For different reasons, it seems that people from America tend to travel internationally a lot. Getting a U S passport is essential. It identifies you, the purpose of your travels, and basically allows you to get into other countries as well as your own when you return.
First time applicants for urgent new passport often find this an overwhelming prospect. Many folk are unfamiliar with the course of action of getting this document. The application procedure is in fact very straight forward.
The department of the Bureau of Consular Affairs is in charge if issuing passports. It has a unit called Passport services that does it all. There are only 16 of these offices in the United States. But, you do not have to go to one of these places to get or renew your travel documents. There are about nine thousand places that act like a middle man between you and these 16 offices. They are able to issue and renew passports, but it just takes awhile. The passports now are biometric as only certain machines are able to read certain parts of the document.
Applicants must produce a certified copy of their birth certificates when requesting new travel documents. The old one will suffice when you apply for a renewal. Applicants who were born outside the US need to produce the necessary documents from the Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The obligatory application form can be collected from any US Postal Service facility. US Postal Service offers the option to download forms online.
Different types of application necessitate different forms relevant to your circumstances. Form DS-11 is for first time applicants as well as those whose previous document was issued before they were 16 years of age. If you do not fit into this group, you can mail your application which will be on Form DS-82. Form DS-64 indicates to the US Department of State's Passport Services that your document was lost or stolen.
Depending on what type you are applying for, the fees will differ. You need to also bring along small photos of yourself because some countries as to see them, especially if they have VISA requirements. These photos need to be presented when asked.
Once all the forms are filed and fees are paid, the document will take about five to six weeks to be processed and received by mail. This is just an estimate as it may take longer if there are more people applying during that time. Expedited services can be used if a travel document is needed ASAP. This would generally take about two weeks and costs much more than normal.
First time applicants for urgent new passport often find this an overwhelming prospect. Many folk are unfamiliar with the course of action of getting this document. The application procedure is in fact very straight forward.
The department of the Bureau of Consular Affairs is in charge if issuing passports. It has a unit called Passport services that does it all. There are only 16 of these offices in the United States. But, you do not have to go to one of these places to get or renew your travel documents. There are about nine thousand places that act like a middle man between you and these 16 offices. They are able to issue and renew passports, but it just takes awhile. The passports now are biometric as only certain machines are able to read certain parts of the document.
Applicants must produce a certified copy of their birth certificates when requesting new travel documents. The old one will suffice when you apply for a renewal. Applicants who were born outside the US need to produce the necessary documents from the Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The obligatory application form can be collected from any US Postal Service facility. US Postal Service offers the option to download forms online.
Different types of application necessitate different forms relevant to your circumstances. Form DS-11 is for first time applicants as well as those whose previous document was issued before they were 16 years of age. If you do not fit into this group, you can mail your application which will be on Form DS-82. Form DS-64 indicates to the US Department of State's Passport Services that your document was lost or stolen.
Depending on what type you are applying for, the fees will differ. You need to also bring along small photos of yourself because some countries as to see them, especially if they have VISA requirements. These photos need to be presented when asked.
Once all the forms are filed and fees are paid, the document will take about five to six weeks to be processed and received by mail. This is just an estimate as it may take longer if there are more people applying during that time. Expedited services can be used if a travel document is needed ASAP. This would generally take about two weeks and costs much more than normal.
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The requirements in getting a U S passport from the US Department of State's Passport Services sometimes change over time. You should always stay updated on what needs to be done to get an urgent US passport.