Are you gearing up to take a vacation abroad? If you have never traveled outside of the United States, or if it has been a while since your last trip, you may not be aware of changes to the passport application process or requirements.
September is Passport Awareness month, when the U.S. Department of State encourages travelers to check their passport’s expiration date and increase their understanding of passport validity requirements. Check your passport expiration dates as soon as you start planning a trip, and remember passports issued to children under age 16 are valid for only five years. Some countries—including most of Europe— require that your passport expiration date is at least six months away. If you need a new passport, apply early to allow for delays.
Glen Ellyn Public Library is an official Passport Acceptance Facility, and can accept DS-11 passport applications for anyone
- applying for their first U.S. passport
- under age 16
- whose previous U.S. passport was: a) issued under age 16; b) issued more than 15 years ago; c) lost, stolen, or damaged
The library also takes passport photos for $15 per photo! Library passport services, including passport photos, are available by appointment only online at gepl.org/passport-appointments or by calling 630-790-6630.
Additional Tips
- To eliminate stress, have your valid passport in hand before you book travel.
- Beware of scam websites offering passport services. You should never pay to print a copy of a passport application. Applications are available on the U.S. Department of State website, or you can pick one up at the library for free.
- You can track the status of your passport application at passportstatus.state.gov.
- Information about current passport processing times, passport fees, emergency passport needs less than two weeks before travel, and passport validity requirements is available on the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
Visit the library’s Passports page to learn more about this service and schedule a DS-11 Passport Appointment .