Passport Services at the Downtown Library

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library offers U.S. Passport Acceptance Service Monday thru Saturday during regular business hours at our Downtown Branch only.

However, due to staffing constraints, please call ahead for evening and Saturday appointments. No appointments will be scheduled 1/2 hour prior to library closing time.
For appointments call: (423) 757-5310.

New Requirements and Fee Amounts, effective February 1, 2008, Just Announced for Passport Applicants

Effective Feburary 1, 2008, the following changes go into effect for anyone applying for a passport.

• Anyone 15 years old or younger must now have both parents appear and sign as identifying the minor.
• Fees paid to the state department have increased to $75 per person 16 years old or older and $60 per child 15 years old or younger.
• Execution fees (those payable to CHCBL) have decreased to $25 per person if pictures are not required and $35 per person if you need photographs.

Revised Passport Processing Times Announced

Passport processing times have recently been revised again. It is currently taking approximately 4-6 weeks to process a regular passport application and 3 weeks to process an expedited passport application. The U.S. Department of State still recommends that you "Apply Early!"

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiatives Dates & Requirements

• As of January 23, 2007, U.S. citizens traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other approved form of documentation.
  
• As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.
  
  However, some providers of travel services may already be requiring their customers to have a current passport. Please check with your travel provider for their requirements at this time.

This means a big increase in the number of passports that will be issued. Details are available on the U.S. Department of State website - http://travel.state.gov/.

NEW PASSPORTS

Adults applying for a new passport or replacement of a lost or stolen passport must provide the following:

• Certified Birth Certificate
• Current proof of identity which may include Driver's License, U.S. Government I.D.card or Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship (Additional information is available on our FAQ page.)
• Two 2" x 2" passport photos which may be made at the library for a fee or brought in.
  Photo must be in color with light background.
• All Passport applicants MUST APPEAR IN PERSON, including minors under age 16. Both parents must be present for anyone 15 years old or younger.

Download passport applications from U.S. State Department (requires Adobe Acrobat reader)

PASSPORT RENEWALS

Citizens wishing to renew a US Passport that is less than 15 years old from the date of issue may pick up the Mail-in Renewal Form at the Library and submit the renewal through the mail. If you were issued the passport prior to age 16 you must apply for a new passport.

FEES FOR PROCESSING

Personal/Bank Check or Money Order payable to: US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

• Adult (16 and over) - $75.00
• Children (15 and under) - $60.00
• Expedited Service (if traveling within 3-4 weeks) - additional $60.00

Cash or personal/bank check payable to: Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library (or CHCBL)

• Application only - $25.00
• Application and passport photos - $35.00

Have questions about the service?

Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page

Need still more information?

For more information or to track your passport application call the National Passport Information Center at their TOLL FREE number: (877) 487-2778 or email NPIC@state.gov. You may also track your application online at https://passportstatus.state.gov/opss.

This page revised January 28, 2007

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