I need a renewal on my passport without waiting weeks as I drive across the Michigan and Ontario Canada border weekly.

by karen
(Lansing, Michigan.usa)

Question: I travel between Michigan and Ontario, Canada bi-weekly for family. I need a passport to go across the border. My passport expires in July 2010.

How can I renew my passport without sending it in the mail and waiting weeks. I would like to go to an office, pay my fee and get my RENEWED passport right away.

Can you help?

Answer: You have two options in order to renew your passport.

1. Apply for a new passport card using form DS-11.

The passport card is restricted to land and sea crossings between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean region.

Since you already have a passport, you could use form DS-82 to get the passport card but that would require you to send in your passport book along with the application.

Using form DS-11 will allow you to keep your passport book while the application for a passport card is being processed. Regular processing takes 4-6 weeks.

However, this will require you to submit the application at a local acceptance facility. There are two in Lansing. Click the link to open a window with a map.

County Clerk (Ingham Co.)
Veteran's Memorial Courthouse
313 W. Kalamazoo, 1st Floor
Lansing MI 48933
(517) 483-6424

Lansing MI Post Office
4800 Collins Road
Lansing MI 48924
(517) 337-8715

To apply for the passport card, take the completed but unsigned application form, proof of citizenship, proof of identity, photocopy of identity, two passport photos to the agent at the acceptance facility. Take the oath and sign the application. The fee for a new passport card is $20.

Once your card arrives, I recommend you begin the process to renew your passport book by mail.

2. Apply at the Detroit Passport Agency.

You first have to make an appointment by calling toll-free at 1-877-487-2778, 24 hours/day.

In this case, you will be applying for a renewal using form DS-82. All you need is the application form, your current passport and two photos. If your name has changed since your current passport was issued, you will have to submit legal documentation to this fact as well. The fee is $75 for the passport book plus another $60 for expedited services.

You can request a passport card at the same time your renew your passport book even if it is your first card. Again, the fee for the card is $20.

Detroit Passport Agency
211 West Fort Street
Detroit, MI 48226-3269