Individuals who want to travel outside the US must have a current passport. If the person has never had one before, they are required to apply for a new pasport in person. The application requirements differ among adults, teens and children. What follows is an outline of the process for an adult application.
The first step that an adult must take to secure a US travel document for the first time is to locate the nearest passport acceptance facility and appear to apply in person, even trying to use an expedited child pasport service. Typically these facilities are inside your local post office, the county clerk office or libraries. Check the Internet or your local phone book for the Department of State to find the office nearest you.
Several documents are required as a form of proof of identity, which include a State ID, naturalization papers, military certificate, and driver license. If you have an ID card from some other state, you will have to provide a credit card, social security card, a library card or an alternative secondary identification document. It is a good idea to make copies of the forms of identification before taking them to apply for a travel document.
It is also required that applicants show proof that they are United States citizens. A certified United States birth certificate, a citizenship certificate or naturalization papers can serve as proof. You will also need a current photo for your new travel document. There are several places to have these pictures taken, however, check to see if it is possible to have it taken at the acceptance facility. Many of the facilities are equipped to take photos.
After gathering all the documents, take them with your pictures to the post office or other acceptance facility. To save time, you can locate the appropriate form online, print it and fill it out prior to your visit to the facility. Remember not to sign the application since it must be signed when an agent tells you to. The authorized agent acts as a witness to the signing of your application.
At the acceptance facility you work with an authorized agent who will review your documents and take your payment. All payments are accepted in money order or check only. The fees change periodically so it is a good idea to check for the correct fee amount before hand.
A packet containing the complete application, your supportive documents and photos is then submitted to the US Department of State. To expedite the process there is an additional charge and the passport will be received in approximately three weeks. For normal delivery you can expect to receive your document in about six weeks.
The first step that an adult must take to secure a US travel document for the first time is to locate the nearest passport acceptance facility and appear to apply in person, even trying to use an expedited child pasport service. Typically these facilities are inside your local post office, the county clerk office or libraries. Check the Internet or your local phone book for the Department of State to find the office nearest you.
Several documents are required as a form of proof of identity, which include a State ID, naturalization papers, military certificate, and driver license. If you have an ID card from some other state, you will have to provide a credit card, social security card, a library card or an alternative secondary identification document. It is a good idea to make copies of the forms of identification before taking them to apply for a travel document.
It is also required that applicants show proof that they are United States citizens. A certified United States birth certificate, a citizenship certificate or naturalization papers can serve as proof. You will also need a current photo for your new travel document. There are several places to have these pictures taken, however, check to see if it is possible to have it taken at the acceptance facility. Many of the facilities are equipped to take photos.
After gathering all the documents, take them with your pictures to the post office or other acceptance facility. To save time, you can locate the appropriate form online, print it and fill it out prior to your visit to the facility. Remember not to sign the application since it must be signed when an agent tells you to. The authorized agent acts as a witness to the signing of your application.
At the acceptance facility you work with an authorized agent who will review your documents and take your payment. All payments are accepted in money order or check only. The fees change periodically so it is a good idea to check for the correct fee amount before hand.
A packet containing the complete application, your supportive documents and photos is then submitted to the US Department of State. To expedite the process there is an additional charge and the passport will be received in approximately three weeks. For normal delivery you can expect to receive your document in about six weeks.
About the Author:
Getting a new United States passport is easier than one might think. Quite a few of the facilities also provide photo services as well, so it is possible to complete the whole process at one stop, even if using the expedited child US passport service.
No comments:
Post a Comment