What is this service?
Ge Chanfon Services provides administrative assistance with preparing U.S. passport applications.
We help you identify the right form, review the document requirements, and organize the information you need.
Issuing, accepting, and approving passports is solely the responsibility of the U.S. Department of State and its authorized offices.
Who is this service for?
- U.S. citizens applying for their first passport or who need to renew it.
- Parents or guardians applying for a child's passport.
- People whose passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, or has information that needs to be corrected.
Which application do you need?
Choose the option closest to your situation to see a short explanation, the general requirements, and the costs. The final form depends on your eligibility: we confirm it with you before preparing it.
Tap an option to see its explanation, requirements, and costs.
First adult passport
You use Form DS‑11 and apply in person at an authorized acceptance facility. You will generally need:
- A completed Form DS‑11, unsigned.
- Original or certified evidence of U.S. citizenship, with the seal of the issuing office, and a photocopy.
- A valid photo ID and a photocopy.
- One passport photo.
- The applicable fees, in two separate payments.
- To appear in person at the acceptance facility.
Important: Do not sign Form DS‑11 until the authorized agent tells you to.
People who do not qualify to renew also use Form DS‑11 (for example, if your previous passport was issued when you were under 16, more than 15 years ago, or if it is damaged, lost, or stolen).
Government fees
- Book: $130 + $35 acceptance fee.
- Card: $30 + $35 acceptance fee.
- Book and card: $160 + $35 acceptance fee.
Adult passport renewal
Eligibility depends on your age, the issue date and validity of your previous passport, its physical condition, any change to your name or other information, and whether you have it with you.
By mail — Form DS‑82
You can renew by mail if your most recent passport:
- Can be submitted with your application.
- Is undamaged (other than normal wear) and was never reported lost or stolen.
- Was issued within the last 15 years, when you were 16 or older.
- Is in your current name, or you can submit your name change document.
- Was not issued with limited validity because of multiple lost or damaged passports.
Your previous passport is returned to you, usually in a separate mailing.
Online — the Department of State's official site
Only if you meet all of these requirements: you are 25 or older; your passport was valid for 10 years and expires within 1 year or expired less than 5 years ago; you are not changing your name or other personal information; you are not traveling for at least 6 weeks; you are in a U.S. state or territory; and you have your passport, undamaged and not reported lost or stolen.
Important: You must complete, sign, and submit your online renewal yourself. No one else can do it for you, and Ge Chanfon Services does not submit online renewals on behalf of clients. Online renewals cannot be expedited, and the passport you are renewing is canceled when you submit the application.
Government fees (no acceptance fee)
- Book: $130.
- Card: $30.
- Book and card: $160.
Passport for children under 16
- You use Form DS‑11, unsigned until the agent tells you to sign.
- The child must appear in person.
- The consent of both parents or legal guardians, who appear with the child, is generally required.
- If one parent cannot appear, they can sign Form DS‑3053 (statement of consent) before a notary; it must be submitted within 3 months of signing.
- If one parent has sole legal custody, you submit the document that proves it.
- If the other parent cannot be located, there is Form DS‑5525 (statement of special family circumstances).
- If neither parent can appear, a notarized statement from both authorizing another person is needed.
One parent's signature is not enough in every case: it depends on the family situation.
You also need: the child's evidence of citizenship (original or certified copy plus a photocopy), a document showing the relationship to the parents, the parents' photo IDs and photocopies, and one photo of the child. A passport for a child under 16 is valid for 5 years.
Government fees
- Book: $100 + $35 acceptance fee.
- Card: $15 + $35 acceptance fee.
- Book and card: $115 + $35 acceptance fee.
Passport for teens 16 and 17
- Most 16- and 17-year-olds apply in person with Form DS‑11.
- They must present their own photo ID. If they do not have one, the Department of State lists other identification options on its official site.
- You must show that at least one parent or guardian is aware of the application, for example: the parent comes with the teen and signs Form DS‑11; the parent signs a note; the parent pays the fees; or a notarized statement (such as Form DS‑3053). In every case, with a photocopy of the parent's ID.
The consent rules for children under 16 do not automatically apply. The passport is valid for 10 years.
Government fees (adult fees)
- Book: $130 + $35 acceptance fee.
- Card: $30 + $35 acceptance fee.
- Book and card: $160 + $35 acceptance fee.
Lost, stolen, or damaged passport
Valid passport lost or stolen
You report it with Form DS‑64. Once reported, the passport is canceled and cannot be used for travel, even if you find it later.
Important: Form DS‑64 by itself does not apply for a new passport. To replace it, you apply in person with Form DS‑11, together with Form DS‑64.
Damaged passport
If the damage is significant (beyond normal wear), you must apply for a new passport in person with Form DS‑11.
Expired passport you still have
If you meet the requirements, you can renew it by mail (Form DS‑82) or online. If not, you use Form DS‑11.
Government fees
Those of Form DS‑11 or Form DS‑82, depending on the case (see the fee table).
Correction or change of information
Form DS‑5504 can be used in certain cases:
- A name change by marriage or court order, if the passport was issued less than one year ago.
- A printing or data error in the passport.
- Replacing a limited-validity passport book, in certain cases.
In those cases there is no application fee, unless you request expedited service or fast delivery. If you do not meet those requirements (for example, the passport is more than one year old or the name change document is not official), you use Form DS‑82 or Form DS‑11 and pay the regular fees.
Important: Not every correction is free.
Urgent or expedited passport
Expedited service
It costs $60 extra and is requested when you apply (Form DS‑11 in person, or Form DS‑82 by mail). According to the Department of State (checked on November 4, 2026), it takes 2 to 3 weeks, not including mailing time. Online renewals cannot be expedited.
International travel within 14 days
You can request an appointment at a passport agency or center, which must be within 14 calendar days of your trip. The Department of State does not guarantee that appointments will be available.
Life-or-death emergency
For travel abroad in the next 14 days because an immediate family member outside the U.S. has died, is in hospice care, or has a life-threatening illness or injury. You request it by calling the Department of State at 1-877-487-2778.
Private expediting companies are not part of the Department of State and may charge additional fees.
What does our service include?
- Administrative identification of the right procedure.
- Preparing forms, when allowed.
- A personalized list of documents.
- Administrative review of the information you provide.
- Organizing documents and copies.
- Information about fees and how to submit.
- Guidance on where to find official acceptance facilities.
We do not promise available appointments, passport approval, or delivery dates. We do not submit online renewals on behalf of clients.
Main documents
- Evidence of U.S. citizenship: original or certified copy (for example, a U.S. birth certificate or naturalization certificate).
- A photo ID and a photocopy of it.
- Your previous passport, if you have one.
- One recent passport photo.
- Legal name change document, if your name changed.
- For children: a document showing the relationship to the parents and any required consent documents.
Please do not send documents or passport numbers through the form on this page. After you hire us, we will email you the questionnaire and the complete list of documents for your case.
Costs
Our fees
Government filing fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult book, first time (DS-11) | $130 + $35 acceptance fee |
| Adult card, first time (DS-11) | $30 + $35 acceptance fee |
| Adult book and card, first time (DS-11) | $160 + $35 acceptance fee |
| Adult book renewal (DS-82) | $130 |
| Adult card renewal (DS-82) | $30 |
| Adult book and card renewal (DS-82) | $160 |
| Book for a child under 16 (DS-11) | $100 + $35 acceptance fee |
| Card for a child under 16 (DS-11) | $15 + $35 acceptance fee |
| Book and card for a child under 16 (DS-11) | $115 + $35 acceptance fee |
| Expedited service (optional) | $60 extra |
| 1–3 day delivery of the issued book (optional) | $26.87 |
Fees from the official U.S. Department of State fee chart (last updated: October 2026), verified on November 4, 2026. With Form DS‑11 you make two separate payments: the application fee to the Department of State and the acceptance fee ($35) to the facility that takes your application. Renewals by mail with Form DS‑82 and online renewals do not pay the acceptance fee. The passport card is not valid for international air travel: it can only be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
See the official passport fee chart (October 2026) (opens in a new tab)
Government fees are paid separately and are not included in our fees.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a passport book and a passport card?
The book is valid for all international travel, including by air. The card can only be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean; it is not valid for international air travel.
Can I renew by mail?
Yes, with Form DS‑82, if your most recent passport was issued within the last 15 years when you were 16 or older, is undamaged, was not reported lost or stolen, is in your current name (or you have the name change document), and you can send it with your application.
Can I renew online?
Some people can: you must be 25 or older, have a 10-year passport that expires within 1 year or expired less than 5 years ago, have no name or information changes, have no travel in the next 6 weeks, and be in the U.S., among other requirements. It is done only on the official site (opr.travel.state.gov), and you must complete, sign, and submit it yourself.
Do children have to appear in person?
Yes. Children under 16 must appear in person with Form DS‑11, and most teens aged 16 and 17 also apply in person.
Do both parents need to attend?
For children under 16, generally yes. If one cannot attend, there are alternatives such as a notarized Form DS‑3053, proof of sole custody, or Form DS‑5525. For teens aged 16 and 17, it is enough to show that one parent is aware of the application.
What should I do if I lost my passport?
Report it with Form DS‑64; from that moment it is canceled. To get a new one, apply in person with Form DS‑11 together with Form DS‑64. If you are traveling soon, check the urgent travel options.
How much does a passport cost?
It depends on the application and age: see the government fee table on this page. With Form DS‑11 there are two payments (application and acceptance). Our fees are paid separately.
How long does processing take?
Times change, and the Department of State publishes them on its processing times page. Expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks according to the Department of State (checked on November 4, 2026), not including mailing time. We do not guarantee processing times or delivery dates.
Can I get a passport urgently?
You can request expedited service ($60). If you travel in the next 14 days, you can request an appointment at a passport agency or center, with no guarantee of availability. Life-or-death emergencies have their own procedure. See the “Urgent or expedited passport” option.
How to get started
- Fill out the request form.
- Receive the requirements, our fees, the contract, and the questionnaire by email.
- Review and sign the contract before making a payment.
- Provide the documents needed for the preparation.
- Submit your application through the corresponding official procedure.
Official sources
Ge Chanfon Services LLC provides administrative assistance and document preparation. We are not an official passport acceptance facility or a U.S. government agency. We do not issue passports or guarantee their approval. Applications must be submitted according to U.S. Department of State procedures.