6676 Lake Michigan Drive
P O Box 539
Allendale, Michigan 49401

Ph: 616-895-6295
Fax:616-895-6670 and
616-895-6330

Office hours:
Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm

New passport service!

Customers who have recently applied for U. S. passports and want to know the status of their applications may do so by accessing this site using a standard browser. Customers can securely enter online their last name, date of birth, and last four digits of their social security number to receive information on the status of their application. A customer's personal information will remain in the system only long enough for he/she to complete in inquiry, thus protecting that data, as authorized by law

Passport “Emergency Kit”
Pack an “emergency kit” to help you get a replacement passport in case yours is lost or stolen. To make a “kit”:

1) Photocopy the data page at the front of your passport,

2) Write down the addresses and telephone numbers of the U. S. embassies and consulates in the countries you plan to visit,

3) put this information, along with two recent passport size photographs, in a place separate from your passport.

On-line Passport Forms

Click here to connect with the United States Department of State for online passport applications!

Applications Accepted at Allendale Charter Township Office

United States citizens planning international travel may apply for their passports at the Allendale Charter Township office, located at 6676 Lake Michigan Dr., open Monday-Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm. Please call first to make sure that the Clerk, Candy Kraker, is in the office to process your application before you bring all of your materials in. For more information, just call her at 616-895-6295,
ext. 6. Keep in mind that once a passport application has been received by the U. S. Department of State, it can take 8 weeks to process, possibly up to 10 weeks during peak months at the first of the year.

Travel Warnings

Travel warnings and public announcements for foreign countries are available by calling
1-202-647-5225 or by checking the website www.travel.state.gov

Travel Tips

Learn about the countries that you plan to visit...Read as much as possible about the countries in which you plan to travel. Informing yourself about a nation's history, culture, customs, and politics will make your stay more meaningful. Although English is spoken in many countries, it is a good idea to learn what you can of the language.

Foreign Currency - Before departing, you may wish to purchase small amounts of foreign currency to use for buses, taxis, phones, or tips when you first arrive. Foreign exchange facilities at airports may be closed when your flight arrives. You can purchase foreign currency at some U.S. banks, at foreign exchange firms, at foreign exchange windows, or even at vending machines in many international airports in the United States. Some countries regulate the amount of local currency that you can bring into or take out of the country. Others require that you exchange a minimum amount of currency. For currency regulations, check with a bank, a foreign exchange firm, your travel agent, or the embassy or consulate of the countries that you plan to visit.

Health related issues:

For the most current information on immunizations and health risks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains an international travelers hotline at 1-888-232-3228 and a travel health home page at www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult with the World Health Organization's web site at www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available on the World Health Organization's International Travel and Health page at www.who/int/ith.

It is wise to review your health insurance policy before you travel. Check with your insurance company to see if you are covered in foreign countries, or if you need to purchase supplemental coverage. If you become seriously ill, U. S. Consular officers can assist in finding a doctor and in notifying your family and friends about your condition. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, are accessible on the internet at www.travel.state.gov.

Useful precautions for traveling abroad...

• Leave things like unnecessary credit cards and expensive jewelry at home

• Take travelers checks, not cash

• Use a money belt or concealed pouch for passport, cash, and other valuables

• Leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States

• Bring either a US passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate and current, valid photo identification

• Carry your photo identification and the name of a person to contact with you in the event of serious illness or other emergencies

• As you travel, keep abreast of local news coverage. If you plan a stay in one place for longer than a few weeks, or if you are in an area where communications are poor, you are encouraged to register with the Department of State, at https://travelregistration.state.gov