Aug 24 2010
You Will Need A First Time United States Passport To Travel Outside Of The Country
International voyages can be among the most exciting adventures, but they require careful planning in order to go smoothly. It is impossible to set foot outside of the country without your first time U.S. passport or replacing one that has expired. As a result of travel laws from the past few years, US citizens cannot even travel to Mexico or Canada if they do not have a valid passport. The application process is quite simple, but if it is not completed the right way, the application will be denied.
In the event that someone is applying for their first passport, they must apply in person. To do this, visit one of the various application facilities across the country. There are numerous pieces of paperwork and ID that must be presented to complete the process so it is best to be prepared when going to the passport office.
The three most important things to have when applying for a passport are the required forms, a form of primary identification and primary evidence of US citizenship. For proof of citizenship, it is acceptable to present an expired passport or birth certificate, among other things. Primary identification could include a valid drivers license or current military ID. Applicants should also come prepared with a photocopy of their primary identification.
There are multiple pieces of paperwork that must be submitted with an application for a new passport. They can be printed in advance from the website for the Department of State. However, applicants must remember that if they sign the forms before they are in the presence of an acceptance agent, they will not be valid.
If a passport is expired and needs to be renewed, that might be able to be done by mail. With the application, it is necessary to submit the expired passport, which must be undamaged. Also, in order to renew via mail, the previous passport must have been issued in the last fifteen years and when the holder was at least sixteen years old. It also must have the holders current name and, if it does not, the application must include proof of name change.
The time needed to process a passport application is usually between four and six weeks. For an extra charge, it can be received within three weeks. If someone is going to travel within the next two weeks, they need to make an appointment with the passport agency to process their request. If the application has already gone in but the U S passport has not been received, the applicant should contact a representative from the Passport Information Center.
Of course, there is a fee to apply for a passport. An adult passport costs seventy-five dollars in addition to a twenty-five dollar execution fee. A passport for a child costs sixty dollars as well as the execution fee. If a passport needs to be ordered with expedited processing, it will incur another sixty dollar fee.
The paperwork and identification that must be collected to get your new passports may seem like a bit of a pain, but following the steps carefully is necessary. One missing piece of information could cause the agency not to accept the application, which could potentially destroy upcoming travel plans. A little time in the present will save a lot of trouble in the future and ensure years of amazing travel adventures.
No related posts.