Where to Get a Passport in Tennessee

The passport application process requires you to locate your nearest passport acceptance facility and submit a request for a new passport in person. Federal buildings such as public libraries, post offices and courthouses are often utilized as passport acceptance facilities.

In fact, Tennessee has around 120 passport offices available for residents in the state to visit. If you cannot locate a passport office in your area, search nearby towns and cities.

Most of these facilities operate during established business hours and require scheduled appointments for U.S. passport services. In order to prevent potential delays, call your nearest office in advance and check their operating procedures. Generally, locations that accept walk-ins have longer wait times, so scheduling an appointment might be more convenient.

Tennessee Passport Books vs Cards

You may be familiar with the traditional booklet known as a passport book, but now you can also get a passport card for your travel purposes. Both forms of passport provide information about your personal identity such as your photograph, name, date of birth and Tennessee address.

They are also both Real ID compliant and usable for domestic travel. There are some key differences to consider when choosing between a passport book and a passport card.

What is a passport book?

The most important distinction between the navy blue U.S. passport book and card is that the books are mandatory for international air travel. Typically, passport booklets come with 17 pages available for visas and entry and exit stamps. Without these, you would not be authorized to travel abroad.

What is a passport card?

For travelers who frequently travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean by land or sea, the plastic wallet-sized passport card might be a good option. The passport card cost is also a fair deal less than a passport book. If you are only traveling to these select destinations, and do not fly, it would be more cost effective to buy a passport card.

How to Get a New Passport in Tennessee

Getting a passport in Tennessee is a simple as heading to one of the passport offices near you. The passport application process isn’t any different in Tennessee than anywhere else in the United States. The only requirement to receiving a U.S. passport is to be a citizen, either by birth or naturalization. If any of these circumstances apply, you must apply for a new passport in person:

• You are applying for your first passport.
• You are getting a passport replacement.
• You are younger than 16 years old.
• Your latest passport was issued before you turned 16 years old.
• Your latest passport was issued over 15 years ago.

Note: If you are requesting a renewal, your application must be submitted by mail.

Required Documents

You must submit the following documents at a Tennessee acceptance facility to complete your passport application:

• A completed application
• Evidence of your citizenship or naturalization
• Valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license
• An acceptable passport photo
• Payment for the processing fees

Children’s Passport Additional Requirements

In order to protect children from potential harm, the Department of state requires that all U.S. passport applications for children under 16 are completed in person. Also, anyone who applies on behalf of a minor must prove their relationship to finish the process. Furthermore, both parents must be present during the passport application process. If, for any reason, one parent cannot attend, they must sign a consent form and submit it with the other parent.

U.S. Passport Renewals in Tennessee

Any Tennessean who needs to renew a U.S. passport can apply conveniently by mail. The process remains the same between each state. The cost of a passport varies by facility, because some offices may have additional processing fees.

To complete the U.S. passport renewal process, applicants can mail their requests to the National Passport Processing Center. Mailed applications must include:

• The applicant’s latest passport.
  • In good, legible condition.
  • Issued within the last 15 years.
  • Issued after the applicant turned 16 years old.
• A completed renewal form.
• An acceptable passport photograph.
• Payment for the renewal fees.

How to Replace a Lost Passport in Tennessee

If you have a lost, stolen or damaged passport, you are going to need a replacement before your next international voyage. Obtaining a passport replacement used the same process as applying for a new passport.

However, if you have a lost or stolen passport, you must file a report to protect yourself from identity theft. Once a passport has been reported, it will no longer be valid for use.

Report your lost passport by:

• Mailing a lost passport form.
• Calling the National Passport Information Center.
• Filing an online report on the Department of State’s website.

How to Complete a Passport Update in Tennessee

There are many circumstances in your life where your name changes and you must perform a passport update. Depending on whether or not you can provide certified proof of your name change and when your last passport was issued, your update process may differ.

1. If your name changes and your passport was issued less than a year ago, you can complete a passport name change without any application fees.
2. If your last passport was issued over one year ago, you must apply at an acceptance facility and submit proof of your name change.
3. If you cannot provide legal documentation of your name change, you must have two people vouch for you. They must have known you by both names and sign an affidavit stating so. You will also be asked to provide proof that you have been using your new name for the last five years.

Note: Passport updates for data or printing errors are performed for free.

Tennessee Expedited Passport Service

If you are in a hurry and need a passport quickly, you can request expedited passport service for the following reasons:

• Standard Expediting Service.
  • Costs an additional expediting fee.
  • Passports arrive in less than four weeks.
• Urgent International Travel Plans.
  • When you are traveling in one month.
  • Visit your nearest regional passport agency (Atlanta).
  • Passports arrive in two to three weeks.
• Life-or-death emergencies.
  • When you must travel within 72 hours.
  • Call the National Passport Information Center for this service.
  • You must provide proof of the emergency with your passport application.

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