Travel

Getting a passport is not something that everyone considers. This is a mistake as a passport is great to have even if the person never leaves the United States. It is one of the most powerful personal identification documents that can ever be had and because of the length it takes to obtain one, it is best to have it just in case. Before heading to the local passport office, make sure you know the current passport requirements.

If the applicant has never had a passport or their last passport was issued over 15 years ago, get ready to head to the local office. Minors also always have to be present, as well as their parents. Anyone that has lost their passport of suffered the theft of their passport will also have to go in person to get a new passport.

Form DS-11 is the Holy Grail when it comes to meeting passport requirements. This is the document that contains all of the applicant’s key identifying information. While it is entirely permissible and advisable to complete the document before hitting the post office, do not, under any circumstances, sign it before appearing it person. One of the purposes of the in-person visit is to do a live signature in front of an official US government agent.

Come to the visit prepared with evidence of U.S. Citizenship. It is a required part of the interview process and all of the documents will be given back to the owner. Several items can be used a proof of citizenship with a certified or officially stamped birth certificate being the most common for first time participants. Other acceptable paperwork includes a certification of birth from a Consulate, a certificate of citizenship or a naturalization certificate. Submitting a social security number is also a necessity.

Anyone that has had their passport laminated for protection will have to get another one. This is absolutely forbidden and basically makes the birth certificate useless. The agent must also be able to see the raised stamp on the birth certificate. If that stamp in not present, they will send the applicant on their way to get another one. Everything will also have to be photocopied prior to arriving at the passport office.

A minor will always have to get their passport in person. All above documentation must be brought with them along with their parents. If the parents are divorced and sharing custody, they must both still be present. The only situations where only one parent need be present are when there is sole custody or a parent is deceased.

The parents will also need to have current ID with them. This is another must have as the agent cannot process the documents for the minor without the parents checking out first. If the parents have a passport, this is the best piece of ID that they can use. In addition to all of this documentation, two passport photos will also be needed for every applicant.

A passport can take some time to get, but this is mostly in part to the time that it takes to get everything together. As long as everything checks out, the process can go fairly quick at the USA passport office, especially if they work off of appointments. Knowing the U S passport requirements and having everything in order can make this a pretty quick day for the applicant.

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Tags: American passport requirements, New passport requirements, Passport requirements, U.S. passport requirements