Travel and Leisure
US Passport Application – It’s Easy To Apply For A US Passport
February 17, 2010 by drewloupsen · Leave a Comment
If you want to travel overseas, then you need to have a valid US passport to do it. In order to get a US passport, you need to complete a passport application correctly and submit it to the passport issuing authority. The process may seem intimidating, but if done accurately, there is rarely a problem with receiving your passport.
The first thing you need to do in your quest for a passport is to visit a post office and pick up an application form. Alternatively, you can download the application from the Internet and print it out. If you do print it, you need to do so in black ink on white matte paper. The dimensions of the paper that you use must be 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. Glossy paper, other colors or different sized paper will not be accepted by the office.
An essential part of the application is being able to provide proof of US citizenship. Documents that you can give for this include a certified US birth certificate, a citizenship or naturalization certificate. Along with your proof of citizenship you may also have to show other ID such as a valid driver’s license or old passport.
An important part of the application are the passport photos. These are one of the main reasons that passport applications are rejected, so be sure to have yours done correctly. The regulations regarding passport photos state that no headwear or eyewear can be worn in the photo, civilian clothes must be worn (no uniforms), you must be looking straight at the camera and there are specifications about the lighting and sizing of the photos. It is best to have the photos done at a store that specializes in this sort of thing.
If you are planning to travel, then it is best to apply for your passport as soon as possible. Due to a heavy workload, there are times when the issue of passports can be delayed. The issuing agent in the United States recommends applying for your passport around 12 weeks before you intend to travel. This will give you time to correct any potential errors in the passport application too. If you need to, you can pay extra to have the passport issued more rapidly than normal.
When you have sent off your passport application you can monitor its progress via the state department website. Before you send the application form, ensure that you have attached all necessary paperwork and that the forms are completely filled in and accurate. If there are items missing or you have made mistakes, then the application will be knocked back.
Costs involved in getting your passport are as follows: adults $100, children $85 and the fee for an expedited passport is an extra $60. If you are applying for your first US passport, then you cannot mail the forms but need to present them in person as well as filling out form DS-11.
If you take the time to fill in the pass port application carefully and submit any required paper work with the forms, then you are likely to have your passport quickly and with no fuss. It is estimated that around 10 percent of applications have inaccuracies that cause delays, so ensure that yours is correct. Applying for and getting your passport application does not have to be a complex process.
