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U.S. Citizen Services

Official Passports

Official (no-fee) passports are issued to officials or employees of the U.S. Government (and their dependents) traveling abroad on official duties. Official passports are normally issued by the Special Issuance Agency in Washington, D.C. and valid for five years.

Please Note: Because official and no-fee passports are all issued by the State Department in Washington, we must forward the applications to Washington for processing. The processing time from the day your materials are sent off to Washington until the time your passport is delivered to the Embassy is approximately TWO MONTHS. It can take longer during the busy spring and summer transfer seasons. There is unfortunately no way to expedite the process, so it is crucial that you apply as early as possible, and make no unchangeable travel plans until your passport is actually in hand. We will notify you once your official passport is issued and delivered to the Embassy.

Please submit the following items:

  • Passport application must be filled out using the Passport Wizard. Once completed, please print the application form, but DO NOT sign. Applications filled out by hand will not be accepted.
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship
    Original U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Naturalization Certificate.

    Please Note: Hospitals in the United States sometimes issue a commemorative "certificate of birth" which often has the baby's footprints. This hospital-issued certificate is not a proof of citizenship. Certified birth certificates are issued by the State or County government, not a hospital.

    If the submitted document is under a different name, you must provide original evidence of the change of name, such as a marriage certificate or a court order.
  • Proof of Identity
    For example, a driver's license, military I.D., etc.  
  • One passport photograph
    Sized 2" X 2" (or 5 cm X 5 cm) with a white background taken within the last six months.
  • Form DD-1056: Authorization to apply for a No-Fee passport. Must be typed and signed in blue ink by the authorizing official. This form is provided by your agency.

    Please make sure to include the following information:
    • Major Service Component (item 2)
    • Title and grade (item 7)
    • Countries to be visited (item 11)
    • Date of departure to a new assignment or TDY (item 14)
    • Date of return to the U.S. or duration of your TDY or PCS assignment (item 15)

Additional Documents

For Military Personnel: Assignment orders or a letter from the appropriate military authority showing purpose of travel and countries to be visited. Dependents must be included on the sponsor's travel authorization in order to be eligible for no-fee official passports.

If you are renewing your passport, please make sure the letter includes the extension of your overseas duty.

For Civilian/DOD Federal Government Personnel: Please supply us with your current transportation agreement and initial travel orders assigning you and your dependents to the country of destination and which specify a point of hire.  Along with the following documents

  • Current DD-1614 (Request and Authorization for DOD Civilian Permanent Duty Travel)
  • Current DD-1617 (Transportation Agreement - Overseas Employee) 

If you are renewing your passport, please supply your travel orders extending your present tour of duty overseas or assigning you new duty in another country, along with a Certificate of Employment from your Personnel Office. 

For Civilian/DOD Teachers:

  • Initial DD-1614 (Request and Authorization for DOD Civilian Permanent Duty Travel)
  • Current DD-1614 (Request and Authorization for DOD Civilian Permanent Duty Travel)
  • Current DD-1616 (Transportation Agreement for Professional School Personnel covered by Public Law 86-91) or a letter from your Personnel Office with the same information carried on the DD-1616. 

Processing Time
Official passports are processed and issued in Washington. Processing takes about 2 to 3 months. We will notify you once your official passport is issued and delivered to the Embassy.

 

 


For American Citizen Services (ACS) inquiries, please e-mail us at seoulinfoacs@state.gov.

If you are an American citizen with an after hours emergency, please call us at 82-2-397-4114. If you have access to DSN, please call 721-4114.

For more information on how to contact us, please click here.

Updated: April 26, 2012

Announcement

  • A photo booth is now available in the ACS waiting room! For 7,000 Korean Won or $7 U.S. Dollars two passport photos will be produced and ready in a matter of minutes. We hope this will make it easier for our American Citizen Services customers to complete their passport applications and other submissions with a minimum of hassle.

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U.S. PASSPORTS