FAQs
Passport and visa questions come up before almost every trip. Below are clear answers from Sam’s Passport in Houston on requirements, renewals, and rush processing.
A passport is a government-issued travel document that proves your citizenship and identity. Every traveler, including infants, needs one to cross an international border and to re-enter the United States.
Adult passports (issued to applicants 16 and older) are valid for 10 years. Passports issued to minors under 16 are valid for 5 years. Many countries require at least 6 months of remaining validity before they allow entry, so check before you travel.
Yes. The U.S. government requires a separate passport for every traveler, regardless of age. Both parents (or legal guardians) must consent when applying for a child under 16.
The U.S. State Department no longer adds extra pages. You must apply for a new passport. Sam's Passport can expedite a renewal so you receive a fresh book before your trip.
Yes. Airlines and border agents can deny boarding if the name on your passport differs from the name on your ticket. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, renew your passport before booking travel.
Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. They can issue an emergency travel document. Once you return, apply for a replacement passport and report the loss to the U.S. State Department to prevent misuse.
Yes. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency and Department of State to process new passports, renewals, and name changes according to your departure date. Call (713) 784-5501 with your travel date.
A passport proves citizenship and lets you re-enter the U.S., but it does not automatically grant entry to every country. Many nations require a visa, a separate permit from the destination country before you arrive. Check requirements with Sam's Passport or visit our visa services page.
Requirements vary by nationality and destination. Many countries allow visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry for U.S. passport holders for short tourist stays, but others, including China, India, Brazil, Russia, and several African nations, require advance visas. Contact Sam's Passport for country-specific guidance.
A tourist visa permits travel for leisure. A business visa allows activities like attending meetings, negotiations, conferences, or signing contracts. Each country defines what falls under each category. Performing paid work usually requires a different visa class.
A single-entry visa allows one entry before it expires. A multiple-entry visa lets you enter and leave multiple times during the validity period. Which one you receive depends on the destination country, your nationality, and the treaties between the two nations.
Yes. Most consulates stamp or affix the visa to a blank page inside your passport. Sam's Passport receives your passport, submits it with the application, and returns it to you once the visa is issued.
Visa applications require separate, recent photographs (usually taken within the last 6 months). Most countries specify a 2x2 inch size with a white background. Sam's Passport offers passport and visa photo services at our Houston office.
Yes. We prepare photos, application forms, and supporting letters the same business day so nothing is rejected. Processing time depends on the consulate. Call (713) 784-5501 with your travel date.
An apostille is a single certificate from the Secretary of State accepted by Hague Convention countries. Embassy legalization is a longer chain, state certification, federal authentication, and an embassy stamp required by non-Hague countries.
A certificate of notary is a Texas Secretary of State certification confirming that the notary who witnessed a signature holds a valid commission. It is the first step in the authentication chain for non-Hague countries.
No. The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document. It goes directly to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC for apostille or authentication, it skips the state step entirely.
Yes. We provide certified document translations with notarization included. Translations can then be apostilled or authenticated for overseas use.
Apply at the Houston Police Department Records Division with a valid ID and fingerprints. Sam's Passport can then apostille or authenticate the letter for overseas use.
Consular fees are charged by embassies or government agencies for processing visas, authentication, or legalization. Sam's Passport service fees cover our work: document review, preparation, submission, tracking, and overnight shipping between agencies. The two fees are separate.
Sam's Passport is a private expediting service in Houston that works directly with the U.S. Passport Agency, the Department of State, the Texas Secretary of State, and foreign embassies to process passports, visas, apostilles, authentications, and legalizations, so you meet your travel or filing deadline without the stress.
Government offices and embassies are closed on weekends and evenings. Gather your documents and deliver them (or FedEx Priority Overnight) to our Houston office the next business day. Call (713) 784-5501 as early as possible so we can start preparing.
Yes. Clients nationwide ship to 1811 Bering Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77057 by FedEx or UPS Priority Overnight. Call (713) 784-5501 before shipping so we confirm everything you need to include.