Quick Guide to Passports

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen.
• All applicants MUST appear in person.
• Both parents must appear for minors age 15 and under. If one parent is unable to appear, a notarized letter of consent (DS-3053) or other legal documents must be presented at the time of applying.
• Applicants age 16 and over must personally sign their passport application.

Proof of Citizenship

Please submit documents to show proof of citizenship and proof of identity, in addition to the required application form (see below for details):

• A certified birth certificate from the county or state in which you were born. The birth certificate must have a raised, embossed or multi colored seal and list both parents. Hospital certificates are not acceptable. (For more information visit the CDC website)
• A naturalization certificate or Report of Birth Abroad document (for more information visit the Department of State).
• A full validity U.S. passport book or card (can be expired).
• A photocopy of the original or certified document must also be provided. If there is writing on both sides of the citizenship evidence, then copies must be made of the front and back of the document. Copies can be made at UNCW Passport Services for $0.25 per copy + tax. See UNCW passport fees for more information.)

Proof of Identity

• A state or federally issued picture ID such as driver's license, ID card or military ID.
• A state issued ID generally requires a second form of photo ID.
• Parental ID is required for children under the age of 16.
  A photocopy of both sides of the identification must be provided. Copies can be made at UNCW Passport Services for $0.25 per copy + tax.

DS-11 Form Options (Application for a U.S. Passport)

•  DS-11 form is found here on the U.S. Department of State website
  • PDF - select PDF by DS-11 form - Print the form on one-sided pages and complete by hand with black ink. DO NOT SIGN the application until you are requested to do so by the authorized agent at UNCW Passport Services. Bring unsigned form to UNCW Passport Services.
  • Fillable Online - select Form Filler by DS-11 form - Enter the information online, then print the completed form using black ink on one-sided pages. DO NOT SIGN the application until you are requested to do so by the authorized agent at UNCW Passport Services. Bring unsigned form to UNCW Passport Services.
• Forms are also available at UNCW Passport Services.

The passport applicant is required to submit, along with the passport application, two identical photographs which are sufficiently recent to be a good likeness of and satisfactorily identify the applicant. Eyeglasses can no longer be worn in passport photos.

Photographs must meet the following requirements:

• Measure 2 x 2 inches. Head size in the photo must meet the following measurements: from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair) must be a minimum of 1 inch and a maximum 1-3/8 inches. View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement details.
• Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
• Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
• Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
• Taken with a neutral facial expression (preferred) or a natural smile, and with both eyes open
• Be in color and printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper

For your convenience, we offer passport photo services in our office for $12 + taxes. The photos meet the requirements for US Passports (see bulleted list of requirements below). The service provides two US Passport sized photos.

International Photo Services

We offer international photos for $17 + taxes, for the following:

• Australia
• Canada
• China
• Columbia
• European Union
• Japan
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Russia
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• Venezuela

Study Abroad Photos & Testing Photos

We can also take your photos for your study abroad adventures and photos required for certain tests (e.g., NCLEX, Praxis, etc.).

UNCW Passport Services does not process passport renewal applications. Applicants now submit renewal applications on their own, however the UNCW Passport Office will gladly review renewal applications and take renewal photos if needed.

For more information concerning passport renewals, please visit the State Department website. (Please note: minor's passports are not renewable.)

• Expedited Service | $60 Per Application (in addition to the fees above) Payable ONLY by check or money order to U.S. Department of State
• Overnight Delivery | $19.53 (Expedite fee does not include overnight delivery)

Travel in Less than 2 Weeks

If international departure is in less than 2 weeks or passport is needed for foreign visas, application at a Regional Passport Agency may be advised. An appointment is required. 

Note that, in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, this option is currently limited to life-or-death emergencies 

Contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) toll free at 877.487.2778 (TDD: 888.874.7793) or by email at NPIC@state.gov.

Passport applicants are required to submit a photocopy of the front and back of their identification.

All customers applying for a passport using a DS-11 form must also submit a clear photocopy of their proof of citizenship in addition to their original or certified copy. If there is writing on both sides, then a copy of the front and back must be provided. 

Photocopies:

• Must be legible
• Must be on white 8.5x11-inch standard paper
• Must be copied using black ink
• Cannot be double-sided

For your convenience, UNCW Passport Services can make all of the necessary copies for you.

Photocopy Fee (not included with passport execution or processing fee)

• $0.25 + sales tax per copy