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Apply Outside the United States
Applying for a U.S. passport outside the United States is different than applying inside the United States.
You must apply in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Each U.S. embassy and consulate has different procedures for submitting and processing your final documents, but the forms, supporting documentation, fees, and finished products are the same.
Please note: We do not offer expedited processing when you apply outside the United States. In an emergency, embassies or consulates can issue limited-validity passports.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I call the toll-free number for the National Passport Information Center from outside the United States?
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No. If you have questions while you are outside the United States, please visit your local U.S. embassy or consulate website for information.
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Can I pay with a personal check or money order outside the United States?
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No. U.S. embassies and consulates can only accept cash (local currency or U.S. dollars), or in some cases, credit cards. Please see the website of your embassy or consulate to confirm the forms of payment they accept.
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Can I pay extra for expedited service or shipping?
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No. The expedited service and shipping fees do not apply outside the United States. Your local U.S. embassy or consulate will tell you about pick-up or mailing options. Embassies and consulates can issue a limited-validity emergency passport if you have urgent travel needs.
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On the application, can the permanent address be the same as the mailing address?
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It could be. If you are permanently residing outside the Unites States, then they would be the same. Your U.S. embassy or consulate may or may not offer mailing services.
If you are temporarily residing or traveling outside of the United States, put your current address as your mailing address and your U.S. address as your permanent address.
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Does my ‘Emergency Contact’ have to be somebody in the United States?
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No. Your emergency contact does not have to be somebody in the United States, especially if you live permanently outside the United States.
Please note: Currently, the online Form Filler does not allow you to enter an address outside the United States. If your emergency contact lives outside the United States, please leave this field blank when completing the form online and write it in after printing.
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How will I receive my passport if I am outside the United States?
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Delivery methods vary by embassy and consulate. Possible methods may include a self-paid courier, the mail service, or picking it up in person. Please check with the embassy or consulate to confirm delivery methods.
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Do I have to provide my Social Security number on my passport application?
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Yes. You must provide your Social Security number, if you have been issued one, on your application for a U.S. passport, in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 2714a and 22 C.F.R 51.60(f).
If you or your child does not have a Social Security number, you must submit a statement, signed and dated, that includes the phrase, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I have/(Child's full name) has never been issued a Social Security number by the Social Security Administration.”
Your passport application will be delayed or denied if you do not provide a Social Security number or a statement declaring that a Social Security number has not been issued to you. Contact the Social Security Administration for information about obtaining a new or replacement Social Security number and card.
If you are outside the United States and have an emergency need to travel, but you cannot locate your Social Security number, we may be able to issue you a limited passport for direct return to the United States only.
If you fail to provide the information, you will also be subject to a $500 penalty enforced by the IRS pursuant to Section 6039E of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 6039E). All questions on this matter should be directed to the nearest IRS office.
Forms
DS-5504 Application for a U.S. Passport- Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Replacement