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The following Frequently Asked Questions are answered in the links below. Emails regarding these questions will not be answered.
How do I renew my passport?
How do I renew my child’s passport?
How long does the renewal process take?
Passport Fees
ANNOUNCEMENT: The U.S. Embassy Warsaw and Consulate General Krakow now accept online fee payments for adult U.S. passport renewal applications. Paying online allows you to mail your application to the U.S. Embassy without the need to apply in person. Please see the Renew a Passport link below to determine if you are eligible for online fee payment.
Important Reminders
- Passport applicants are required to complete the appropriate passport form online and bring the typed, printed, and completed application to your appointment. Read the information below to determine which application form and documents are required. Links to forms are included. Failure to have all documents (including a proper photo) on-hand and completed will result in the cancellation of your appointment.
- Dual National U.S. Citizens: By law, all U.S. citizens, including dual-national citizens, must enter the United States using their U.S. passport.
- Except for emergency situations, as determined by the Embassy, Consulate, and Consular Agency, applications for U.S. passports are accepted by appointment only.
- U.S. citizens should apply early for renewal of expiring passports.
- You must provide a Social Security Number on your application, if you have one. Check your SSN before arriving at the Embassy. We cannot provide you with your SSN. If you do not know your SSN, you can contact the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU).
What Service Do You Require?
Renew a Passport
ANNOUNCEMENT: The U.S. Embassy Warsaw and Consulate General Krakow are now accepting online fee payments for adult U.S. passport renewal applications. Paying online allows you to mail your application to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate without the need to apply in person. Qualifying adult passport renewal applicants may pay the $130 passport renewal fee online via U.S. or international credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer from a U.S.-based bank account, Amazon Pay, or Pay Pal. Please see the information below to determine if you are eligible for online fee payment. For more information please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Limitations:
- Adult passport book renewals only (applicants applying for a card must make an appointment to apply in person)
- Only for U.S. citizens residing in Poland.
Eligibility Requirements for U.S. Citizen Adult Passport Renewals
Online Fee Payment Wizard to determine eligibility.
If you do not meet the criteria, please see “Apply for a Passport” for how to make an appointment to submit a passport application in person at the embassy/consulate.
Instructions for DS-82 Processing by Mail and Online Fee Payment – for U.S. citizens residing in Poland and Ukraine
Step 1: Complete, print, and SIGN the DS-82 Passport Renewal Form. *NOTE: You must provide a social security number if you have been issued one. If you do not have a social security number, please click here.
Step 2: Obtain one WHITE background color passport photo 2” x 2” (5 cm x 5 cm) taken within the past six months; no eyeglasses. See more information on photo requirements.
Step 3: Include one photocopy (color or black and white) of the data page of your previous U.S. passport.
Step 4: Include the passport you are renewing in the package you mail to the Embassy or Consulate.
Step 5: Name change documents (if applicable) (original + 1 photocopy)
If you would like to change the name on your new passport due to marriage, divorce, or court order, please include proof of your name change. Documents must be original with English translation, unless the document is in Polish (ex. Marriage certificate, Divorce Decree, Court Order)
Step 6: Pay the $130 passport application fee via the U.S. government’s secure payment site. After successfully paying the fee, you must print out the electronic payment confirmation you receive via email and include it in the package you send to the Embassy or Consulate. Make sure that the confirmation includes Pay.gov Tracking ID.
Step 7: Obtain a Pocztex courier delivery form at the Polish post office (sample form attached) and complete the addressee field with your name, the complete address to which you want your new passport sent within Poland and your (preferably) mobile telephone number.
IMPORTANT: Include a return address on the envelope in which you are mailing us the required documents and on the Pocztex form! [All envelopes without a return address will be rejected].
When the new passport is ready, it will be delivered to your address by Pocztex courier. You will have to pay the delivery fee to the courier in cash (the fee is approximately 30 Polish zloty) upon delivery of passport.
Step 8: Mail all the items listed above to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland or the U.S. Consulate in Krakow at the below address. Please note that if there are any issues with your passport renewal requiring a personal appearance, you would have to appear at the location to which you mailed your application. You are strongly encouraged to send your DS-82 passport renewal package via registered mail/courier.
U.S. Embassy Warsaw
Attn: Consular – American Citizen Services
ul. Piękna 12, 00-539 Warszawa
Konsulat Amerykański
Skrytka pocztowa 290
ul. Wielopole 2
31-045 Kraków 1
Step 9: Your new passport will be delivered using Pocztex courier service. Passport processing takes approximately 2-3 weeks.
Apply for a Passport
Adult’s Passport – First Time (for U.S. Citizens aged 16 and older)
Please follow the steps below if:
- You are applying for your first U.S. passport or
- Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under the age of 16 or
- Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen or damaged or
- Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago or
- Your previous passport was a restricted passport (but not an emergency, temporary passport) with an endorsement in the back stating that a full validity passport must be approved by the Department of State.
Please also note:
- Special Requirements for All Minors Under the Age of 16
- Special Requirements for All Minors Ages 16 & 17
Step 1 – Complete form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport
Applicants aged 16 and over must sign their own application before the consular officer at the time of the application. Please ignore pages one and two of the printed instruction pages, as they do not apply when applying for your passport in Poland. Form DS-11 must be printed on separate sheets of paper; do NOT print this form on front and back of the same sheet.
Step 2 – Present evidence of U.S. Citizenship
Submit your U.S. passport issued when you were under 16 (if applicable) and at least one of the following documents:
- a U.S. Birth Certificate;
- a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad;
- a U.S. Certificate of Citizenship;
- a U.S. Naturalization Certificate.
If you are unable to present any of the documents listed above, please call the U.S. Citizen Services at +22 504 2784.
Step 3 – Submit proof of identity
Acceptable identification includes:
- a valid passport of any country;
- a valid driver’s license with photograph;
- a national identity card with photograph;
- a valid U.S. or State government ID card; or
- a U.S. military ID card.
Step 4 – Pay the applicable fee
Effective 12/27/2021 the fee is 165 USD for first time adult’s passport or replacement for a lost/stolen passport. Please review the information on acceptable methods of payment. Payment is made on the day of the appointment.
The fee is a non-refundable processing fee and is retained by the Department of State whether or not the passport is issued.
Step 5 – Passport Photographs
Applicants must provide one passport photograph at the time of application. Your application will be delayed if the photo does not meet the requirements.
Step 6 – Schedule an appointment and submit the application
Set up an appointment online and read about security screening.
Amend a Passport
If you need to change or correct your U.S. passport because your name has changed or your passport was issued to you with an error, please read the information on how to request a new or replacement U.S. passport. You need to set up an appointment online and read about security screening before coming to the Embassy in Warsaw or Consulate General in Krakow to apply for a passport.
Lost or Stolen Passport
Replacement for a Lost/Stolen Passport
Please follow the below SEVEN STEPS if:
- Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen or damaged
Please also note:
- Special Requirements for All Minors Under the Age of 16
- Special Requirements for All Minors Ages 16 & 17
Step 1 – Complete form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport
Applicants aged 16 and over must sign their own application before the consular officer at the time of the application. Please ignore pages one and two of the printed instruction pages, as they do not apply when applying for your passport in Poland. Form DS-11 must be printed on separate sheets of paper; do NOT print this form on front and back of the same sheet.
Complete also form DS-64 in case your previous passport was lost/stolen or damaged/mutilated.
Step 2 – Present evidence of U.S. Citizenship
You should be prepared to submit your U.S. passport issued when you were under 16 (if applicable) and at least one of the following original documents:
- a U.S. Birth Certificate;
- a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad;
- a U.S. Certificate of Citizenship;
- a U.S. Naturalization Certificate.
If you are unable to present any of the documents listed above, please call the U.S. Citizen Services at +48 22 504 2784.
Step 3 – Submit proof of identity
Acceptable identification includes:
- a valid passport of any country;
- a valid driver’s license with photograph;
- a national identity card with photograph;
- a valid U.S. or State government ID card; or
- a U.S. military ID card.
Step 4 – Additional Documents
- Police report regarding passport theft in case you’re applying for a replacement for a stolen passport.
Step 5 – Passport Photographs
Applicants must provide one passport photograph at the time of application. Your application will be delayed if the photo does not meet the requirements.
Step 6 – Pay the applicable fee
Effective 12/27/2021 the fee is 165 USD for first time adult’s passport or replacement for a lost/stolen passport. Please review the information on acceptable methods of payment. Payment is made on the day of the appointment.
The fee is a non-refundable processing fee and is retained by the Department of State whether the passport is issued or not.
Step 7 – Schedule an appointment and submit the application
Set up an appointment online and read about security screening.
Minor Applicants
Child’s Passport (for U.S. Citizens from birth to age 16)
Please review the following steps before beginning your application. Please note: minor applicants under age 16 must apply in person.
Step 1 – Complete form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport
Complete form DS-11 (PDF 101Kb). Please ignore pages one and two of the printed instruction pages, as they do not apply when applying for your passport in Poland. Form DS-11 must be printed on separate sheets of paper; do NOT print this form on front and back of the same sheet.
Note: If you are applying for the first passport for a child under the age of 18 who was born overseas and the birth has not been registered with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, you must report the child’s birth before applying for the passport. You may apply for the child’s passport at the same time you report the birth.
Step 2 – Schedule an appointment online
Set up an appointment online and read about security screening.
Step 3 – Present the following documents
- Most recent U.S. passport of the child (if applicable),
- The child’s original birth certificate and Consular Report of Birth Abroad of the child, if they have one
- Adoption Decree (with adopting parents names) as well as amended State birth certificate listing adoptive parents names;
- Court Order establishing custody; or
- Court Order establishing guardianship.
- Valid U.S. or foreign passport/driver’s license/state ID/ national ID of the parents,
- If either parent’s name is different from the name listed on the child’s birth certificate, name change documentation must be furnished (e.g. marriage certificate, court order).
Photo age progression – Passport renewals for children whose most recent passport was issued under the age of 5 should present additional photo IDs of the child (Polish passport, Polish national ID, school ID) issued from the age in the previous passport to the present age.
Step 4 – Pay the applicable fee
Effective 12/27/2021 the application fee for an applicant under the age of 16 is 135 USD. Please review the information on acceptable methods of payment. Payment is made on the day of the appointment.
The fee is a non-refundable processing fee and is retained by the Department of State whether or not the passport is issued.
Step 5 – Passport Photographs
Applicants must provide one passport photograph at the time of application. Your application will be delayed if the photo does not meet the requirements.
Application By One Parent
If only one parent is able to appear, the following will be required in addition to forms and documents listed for the passport application:
- Form DS-3053 if you are the non-applying parent or guardian providing written consent for your minor child to apply for a U.S. passport because you are unable to appear in person with your child (Statement of Consent). The Statement must be notarized before a U.S. Notary Public or a Polish notary. American Embassies and Consulates abroad can also notarize Form DS-3053 free of charge.
One of the following documents will also be required:
- Copy of a valid U.S. or foreign passport/driver’s license/state ID/ national ID of the absent parent;
- Copy of a valid military id;
- Copy of a valid U.S. government id;
- Copy of Alien Resident Card from USCIS (green card).
Otherwise, if the notarized consent of the absent parent is not available, you will be required to furnish evidence of the appearing parent’s sole authority to apply for the passport in the form of one of the following:
- Child’s birth certificate listing only applicant parent;
- Adoption decree (if applying parent is sole adopting parent);
- Court Order granting sole custody to the applying parent (i.e the absent parent has no access to the child. Child’s travel must not be restricted by that order;
- Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; or
- Death certificate of non-applying parent.
- Form DS-5525 if you are the applying parent or guardian, and the written consent of the non-applying parent or guardian cannot be obtained (Statement of Exigent Special Family Circumstances).
For more information regarding the passport application for a child you may wish to contact the American Citizen Services Section.
Second Passport
Current regulations reflect the long-standing policy of the Department of State that no person should be in possession of more than one valid, or potentially valid, U.S. passport at any time unless specifically authorized by the Department of State.
The issuance of a second valid passport should be considered an exception to the regulations, and is to be approved on an individual basis only where justified. The second valid passport may not be limited geographically, i.e. for travel in only a few countries. It will, however, be limited in time, valid for a period of two years. Thereafter, a new second valid passport must be applied for; second valid passports are not extendable.
Please review the following FIVE STEPS before beginning your application.
Step 1 – Complete passport application form
Complete passport application form DS-82 or DS-11, as appropriate.
Step 2 – Supporting documents
- First-time applicant for a second valid passport: Copy of bearer’s current normal validity U.S. passport (10 year passport)
- Renewal of second valid passport: Bearer’s current second valid passport and copy of normal validity U.S. passport.
- A signed written statement giving the reason(s) why the second passport is required, and attesting that the loss of either of the two passports will be reported immediately to Passport Services, or if abroad, to the nearest U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or Consular Agency.
Step 3 – Passport Photographs
Applicants must provide one passport photograph at the time of application. Your application will be delayed if the photo does not meet the requirements.
Step 4 – Pay the applicable fee
Effective 12/27/2021 the fee is 130 USD for the second passport for adults and 135 USD for children under 16. Please review the information on acceptable methods of payment. Payment is made on the day of the appointment.
The fee is a non-refundable processing fee and is retained by the Department of State whether or not the passport is issued.
Step 5 – Schedule an appointment and submit the application
Set up an appointment online and read about security screening.
Emergency Passport
The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and the Consulate General in Krakow can issue emergency passports in certain limited circumstances. These passports have very restricted validity and are generally issued only to enable stranded citizens to return home. Persons who need emergency passports should apply during regular working hours and should follow the regular instructions for the type of passport that pertains to them. Provided that everything is in order emergency passports are issued within one business day, however in certain situations the waiting time may be longer.
Processing Time and Delivery Options
Once an application is approved, it is printed in the United States and couriered to the Embassy or Consulate. The average processing time for a U.S. passport is five to ten business days. Renewals by mail may take a few extra days. To check the status, go to: https://passportstatus.state.gov/
You will receive an email when the passport is ready. It can be collected at the American Citizen Services Unit within our business hours Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm (no appointment required). We can also mail the passport by courier to an address in Poland at your cost, payable upon delivery. You will select the delivery option at the time of application.