The passport card is a wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border-crossings or ports-of-entry by sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card provides a smaller, more convenient, and less expensive alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or sea. As with the US Passport Book, you may renew your Passport Card by providing the same requirements.
Please note: We are pleased to announce that we are resuming accepting passport applications for expedited processing at speeds that are close to pre-pandemic turnaround times. At this time, we can offer three speeds: Regular Expedited, Rush Processing and Ultra Rush Processing. For example, currently, in as little as a few days (depending on current availability) you can have a new or renewed passport back in your hands. Since we are registered to hand carry your application into the US Department of State, these turn-around times are significantly less than mail-in or on-line methods that are publicly available. If you need to expedite your passport, or simply planning ahead for an upcoming trip, please contact an Ambassador Passport and Visa consultant at 310-828-7878 for the latest availabilities and turnaround times.
Instructions for applying for a U.S. passport card renewal
Print Page
1 - Completed Application Form DS-82
Please read the following important notes before completing the online application:
- Agree with the privacy agreement on the first page, and on the next page select the “Apply Online” option on bottom left hand side of page, click on “Submit” and proceed with the application.
- On the page titled “Passport Products and Fees”, under “Processing Methods” choose the “Expedited at Agency” option, and under “Delivery Methods” select the “Standard” option (Since Ambassador Passport and Visa will hand carry your documents to and from the US Department of State, the mailing option does not apply to hand carry applicants).
- On the last page, titled “Next Steps” on bottom left, check the box next to “I have read and acknowledge the steps…” and below it click on the “Create Form” button at the bottom left, then open and print your application. Sign and date after completing and printing the online application.
- If at any time you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 310-828-7878.
If you are using our expediting service, please note: You must send all documents and requirements to Ambassador Passport and Visa Services so that we can hand carry your application into the Passport Agency immediately. Your passport application will expire and not be considered valid within five days from the date of execution / sealing.
FAILURE TO SEND YOUR DOCUMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS TO THE AMBASSADOR PASSPORT AND VISA SERVICES ADDRESS DIRECTLY MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT DELAYS BEYOND OUR CONTROL.
2 - Two Recent Passport Photographs
Please note: acceptable passport photos are:
• Photographs must be 2 x 2 inches in size, taken within the past 6 months.
• The image size from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head should be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches.
• No glasses
• The photographs must be in color
• They must be full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
• Photographs should be taken without a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
• Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons.
• Home made Digital photographs are not acceptable
3 - Completed And Signed Authorization Letter
Important note: You MUST select the first option (by checking the box on the left), in order for us to be able to process your application request. Not doing so will result in a delay in the processing of your passport application. After selecting the first option, it is also necessary to select one of the next two options.
Click here for the Letter of Authorization – Online Fillable PDF Version.
Please note: If you are using a mobile device, and/or have trouble filling out the form online, please click here for a printable-only version that can be filled out by hand in blue ink.
4- MOST RECENTLY ISSUED PASSPORT CARD OR PASSPORT
Passport or Passport Card was expired less than five years ago and the bearer was over the age of 16 when the current passport was issued.
5- DOCUMENTATION IF YOUR NAME HAS CHANGED
If the name you are currently using differs from the name on your previous Passport or Passport Card, you must submit a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order showing the change of name. The name change document must bear the official seal of the issuing authority. Uncertified copies or notarized documents can not be accepted. All documents will be returned to you with your passport.
6- PROOF OF DEPARTURE FROM USA IS REQUIRED
Please note: Due to the pandemic, at this time it is not required to provide any type of proof of departure or travel until further notice. However, if you have an itinerary, reservation, business letter, or other proof of travel, please provide it.
Copy of cruise itinerary, or hotel reservation, or letter on employer’s stationery confirming international travel is required.
Click here for a sample of the Business Letter for the Passport Office.
7- COMPLETED AMBASSADOR PASSPORT AND VISA SERVICES COVER LETTER
This is the order form. This tells us what services you require, how fast you need them, your contact information, your payment information, and where to ship your documents back to (if applicable).
8- Fees
Fees – There Are a Total of 3 Fees: Government Fees, Our Fees, & Shipping Fees
Please note, unless otherwise confirmed by an Ambassador Passport and Visa Agent, processing for a U.S. Passport begins the FIRST BUSINESS DAY AFTER all the documents and requirements are received by Ambassador Passport and Visa Services.
(1) Government Fee: These Government Fees are paid at the time of execution, as per the instructions above.
| Passport Card For Applicants Currently Holding A Valid Passport | $90.00 |
| Passport Card Renewal | $90.00 |
| Additional Government Fee | $19.53 |
(2) Ambassador Passport and Visa Services Fees:
Please note: We are pleased to announce that we are resuming accepting passport applications for expedited processing at speeds that are close to pre-pandemic turnaround times. At this time, we can offer three speeds: Regular Expedited, Rush Processing and Ultra Rush Processing. For example, currently, in as little as a few days (depending on current availability) you can have a new or renewed passport back in your hands. Since we are registered to hand carry your application into the US Department of State, these turn-around times are significantly less than mail-in or on-line methods that are publicly available. If you need to expedite your passport, or simply planning ahead for an upcoming trip, please contact an Ambassador Passport and Visa consultant at 310-828-7878 for the latest availabilities and turnaround times.
(3) Federal Express Fees (Continental USA Only)
| FedEx 2nd Business Day | $45.00 |
| FedEx Letter (Priority Overnight) | $48.00 |
| FedEx Letter (First Overnight) | $130.00 |
| FedEx Letter (Saturday Delivery) | $78.00 |
| Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, USVI – FedEx Priority Overnight Letter (No Saturday Delivery) |
$88.00 |
9 - Mailing Instructions
Please Forward All The Above Documents and Requirements To:
Ambassador Passport and Visa Services, Inc.
2811 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 720
Santa Monica, California, 90403
(310) 828-7878
For 24 Hour Passport Services ONLY: Be sure to call us so we can determine which address you should ship to, our Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Colorado, or our Seattle Office. Also, 24 hour processing begins once we have received all of your documents as specified on this page, to the correct office location.
