Passport Services
The Chattanooga Public Library offers U.S. Passport Acceptance service by appointment at our Downtown location, Monday through Saturday. For appointments and questions, call (423) 643-7724. Due to high demand, we are booked four weeks from the current date. If you need an appointment sooner than we are able to provide, visit the U.S. Department of State’s search page for nearby passport acceptance facilities..
Please read the following important information before you call.
Servicios de Pasaporte Estadounidense de la Biblioteca
New Passports
This includes:
- First-time passport for adults
- Replacement for lost or stolen passports
- Passports for all minors under 18 regardless of previous passport
Please fill out your application(s) before your appointment to save time and make sure you have all necessary documentation.
The U.S. Passport Application (DS-11 form) may be filled out online and printed from the Department of State website or printed and filled out by hand. Applications may also be obtained at the Downtown Library ahead of time. Use black ink only to complete applications. Do not use white-out. Do NOT sign them until asked to do so by a Passport Acceptance Agent.
All passport applicants must appear in person. Both parents must be present for applicants under 16 years of age. One parent must be present for 16 and 17 year old applicants.
Applicants for a new passport or replacement of a lost or stolen passport must provide the following:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship which is sent in with application but returned to applicant, such as:
- Certified, government-issued birth certificate showing parent(s) name(s) or
- Original Naturalization Certificate or
- Previous passport or
- Certificate of Birth Abroad
Please note: Minors under 16 years of age must submit a certified birth certificate each time they apply for a passport.
- Current proof of identity, such as:
- Valid Tennessee driver license or
- Valid state-issued ID along with secondary ID (work, student, military, previous expired driver license, hand carry permit, etc.) or
- Valid out-of-state driver license along with secondary ID or
- U.S. Government ID card or
- Certificate of Naturalization or
- Military ID
- Valid Passport
Please note: If one parent or legal guardian cannot attend in person to obtain the child’s passport, the DS-3053 form, Statement of Consent for a Child must be completed, dated by the parent and notarized on the same day. The type of passport desired (book, card or both) should be marked, and a copy of both the front and back of the ID which the notary witnessed as identification must accompany the form.
- One 2×2 inch photo which may be made at the library for a fee or brought in. Photos:
- Must be in color with a light background – no shadows
- May not be in profile
- Must include only the head and top of shoulders
- Avoid wearing white as the background is white
- No glasses unless a letter is brought from doctor stating health will be harmed if glasses removed
- Proper Forms of Payment – Two Separate Payments:
- Personal checks (no starter checks), money orders or cashier’s checks for U.S. Department of State payments
- Personal checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, cash or bank cards for processing passport applications and photo fees for Library payment
Passport Renewals
Adults with previous ten year passports wishing to renew should first check the questionnaire on the front of the DS-82 form, U.S. Passport Renewal Application or on the Department of State website.
Minors under 16 years of age or under 16 on their previous passport must use the DS-11 form, Application for a U.S. Passport.
The Downtown library has applications, and addressed priority envelopes for routine and expedited service for your convenience. Agents can take your photo for $10.00 by appointment by calling (423) 643-7724. If you have any questions or concerns, we’ll be happy to assist you. Documents are then mailed in by the applicant.
Fees
Payable to “U.S. Department of State” by personal check (no starter checks), money order or cashier’s check only:
- Adult passport books: $130
- Adult passport cards: $30 (land or boat travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean only)
- Minor (under 16) passport books: $100
- Minor (under 16) passport cards: $15 (land or boat travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean only)
- Expedite fee to receive passport in 3 to 5 weeks: $60 per applicant
Payable to “Chattanooga Public Library” by personal check, money order, cashier’s check, cash or bank card:
- Execution fee per DS-11 passport application: $35
- Passport photos if made here: $10 per person (by appointment by calling (423) 643-7724)
FAQ
- Routine times vary during the year — check travel.state.gov for current delivery times. Return time can range from 6 to 9 weeks depending on how busy the Passport agencies are at the time of submission.
- Expedited service is 3 to 5 weeks.
- Applicants may choose overnight delivery from library to Department of State or both ways for additional fees.
- Contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) if you are traveling within two weeks and have proof of international travel or need a visa within four weeks. If you have already applied and have urgent travel, call NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday (closed on federal holidays).
- A certified copy with official seal (not a photocopy) of a government-issued birth certificate showing parent(s) name(s) usually obtained from Vital Statistics or the Health Department
- No hospital certificates
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Birth Abroad
- Certificate of Citizenship
Please note: California and Texas Abstracts of Birth are not always acceptable.
Individuals born in Tennessee may obtain a certified birth certificate from the Hamilton County Vital Records Office at 921 E. 3rd Street next to Erlanger Hospital. Office hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. For more information call (423) 209-8025.
If there is an error to be corrected contact the office in Nashville at 615-741-1763 or visit Office of Vital Records. Hamilton County records now go back 100 years.
People born in another state should contact the Vital Statistics office in their state of birth. Some states, such as New York, prefer you to apply in the borough of birth.
Any of the following is acceptable proof of identification:
- Valid Tennessee driver license
- Valid out-of-state driver license along with secondary ID such as work ID, school ID or hand carry permit
- Valid state-issued ID along with secondary ID
- Current passport
- Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Government ID
- Military ID
Please note: Learner permits and temporary driver licenses are not acceptable as primary ID.
For any other questions, please call (423) 643-7724 and ask to speak to a Passport Acceptance Agent. We will be glad to help.
