Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco

• 1. By Appointment: Please make an appointment online. Appointment slots are Monday–Thursday, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (25 slots). Those with appointments must check in at the 1st-floor counter before their scheduled time, and no later than 12:30 PM, to get a number (Number series 1XXX).
• 2. Walk-in Application: Walk-in hours are Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM. First come, first served. 15 numbers (Number series 3XXX) will be issued. Issuance stops once numbers are exhausted or when the time reaches 10:30 AM.
• 3. Mail-in or drop-off Application: Please mail to 345 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107. ATTN: TECO (PASSPORT)  *Exceptions: Those with lost passports, photos over 20 years old, or significant changes to appearance must apply in person.

• Payment Methods: Cash, Money Order, or Cashier's Check only, payable to TECO. Credit cards and personal checks are not accepted.
• Rates:

• Regular e-Passport (10-year validity): $45 USD

• Minors under 14 e-Passport (5-year validity): $31 USD

• Emergency Non-Biometric Passport (1-year validity): $10 USD

• e-Passport (Printed by BOCA in Taipei): Approx. 8 weeks after all required documents are complete.
• Non-Biometric Passport (Issued by this office): Approx. 5 to 10 working days after all required documents are complete.

• 1. Mail-in Return:

Applicants are encouraged to include a self-addressed USPS return envelope with their application. Please use a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope with $12 in physical stamps attached. Ensure your name and address are filled in and that you retain the tracking number. Note: Do not use QR code stamps or digital barcode labels, as they expire quickly. FedEx and UPS are not accepted.

• 2. In-Person Pick Up

Starting March 1, 2026, please visit the office on Fridays between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM, either on the pick-up date listed on your receipt or after receiving a notification via phone or email. Upon arrival, obtain a queue number on the 1st floor (2XXX series; no daily limit) and wait in the 2nd-floor waiting room. No appointment is required.

If Friday falls on a holiday, please visit our office the following Friday.

• R.O.C. (Taiwan) Passport Application Form. Submit one form. Fill it out based on the data in your old passport. Complete fields 1 through 10 (including phone and email in field 9). Sign field 11 on the back. In the blank underlined space above field 12 ("I hereby declare that I have received..."), print the applicant's Chinese name in block letters.

• Minors (<18): A parent or legal guardian must check the box and sign the bottom part of field 11 ("I declare the applicant is a minor... formally agreed by Father/Mother/Guardian").
• Children (<7): A parent should sign the child's name in field 11, followed by "(Father signing on behalf)" or "(Mother signing on behalf)."

• Submit 2 identical photos.
• Specifications: Must match ICAO/BOCA e-Passport specs.
  • Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.5 cm.
  • Head size: 3.2 to 3.6 cm (Alternatively, use U.S. passport specs with a maximum head size of 1 3/8 inches).
• Must be a recent color photo (within 6 months) with a white background. It is recommended that the photo is not identical to photos on other ID documents (to prove recency).
• Non-compliant photos: Will result in rejection by BOCA, requiring resubmission and extending processing time.
• Tips for US photos:
  1. Do not wear glasses.
  2. Tell the photographer to use U.S. passport size (2x2 inches) but emphasize the head size (crown to chin) must be the maximum allowed (1 3/8 inches) to meet Taiwan standards.
  3. Mouth closed (no teeth showing), and eyebrows/eyes/ears must be visible (not covered by hair).

• Submit the most recent original passport. If lost, follow "Passport Replacement" procedures.
• The old passport will be cut at the corner to invalidate it upon issuance of the new one. Do not cut it yourself.

• Nationals without household registration returning to Taiwan must possess a return/outbound ticket.
• Stay > 3 months: Fill out the "Entry/Exit Permit Application Form," check "臨人字Lin-Ren-Zi Entry Permit,", attach 1 photo, and show original + copy of valid U.S. passport or Green Card.
• Non-Biometric Passport holders: Must apply for a "Temporary Entry Permit" at the NIA office before the immigration counter upon arrival in Taiwan.

• (1) Legal representative (Father/Mother/Guardian) must sign the consent section on the back of the application form. If the child cannot sign, a parent signs for them in field 11 followed by "(Father/Mother signing on behalf)."
• (2) ID of Legal Representative: Original and copy of R.O.C. passport (or foreign passport if they are a foreigner).
• (3) Proof of Parent-Child Relationship: Original and copy of Birth Certificate, Household Registration Transcript, or valid Guardianship documents.
• (4) Divorced Parents: Provide proof of custody (Divorce Decree, court documents, or Household Registration Transcript with notes within the last 3 months).
• (5) Documents (Birth/Marriage/Divorce) issued outside this office's jurisdiction must be authenticated by the relevant TECO/Mission first.

• (1) Completed/Exempt: Submit Discharge Order, Taiwan ID card stating service status, National Guard Certificate, or Exemption Certificate.
• (2) Students: If the old passport has a conscription control stamp and you meet schooling regulations, submit a school enrollment certificate with a seal/stamp issued within the last 3 months. (Undergrad up to age 24, Masters up to 27, PhD up to 30; extendable per year if the program exceeds 4 years, PhD max age 33).
• (3) Non-compliant: If renewal does not meet schooling regulations under Conscription Law, only a "Certificate of Entry" or a 1-year passport for return purposes will be issued.
• (4) Check the National Conscription Agency website (https://www.nca.gov.tw/) to avoid legal issues.

• Overseas Compatriot Status: If your old passport has this stamp, renew before it expires to transfer the stamp. If expired, treat as a first-time application (submit "Entry/Exit Date Certificate Application" + check passports).
• Data Correction:
  • To change/add an English alias, or change English name (due to phonetic mismatch with national language), fill out the "Passport Amendment Application."
  • To update Place of Birth or ID number: Provide new R.O.C. ID (front/back copy), Household Registration Transcript, or Household Certificate.
  • Place of Birth: "China" should be updated to the Province/City. "Taiwan" should be updated to the specific special municipality (Taipei, New Taipei, etc.).
  • No ID Number: If the passport lacks an ID number (or it is not 10 digits/lacks the starting letter), fill out the "Application for Allocation of National ID Number."
• Note on Names: Variant characters (e.g., 黃 vs 黄) must match Household Registration data.

• Has Overseas Compatriot Endorsement: Eligible for a 10-year passport.
• Eligible for Overseas Compatriot Endorsement: Eligible for a 10-year passport + endorsement.
• Left before Dec 31 of the year turning 15 and never returned: Eligible for a 10-year passport.
• Left before conscription age (19), currently studying:
  • Language/High School/Community College/University (up to age 24).
  • Master's/PhD (age 25-27).
  • PhD (age 28-33).
  • With proof of enrollment: Eligible for a 3-year passport.
• Does not meet the above: Cannot renew passport. Only eligible for a 1-year return passport or Certificate of Entry.
• Dual Nationals: Males with household registration in Taiwan must enter/exit on the R.O.C. passport. If entering on a foreign passport, they are still subject to conscription laws and may be restricted from exiting.