New Passport Application – Getting A Pass Port Form Is Easy
Applying for a passport can be a mysterious process for those who have never held one. Many applications are turned down due to errors made by the applicant. Arriving at the passport agency without the proper documents is one key reason for rejection. The information presented here will help you to get your passport application approved without a frustrating waste of time.
If you already have a passport that is less than 15 years old, you may be able to renew it by mail. The passport cannot be damaged, and you must have been at least 16 years old when it was issued. If your name has changed, you have to provide legal proof of the name change.
Renewals by mail usually take a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks to process unless expedited service is requested. During summer months, the time can stretch to 10 or 12 weeks. The application and passport forms should be mailed using a method that allows you to verify delivery. It is also recommended that you use a waterproof mailer that will protect all items from damage and weather. Expedited renewals are normally processed in half the time as standard applications. There is an additional charge of $60 for expedited services.
If you have never had a passport, or if your old one is beyond the time frame of 15 years, you must appear in person. You must also make a personal application if under age 16 either at the present time or when the prior passport was issued. If your previous passport was stolen, lost, or damaged, you cannot renew by mail but must go in person to make the application. Name changes for which you do not have legal documentation also require that you complete the application process in person.
Typically, most people choose to apply at their local post office or office of the county clerk. There are several official passport agencies located across the country, but these are regionally based and may be quite distant from your home. Every office will keep different hours, so it is best to call ahead. Every one, however, will need the same types of documentation. You must prove you are a citizen of the United States by providing an official birth certificate or proof of naturalization. Consular reports or notice of birth can serve if you were born abroad and your parents were citizens of the U.S. If you have an undamaged passport, this will also serve to document citizenship.
You will also be required to prove your identity. A passport can serve for this purpose as well as your proof of citizenship. The most common documentation is a current driver’s license or state issued identification card. If your license was issued by a state other than the one in which you are making your application for passport, you will need a second form of identification. The agency will accept your social security card, your credit card, or your employer identification card. You must also provide a copy of all identification used for the application. This cannot be a duplex copy, or copy with dual sided printing.
You will need two color photographs of yourself. They must be identical and no more than 6 months old. Your appearance cannot vary significantly from the photograph. Each must be 2 x 2, taken against a white or nearly white background, and be a front view of your full face. The space between bottom of chin and top of head cannot be less than 1 inch or greater than 1-3/8 inches. You should dress in your normal manner for the picture, and if that includes a wig or glasses, they should be worn in the photograph. However, do not wear a hat or hair trim that hides the hairline.
There are different requirements for special passports, such as for children or dignitaries. However, most adults who need passports should now have a good idea of what will be required to complete a pass port application. Accurately completing the U.S. passport form forms and providing the proper documentation are the most crucial elements for success.
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