such as your photograph, name, date of birth and the address of your Oregon residence. Passports issued by the United States Department of State are travel documents that will prove your U.S. citizenship at home or anywhere around the world.
Each individual citizen needs a passport when traveling to other nations, including children and infants. Read more to discover the various passport services available for Oregonians.
Where to Get a Passport in Oregon
When submitting a passport application for a new passport, you must visit one of the passport acceptance facilities available in Oregon. There are currently around 80 passport offices located in the state, and the largest number of facilities are located in Portland. Typically, post offices, county clerk offices and other municipal buildings serve as local passport acceptance facilities.
Since these passport offices also serve other functions, they often have limited operating hours and require scheduled appointments. Call your local facilities and identify a passport office that is nearby and fits your schedule, then gather all your required documents before your visit.
For a U.S. passport renewal, you must fill out a renewal form and submit it by mail. You are also required to enclose the required documents and payment for the appropriate fees in a sealed envelope. Passport renewal applications can be mailed to a National Passport Processing Center to complete the process.
Oregon Passport Books vs. Cards
Both the U.S. passport card and book are travel documents that can be used to prove your citizenship and identity. These documents both contain information about your identity such as your photograph, name, date of birth and Oregon home address.
Both forms are compliant with Real ID regulations and can be used for domestic air travel. Passport books are small booklets with U.S. official seals on their navy blue cover whereas, passport cards are plastic wallet-sized cards.
What is a passport book used for?
Your U.S. passport book is your ticket to traveling internationally. All passport books come with pages that are designated for visa stamps, which permit you travel between different countries. With a passport book, you will be eligible for international travel by air, sea or land after you acquire the appropriate visas.
What is a passport card used for?
If you get a passport card, you can use it to travel by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. For non-drivers or children, a passport card can be used as a valid form of identification. Although they cannot be used for international air travel, a passport card costs significantly less than a passport book. This can make them a good option if they meet your all of travel needs.
How to Get a Passport in Oregon
Getting a new passport in Oregon has the same requirements as the rest of the country. The only prerequisite is that you must be a citizen or national of the United States. However, the application methods differ depending on if you apply for a new passport or a passport renewal. You must submit your application in person at an acceptance facility if:
- You are applying for your first passport.
- You are replacing a damaged, lost or stolen passport.
- You are younger than 16 years old.
- Your last passport was issued when you were younger than 16 years old.
- Your last passport was issued over 15 years ago.
Note: Only applications for new passports are accepted in person at a local acceptance facility. If you are applying for a passport replacement or renewal, you must mail your application to a National Passport Information Center.
Required Documents
Before you stop by a passport acceptance facility, it is important to ensure that you have all the documents you need to complete your passport application. Necessary documents include:
- A completed new passport form
- A document proving your citizenship
- An acceptable photo ID, like a driver’s license
- A color passport photo
- Payment for the S. passport fees
If you are applying for a child’s passport, you must submit additional documents for safety purposes. When applying, you must prove your relationship to the child and both parents must also appear in person. Parents who cannot appear in person must provide a signed consent form to be submitted along with the child’s passport application.
U.S. Passport Renewals in Oregon
Residents of Oregon who need to renew a U.S. passport must submit their applications by mail. Passport renewals can only be completed if applicants still have their most recent passport available and it was:
- Issued in their current name.
- Issued in the last 15 years.
- Issued after they turned 16 years old.
- Not damaged besides expected wear.
In order to complete the application process, you must fill out your passport renewal form and enclose it in an envelope along with your passport, photograph, and payment for the renewal fees. How much does it cost to renew your passport? That depends on whether you are renewing a passport book, card or both. Once compiled, mail all of your documents to a National Passport Processing Center and you will receive your new passport in four to six weeks.
How to Replace a Lost Passport in Oregon
If you have a damaged passport that is no longer legible you will need to replace it before your next international trip. A stolen or misplaced passport must be replaced too, but you will also need to file an official report.
The application process to replace a lost passport is the same as applying for a new passport, and must be completed in person at a passport acceptance facility. To report a passport loss or theft, you can submit a report:
- Online through the U.S. Department of State’s website.
- Via mail after completing and signing a lost passport form.
- Over the phone by calling the National Passport Information Center.
Note: After a report has been filed, the missing passport will no longer be valid for use during international travel.
How to Complete a Passport Update in Oregon
There are certain circumstances where you may need to apply to perform a passport update. For example, you may need a passport name change after a marriage or divorce.
If you are requesting an update less than one year after your passport was issued, you will not have to pay any fees for the name change. For requests over one year after your passport was issued, you must apply in person and include your certified name change documents.
If you are currently using your new name but do not have any records of the change, you have different requirements for updating your U.S. passport. First, you must submit three certified records showing that you have used your new name for at least five years. Additionally, you must also have two people vouch for your name change.
Affidavit forms must be completed and signed by two people who have known you by both of your names. If your passport has a printing or data error and is still valid, you can have it corrected with no fees or charges.
Oregon Expedited Passport Service
In some emergency circumstances, you may need to obtain your U.S. passport in a hurt. Typically, passport services take four to six weeks to complete, but there are options to expedite the process for an additional fee. You can receive expedited services for:
- A standard passport application.
- Available on both in-person and mailed applications.
- You will usually receive your passport in less than four weeks.
- Urgent travel plans.
- You must make an appointment at your nearest passport agency (Seattle) and submit your request.
- You will usually receive your passport within two weeks.
- Life-or-death emergencies (traveling in 72 hours).
- Call the National Passport Information Center for their emergency passport service.
- You must provide proof of the emergency with your application.
- You will receive your passport within one to two days.