by Thomas
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
Question: Hi, Advice?...Prior passport issued in '93, expired in '03. I legally changed my last name in '94, haven't used passport since. Have court docs to verify the name change. Have valid Ohio driver's license, SS card, my old passport in good condition, New Jersey birth cert., etc.
What's my quickest course to getting a valid passport? Mail? In-person, and if so, where?
Answer: Since your most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago, you must appear in person in order to apply for a new passport. Besides evidence of United States citizenship, proof of identity, a photocopy of the identification document and one recent passport photo, you also need to submit evidence of the name change. If your expired passport is not damaged, it can be used for both evidence of citizenship and identification.
There are only two ways to get a new passport in 2 weeks or less.
One, you can visit a regional passport agency. Those closest to Cincinnati are the Detroit and Chicago agencies. Click the links below for details.
Chicago Passport Agency => http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/chicago-passport-agency.html
Detroit Passport Agency => http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/detroit-passport-agency.html
Two, you can apply through a registered passport expediting service. In this case, you only need to appear at a passport office in Cincinnati. After the passport agent has adjudicated the application and placed it in a sealed envelope, you will mail the packet to the expediting service. The expediter can have the application processed in 24-48 hours. Click the link below for more information.
Expedited Passport Service => http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/GetPassportFast
Cincinnati Passport Offices => http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/cincinnati-passport.html



