Passports/Travel

The following information will assist you in finding information about obtaining passports and traveling abroad.  Senator Bayh’s office frequently helps Hoosiers who are having problems obtaining their passports.  If you cannot find an answer to your question in the information provided here, please contact Senator Bayh’s office here.  Please note that it is now required that Americans traveling by air to Bermuda, the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada have passports.  American adults (19+) crossing the border by land or sea from these countries will need to show proof of citizenship and government-issued photo identification.  Children only need to show proof of citizenship. 

Passports

New Applicants
To obtain a passport, applicants need to apply in person to one of 9,000 passport acceptance facilities across the United States.
The location nearest to you can be found here.  Applicants will need to bring the following items to apply for a passport:

1. Application for passport unsigned (also available at the passport acceptance facilities)
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship (ex. certified birth certificate)
3. Proof of Identity (ex. driver’s license or military ID)
4. Two passport-size photos (2x2, color, identical, head-on)
5. Passport fees (age 16+: $100; age 15 and under: $85)

Renewal Applicants
The easiest way renew a passport is by mail.  To renew the passport by mail, you must have:

1. An undamaged passport
2. Received it within the last 15 years
3. Received it when you were aged 16 or older
4. The same name as listed on the passport*

If you meet the above requirements, please mail in a padded envelope:

1. Passport renewal form signed and dated
2. Your most recent passport
3. Two passport-size photos (2x2, color, identical, head-on)
4. $75 fee payable to U.S. Department of State

*5.  Certified copy of the legal document specifying your name change, not photocopied (ex. Marriage certificate)

National Passport Processing
P.O. Box 13349
Philadelphia, PA 19101-3349

Expedited Service
Typically passports take 4-6 weeks to process.  Expedited service is offered for both new and renewal applicants, and usually cuts the time to 3 weeks.  Expedited service costs an additional $60 plus overnight shipping costs.  Renewal applicants sending their applications overnight and using a carrier that will not deliver to a P.O. Box should send their materials and a prepaid overnight return envelope to:

National Passport Processing
Attn: Department 13349
1617 Brett Road
New Castle, DE 19720

Additional Information
New Applicant Information
Renewal Applicant Information
Online Application Status Check
Urgent Request Passport Information
National Passport Information Center
877-487-2778

Travel Abroad

The United States Department of State, specifically the Bureau of Consular Affairs through U.S. Embassies and Consulates, seeks to assist Americans who are traveling or living in foreign countries by offering a wealth of information and help should you need it during your time abroad.

Travel Warnings
The State Department occasionally issues travel warnings for a country, advising Americans to avoid travel there.  To find the State Department’s list of countries with current travel warnings, click here.

Consular Information Sheets
The State Department maintains Consular Information Sheets for every country in the world.   The sheets contain helpful information for travelers, such as the location of the U.S. embassy in the country, health conditions, political situations, currency, and crime and security information.  To find Consular Information Sheets, click here.

Tips for Travel Abroad
The State Department provides an extensive array of travel tips for Americans traveling abroad.  Information ranges from taking your pets with you abroad to voting absentee while overseas.  Tips can be found here.

Overseas Emergencies
The Overseas Citizens Services offers advice to citizens who have an emergency abroad, such as a death, arrest, robbery or another after-hours emergency.  They can be reached from overseas at 202-501-4444 or at 1-888-407-4747.