Free Guide to Getting a Texas Passport

What Is a Texas Passport and Who Needs One

A Texas passport is an official identity document issued by the State Department of the United States government. It proves your U.S. citizenship and allows you to travel internationally by air, sea, or land to most countries around the world. The passport contains your photograph, signature, personal information, and a unique passport number that customs and immigration officials use to verify your identity.

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Texas does not issue its own passports—the U.S. State Department handles all passport issuance for all 50 states, including Texas. However, Texas residents can obtain passports through designated passport acceptance facilities located throughout the state. These facilities include post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices. The State Department maintains centralized processing and approval of all passport applications, regardless of where you submit your paperwork.

You may need a U.S. passport in several situations. International travel by air requires a valid passport for entry into virtually all countries outside the United States and its territories. Cruise ship travel to ports outside the Western Hemisphere also requires a passport. Some travelers use passports for domestic travel within the U.S., though a standard driver's license typically suffices for domestic flights. Passport books are also needed if you wish to work abroad, live in another country temporarily, or establish residency outside the United States.

The passport book comes in two formats: the standard passport book and the passport card. The standard book works for all international travel methods. The passport card is smaller and less expensive but only works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. You cannot use a passport card for international air travel. Most people who travel frequently choose the passport book for greater flexibility.

Takeaway: Understanding what a passport is and when you need one helps you decide whether obtaining one makes sense for your travel plans. The State Department's website provides detailed information about both formats so you can choose which document fits your needs.

Documents You Will Need to Gather

Before you visit a passport acceptance facility in Texas, you need to collect several documents that prove your identity, citizenship, and residency. Having these ready in advance makes the process faster and prevents delays. The State Department requires specific documents depending on whether you are obtaining your first passport or renewing an existing one.

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For proof of U.S. citizenship, you will need either an original or certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the vital records office in the state where you were born, a naturalization certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, or a Certificate of Citizenship. A photocopy of your birth certificate will not work—it must be the original or a certified copy with an official seal. If you were born outside the United States to American parents, you will need to provide a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561). Birth certificates typically cost between $15 and $30 to obtain from your state's vital records office, and most states now allow you to order them online.

For proof of identity, you need a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID card, military ID, passport card, or an employee ID from your employer. The document must be current and not expired. If you do not have any of these forms of ID, you may present a combination of documents such as a Social Security card and a utility bill or lease agreement showing your current address.

You will also need to provide proof of your current address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government correspondence showing your Texas address works for this purpose. The document should show your name and current address and be dated within the past year. A driver's license that shows your current address can serve as both your identity and address proof.

If you are obtaining a passport for a minor child, you need additional documents. Both parents or legal guardians must appear in person with their own forms of ID, or one parent must appear with a notarized statement of consent from the other parent. You will also need the original or certified birth certificate of the child and proof of the parent-child relationship.

Takeaway: Creating a checklist of required documents before visiting a passport acceptance facility prevents wasted trips. Contact the facility ahead of time to confirm that your specific documents meet their requirements.

How to Find a Passport Acceptance Facility Near You

Texas has hundreds of passport acceptance facilities spread throughout the state, making it convenient to find a location near your home or workplace. These facilities process passport applications on behalf of the U.S. State Department, though the State Department itself conducts the final review and approval. Knowing where to go and what to expect when you arrive helps you prepare properly.

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The State Department maintains an online passport acceptance facility locator on its official website at travel.state.gov. You can enter your Texas city or ZIP code to find all nearby locations that accept passport applications. The search tool displays the facility's address, phone number, hours of operation, and whether it accepts walk-ins or requires appointments. Some facilities have different hours on different days, so checking before you visit prevents unexpected closures.

Common passport acceptance locations in Texas include U.S. Post Offices, county clerk offices, and public libraries. Post offices are often the most widely available option—nearly every city has at least one post office, and many provide passport services during regular business hours. Some libraries, particularly in larger cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, also serve as passport acceptance facilities. County clerk offices in most Texas counties accept passport applications, and staff there can answer questions about your county's specific procedures.

When you contact a facility by phone, ask specific questions about their current processing times. During peak travel season (typically spring and summer), acceptance facilities may have longer wait times for walk-in appointments. Some facilities can tell you when they typically have shorter waits. If you call ahead, you can often schedule a specific time slot rather than waiting in line, which saves you time.

For expedited service, you can visit a passport acceptance facility but request expedited processing through the State Department. This costs extra money and speeds up the review process at the federal level, though not the local acceptance facility. Some larger cities have dedicated passport agencies rather than acceptance facilities. These agencies can process expedited and rush requests more quickly than standard facilities. The State Department website lists passport agencies in your region.

Takeaway: Using the State Department's facility locator tool and calling ahead to confirm hours and appointment availability ensures a smooth first visit. Write down the facility's address, hours, and phone number so you have the information available when you need it.

Understanding Passport Fees and Processing Times

Passport fees vary depending on the type of passport you are getting and how quickly you need it. Understanding these costs helps you budget appropriately and choose the processing speed that matches your travel timeline. The State Department sets all passport fees, which are the same whether you visit a facility in Texas or any other state.

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As of 2024, a standard passport book for an adult costs $130 for a new passport (first-time applicants) and $110 for a renewal. If you are an adult renewing your passport by mail and it is still in your possession, the fee is $110. A passport card costs $35 for a new card and $30 for a renewal. If you want both a passport book and card at the same time, the combined cost is $165 for a new set or $140 for a renewal. These fees do not include the execution fee charged by the acceptance facility, which typically ranges from $25 to $35 depending on the location.

Children's passports cost less than adult passports. A new passport book for a child under 16 costs $105, with a $25 execution fee at the local facility. Passport cards for children cost $20 plus the execution fee. Passport books for minors are valid for only 5 years instead of 10 years like adult passports, which is why they cost less. If a child's passport is lost or stolen, you pay the full new passport fee plus the execution fee rather than a replacement fee.

Processing times depend on how quickly you need your passport. Standard processing typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from the time the State Department receives your application. This means the actual time from your local facility visit to receiving your passport could be 8 to 10 weeks if there are delays. During peak season (March through August), processing times can extend to 12 weeks or longer.

Expedited processing, which costs an additional $60, reduces the processing time to 2 to 3 weeks.