Letter From Passport Office

If you received a letter or email from the government regarding your passport application, then it means they need more information from you in order to process your application. They give you 90 days to send the requested information.

Once you have the information they need, you will then need to send your response to the mailing address listed in the letter or email, including the last four digits of the zip code. If you do not see the answer to your question on this site, then they recommend you call the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778 or 888-874-7793 (TDD/TTY). Below are some commons reasons for the government to contact you regarding passports.

• Your photo isn't acceptable

  One of the most common issues with passport applications is the photo. Please view the passport photo requirements before taking a new photo.

• Documents sent doesn't show you are parent or guardian of child

  The documents you submitted for the passport application for your child does not show that you are the parent or legal guardian. To show parental relationship, submit one of the following:

  • US birth certificate
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Foreign birth certificate
  • Adoption decree
  • Divorce/Custody decree

  You alsomay have received this letter if your name had changed since the child was born. In that instance you need to send evidence of your name change. Examples include:

  • Court-ordered name change
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree

• Something wrong with the birth certificate submitted

  There was something wrong with the US birth certificate you submitted. You must submit both the original or certified birth certificate and a photocopy. To be acceptable, your US birth certificate must meet the following requirements:

  • Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
  • Lists applicant's full name, date of birth, and place of birth
  • Lists parent(s) full names
  • Has the signature of the city, county, or state registrar
  • Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
  • Has the seal of issuing authority

  If the birth certificate you sent does not meet one of the requirements above, then you need to contact the vital records office of the state or territory in which you were born to order a new US birth certificate. If there is no birth certificate on file in the state or territory in which you were born, you must submit a Letter of No Record and a combination of early public records. For more information please review the passport citizenship evidence page.

• Something wrong with passport renewal Form DS-82

  There could be different reasons why they mailed you a letter requesting additional information for your passport renewal application. Some of those reasons are listed below:

  • No photo was attached to the application
  • The application was not completed or signed
  • Your most recent passport was not submitted with the application
  • The correct fee was not included with the application
  • The name change document you submitted was not acceptable

  Follow the instructions in the letter and return the requested documentation or application to the address on the letter. For more information view the passport renewal process page. Please note, you may also have received a letter from them to let you know that you are not eligible to mail in your application.

• ID submitted wasn't sufficient

  When applying in person you were required to show the acceptance agency your ID, for example your driver's license. If you received a letter or email requesting additional IDs, it is recommended that you send back as many forms of IDs as you have available.

  They prefer you send IDs issued over 5 years ago. You are allowed to send photocopies of the IDs, front and back. To see a full list of IDs they will accept for your application, please view the passport identification page.

• Both parents/guardians did not appear in person

  They will send a letter if both parents or guardians did not appear in person for your child's passport application. If only one (or neither) parent or guardian applied in person for the child's passport, they may have a question about parental consent.

  If	Submit
  You are the only parent or have sole legal custody	One of the following documents: A complete court order granting you sole legal custody of the child, such as a divorce decree or other custody order (photocopy is acceptable) A complete court order specifically permitting you to apply for your child's passport (photocopy is acceptable) A certified copy of the child's birth certificate listing you as the only parent A certified copy of an adoption decree listing you as the only parent A complete copy of a judicial declaration of incompetence of the parent that cannot appear in person (photocopy of the complete declaration is acceptable) A certified copy of death certificate of other parent
  One parent did not show up to apply for child's passport, but both of you have custody	Form DS-3053, filled out by the parent who did not come in person to apply for the child's passport. That parent must then: Sign and date Form DS-3053 in the presence of a certified notary public Submit a photocopy of the front and back of the ID that they presented to the notary public
  You cannot locate the other parent (but both of you have custody)	Form DS-5525 filled out by you. They need you to complete this form with as much details as possible. Please note, they may ask for additional information (e.g., custody order, incarceration order, restraining order) to protect against international parental child abduction.
  A third party, for example the grandmother, applied in person for the child's passport	A notarized statement from both parents/guardians giving the third party permission to apply for the child. The statement must include a photocopy of both parents/guardians identifications (front and back). If the statement submitted is from just one of the parent or guardian, you then must also show proof that the parent or guardian has sole custody of the child applying for a passport.
  Please note, you are required to submit Form DS-3053 or other notarized statements within three months of it being signed.

• You changed names, but the document was still insufficient

  If	Submit
  Your name has been legally changed	A certified copy of the court order or marriage certificate.
  Your name has not been legally changed	At least three original or certified public records that shows the use of this name for at least 5 years. These must include your date and place of birth or your Social Security number Notarized affidavits completed by two people who have known you by both names may be substituted in place of one public record

• US citizen when parents naturalized, but documents not sufficient

  If you were born outside the United States and acquired US citizenship through the naturalization of your parent(s), you must submit the following:

  • Your foreign birth certificate that lists your parents
  • Your parents naturalization certificate(s)
  • Evidence of your permanent residence status. Some examples include a permanent resident card or green card and a fforeign passport with the original I-551 visa entry stamp
  • Your parents marriage certificate (if your parents were married when you legally entered the US and before your 18th birthday)
  • Documentation of legal custody (if your parents were not married when you legally entered the US)
  • Evidence of your legitimation (if your parents were not married at the time of your birth). Some examples include your parents marriage certificate dated after your birth and a certified court order of legitimation

• There was an issue with a previously issued passport

  If	Submit
  Your name has been legally changed	Your previously-issued passport book or card.
  Your previous passport book or card was lost or stolen	Form DS-64 to report your passport lost or stolen.
  You used Form DS-64 to report your passport lost or stolen, but forgot to sign it	A new, signed Form DS-64 to report your passport lost or stolen.
  You submitted a limited validity passport	Evidence of US citizenship. Examples include: Your original or certified birth certificate A previous full validity US passport Your Certificate of Naturalization Your Certificate of Citizenship Your Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  Your passport is damaged or mutilated	A signed statement explaining the damage or mutilation of your passport. The damaged/mutilated passport will be retained and destroyed.
  Your passport is damaged or mutilated and cannot be used as evidence of US citizenship	A signed statement explaining the damage or mutilation of your passport, as well as evidence of US citizenship. Some examples are: Your original or certified birth certificate A previous full validity US passport Your Certificate of Naturalization Your Certificate of Citizenship Your Consular Report of Birth Abroad They will keep the damaged or mutilated passport and destroy it.