Passports are obtained through the Passport Services Division of the U.S. Department of State. Through your local passport acceptance agent, usually the Post Office, you can apply for a new passport, renew your old one, replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport, or update your existing one.

Traveling Overseas

You've got your passport and you're ready to go on your trip, right?  Not quite.  You still have to check with the country or countries you'll be visiting to determine whether or not you'll need a visa. A visa is permission from a country to cross their borders, and it comes in the form of a stamp in your U.S. Passport.  You usually have to mail your passport to the Embassy or Consulate of the country you'll be visiting, so allow plenty of time to let the process play out.  

Also, check the State Department website for travel warning and consular information sheets that provide very helpful information about the country you plan on visiting.  The State Department services website also contains comprehensive information  crisis assistance for U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad and various other travel information.

American Embassies and Consulates General

Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for links to U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide.

Passports in a hurry

Securing a passport usually take from 30 to 40 days. For a $60.00 fee--plus the cost of 2-way overnight mail--you can "expedite" this process and receive your passport in 7 to 10 days.  If international departure is in less than 2 weeks, application is advised at:

Miami Passport Agency
Claude Pepper Federal Building
51 S.W. First Avenue, 3rd Floor
Miami, FL 33130

To apply at the Miami Passport Agency, you must schedule an appointment by calling toll-free at 1-877-487-2778, 24 hours/day.