Passport Inquiries

General information about Passport Services is located on the Embassy’s website: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passport-services/

All U.S. Citizens living in Brazil who are eligible to use the DS-82 passport renewal form must renew their U.S. passports by mail through the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro. To determine eligibility for the mail-in program and for additional information please visit: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passport-services/
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates cannot transfer visas into your new U.S. passport.
The Embassy is not able to provide a copy of CRBAs or passport records. Please see the Department of State’s website for details on how to obtain such documents: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/passport-records.html

Acceptable payment methods for in-person passport appointments:

  • Brasilia, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo:
    U.S. debit card
    International credit card
    Cash – either U.S. dollars or Brazilian Reais equivalent

  • Recife, Consular Agency in Fortaleza, Manaus, and Salvador:
    International credit card
    Cash – Brazilian Reais equivalent only

  • To pay by credit card, the owner of the card must be present at the appointment.

In general, to apply for a U.S. passport, you must:

  • Fill out the appropriate application form;
  • Provide evidence of U.S. citizenship;
  • Provide supporting documents;
  • Provide a photo;
  • Pay the appropriate fee; and
  • Submit the application.

Step-by-step application instructions, including information about applications forms, fee payment, photograph requirements, required supporting documents and how to submit your application are provided on the Embassy website at: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passport-services/

Use the Passport Wizard to determine eligibility for the mail-in program, or to schedule an appointment if required.

Note: All U.S. Citizens living in Brazil who are eligible to use the DS-82 passport renewal form must renew their U.S. passports by mail through the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro. To determine eligibility for the mail-in program and for additional information please visit: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passport-services/ .

Appropriate application forms for the required passport service can be found on the Embassy’s website at: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passport-services/

If using the online version of the application form, once you have answered all the questions the form will generate as a PDF file. You must print the application form as it cannot be submitted to the Embassy electronically. If you have difficulty with the online application form, there is a downloadable PDF version which can be printed and completed by hand using black ink.

We recommend that you schedule your appointment as soon as possible to avoid issues with your travel. If an appointment is available before your travel date, no matter how close to the date, please book it. You will be able to discuss whether an emergency passport is required based on your travel plans at your appointment.

For a list of the different fees for passport services, please visit the State Department’s website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/fees.html

You may pay by:

  • Brasilia, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo:
    U.S. debit card
    International credit card
    Cash – either U.S. dollars or Brazilian Reais equivalent

  • Recife, Consular Agency in Fortaleza, Manaus, and Salvador:
    International credit card
    Cash – Brazilian Reais equivalent only

  • To pay by credit card, the owner of the card must be present at the appointment.

Note: U.S. citizens that are eligible to renew their U.S. passport using the DS-82 form must renew their U.S. passport by mail and pay the fee online at https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/1156527186/ .

Adult Passport Renewals by Mail: Once we have received your passport application, the average processing time is 5 weeks.

Child’s CRBA and passport and Adult in-person applications: If you were advised on the day of your interview that your application was approved, the average processing time is 3 – 4 weeks.

Due to high demand, American Citizen Services units are unable to provide routine status updates for applications within the standard processing timeframe. Standard processing times for all services are approximate. Times quoted should be used only as a guide.

We do not have access to information regarding the status of your application.

You can check the status of your U.S. passport application at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/after/status.html

If you require an emergency passport due to a lost/stolen passport or you have emergency travel, please send an email to the American Citizens Services unit at the closest U.S. embassy or consulate, explaining your situation and the date by which you need your passport. Please note that emergency passports are not issued outside of normal business hours.

Brasília: BrasiliaACS@state.gov
Porto Alegre: PortoAlegreACS@state.gov
Recife: RecifeACS@state.gov
Rio de Janeiro: ACSRio@state.gov
São Paulo: SaoPauloACs@state.gov

If no appointment is available when you first check, please check the calendar periodically for any newly released appointments.

Appointments are released periodically. The appointment calendar operates in real time so will show any available appointments, including appointments available due to cancellations. Appointments will not be released on a specific date or time so please regularly check the calendar for availability.

Children aged 14 and over may sign their own passports. For children under the age of 14, a parent should sign. In the space provided for the signature, the parent or legal guardian must print the child’s name and sign his/her/their own name. Then, in parentheses, they should write their relationship to the child so who signed the passport is known, i.e. (mother) or (father).
Your old passport will be canceled and returned to you with your new one. Stamps and visas are unaffected when a passport is canceled.