US Passport Center – Terms of Service & Refund Policy
Effective Date: June 21, 2026
By placing an order, submitting documents, or utilizing our services, you explicitly agree to these Terms of Service and Refund Policy (“Terms”). These Terms form a legally binding agreement between you and US Passport Center (“we,” “us,” or “our”). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our services.
1. Our Services & Government Relationship
Private Service Disclosure — US Passport Center is a privately owned and operated passport expediting service. We partner with multiple authorized courier companies registered under the U.S. Department of State's official hand-carry courier program to submit client documents.
Government Affiliation — US Passport Center is NOT part of, affiliated with, or an agent of the U.S. government, the U.S. Department of State, or any government authority. We are a private entity that facilitates document submission through our network of registered courier partners.
Courier & Safety Standards — The registered courier companies we partner with strictly comply with all security standards mandated by the U.S. Department of State. All couriers handling your physical documents must pass rigorous background checks to ensure complete safety.
Submission Slots — Through our courier partnership network, we utilize agency-approved daily passport submission slots. These slots provide processing availability not accessible to the general public, enabling accelerated processing for qualified applications.
Service Specialization — We specialize in expedited third-party courier handling for:
-New U.S. Passports
-Passport Renewals (Including Second Passports)
-Lost or Stolen Passport Replacements
-Damaged Passport Replacements
-Child Passports
-International Travel Visas
2. Scope of Services & Limitations
US Passport Center assists clients by:
Reviewing submitted materials for compliance and completeness.
Providing clear instructions, document checklists, and application guidance.
Hand-carrying and expediting applications to appropriate government agencies or consulates.
Tracking application statuses and providing logistical updates.
Safely receiving and distributing issued travel documents when authorized.
US Passport Center does NOT:
Issue passports, cards, or visas.
Influence or control government processing decisions, background checks, or timelines.
Guarantee application approvals, mandatory issuance windows, or legal outcomes.
All final evaluation and issuance decisions remain solely under the authority of the U.S. Department of State or applicable foreign government entity.
3. Government Fees Disclosure
Service Fee Separation: All fees charged by US Passport Center cover document preparation assistance, courier handling, and private expediting services. Our service fees do not include U.S. government passport fees.
Direct Government Payment: Government passport fees must be paid directly to the "U.S. Department of State" via personal check or money order as part of the legal execution process.
Standard & Expedited Fee Structures:
— Routine / Standard Mail Service: Government fees typically begin at $152.05 for an adult book (includes baseline application fee + 1–2 day return shipping).
— Expedited / Emergency Service: Government fees are typically $212.05 for an Adult Book and $182.05 for a Child Book (includes expedited processing charges + 1–2 day return shipping).
— Passport Cards: Specialized travel cards carry additional government fees ranging from approximately $15 (Child) to $65 (Adult combo setups).
Fee Verification: If you are uncertain of the precise government fee required for your application, our support team will help confirm the exact check amount based on your passport type, age, and selected processing tier.
4. Authorization & Privacy Act Consent
Courier Authorization: You authorize US Passport Center to submit your U.S. passport or travel visa application to the U.S. Department of State, regional passport agencies, foreign embassies, or consulates, and to receive delivery of the issued document on your behalf.
Privacy Act Waiver: Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579), government employees cannot discuss your passport status with a third party without explicit consent. By agreeing to these Terms and signing our Letter of Authorization (LOA), you provide this mandatory written authorization.
Travel Proof: A valid travel itinerary, corporate employer letter, or foreign hotel confirmation showing international travel within 14 days or 28 days if you need foreign travel visa may be strictly required for emergency hand-carry slots. You bear sole responsibility for providing this proof.
5. Customer Responsibilities
As the applicant, you are solely responsible for:
Providing completely accurate, truthful, and legible information on all government forms.
Submit all required original documentation (e.g., certified birth certificates, naturalization papers, or damaged books).
Providing valid, up-to-date travel itineraries when required.
Ensuring bank checks or money orders have sufficient funds and are drafted exactly as instructed.
Promptly follow all operational checklists provided by our support team.
Failure to provide accurate or complete information will result in processing delays, additional government information requests (letters/suspensions), or immediate rejection of the application.
6. Processing Times & Travel Disclaimer
Estimated Windows: All processing times listed on our website or communicated via email represent estimated processing windows based on typical seasonal conditions and courier slot availability. They are estimates, not contractual guarantees.
Uncontrollable Delays: Actual processing times may fluctuate due to factors completely beyond our control, including government backlogs, additional security reviews, system outages, weather-related passport agency closures, or third-party shipping delays.
Booking Advisory: Customers are strongly advised not to make non-refundable travel arrangements until their physical passport has been successfully delivered and verified. We are not liable for missed flights, cruises, hotel bookings, or associated financial losses resulting from government delays or shipping bottlenecks.
7. Refund & Cancellation Policy
Because the US Passport Center secures and allocates limited, high-demand passport agency submission slots immediately upon order placement, refunds are strictly structured as follows:
Full Refund: Available within 2 hours of order placement. You must email our support team immediately to cancel.
Partial Refund (Minus $50 Administrative Fee per person): Available within 24 hours of purchase, provided your order has not yet been manifested, no specific agency submission slot has been reserved, and no customized application packet has been generated.
Partial Refund (Minus $100 Administrative Fee per person): Available within 30 days of purchase if your order has been manifested and your custom application checklists have been generated or emailed, but your documents have not yet been submitted to our hub or the government.
Strictly Non-Refundable: Once your physical application packet has been received at our processing hub, submitted to the government, or if 30 days have passed since order placement.
Order Validity Extension: Non-refundable or paused orders remain valid for up to 12 months from the original purchase date. They may be processed at a later date or transferred fully to an immediate family member or friend.
No refunds will be issued under any circumstances for:
Changes to personal travel itineraries or voluntary cancellations.
Delays or losses caused by third-party shipping carriers (FedEx, UPS, USPS).
Government processing delays, data errors on the face of the issued passport, or outright rejections by the U.S. Department of State.
Incomplete, inaccurate, or missing documentation provided by the applicant.
To request a cancellation, you must contact our support team directly to receive and submit our electronic Refund Request Form. Approved refunds are credited back exclusively to the original payment method.
8. Limitation of Liability & Shipping Disclaimer
Liability Cap: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, US Passport Center’s total financial liability is strictly limited to the service fees explicitly paid to us, excluding all government fees and third-party shipping fees.
Third-Party Carrier Exclusions: All document packages are routed through third-party carriers (primarily FedEx). US Passport Center is not responsible or liable for shipping delays, logistical routing errors, or lost/damaged packages caused by third-party delivery networks. We highly recommend shipping with "No Signature Required" to ensure smooth delivery to our hub, as outlined in our checklists.
Hold Harmless: By utilizing our services, you release and hold US Passport Center, its owners, officers, and employees harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from government processing delays, lost travel documents, or missed itinerary expenses.
9. Force Majeure
US Passport Center shall not be held liable or responsible for operational delays, slot reductions, or service interruptions caused by events beyond our reasonable control. This includes, but is not limited to: government shutdowns, natural disasters, national pandemics, labor strikes, regional transportation disruptions, federal passport agency closures, or Department of State system outages.
10. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
These Terms, along with all operational interactions with our courier service, are governed exclusively by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Any legal disputes, claims, or actions arising out of these Terms must be filed and resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
11. Contact & Document Submission
For questions regarding these Terms, or to submit your authorized application materials, please direct all correspondence to our operational processing hub:
US Passport Center
Attn: Processing Department
2324 S Lambert Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145
Continued use of our website, service portals, or custom checklists constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of these updated Terms.
Helping you navigate the U.S. passport application process with clarity and care.
Services
New Passport
Passport Renewal
US PASSPORT CENTER is a private service, not a government agency. We charge a service fee for administrative assistance and expedited handling. Routine services are available directly through the U.S. Department of State at a lower cost. All hand-carry submissions are managed and executed exclusively by our authorized, registered passport courier operations registered with the U.S. Department of State