You need a US passport if you want to travel to a foreign country. It’s also a valuable piece of personal identification. You’ll learn how to get a United States passport in the five simple steps described below. This process is good for any adult who is applying for a new passport, but not for getting one renewed.
Forms
New encompasses a broader scope of circumstances than just getting one for the first time. You are also considered to be applying for a new one if your last one was lost, damaged, or stolen. You also fall into this category if your last one was issued more than 15 years earlier. If you’ve changed your name since you last received one, but can’t legally document your name change, these application rules also apply to you.
Federal Forms
The federal form you need to submit is the DS-11. You can download a copy off the Internet. The instructions on how to fill this form out are on the form itself. It’s recommended that you fill it out as completely as possible. It should go without saying that you should also fill it out truthfully. There’s a different form for renewing United States passport.
Forms Of ID
With your DS-11 form, you’ll have to show proof of your identity. While you’ll be able to use this travel document as ID once you get it, you can’t use this process to establish your identity. You’ll have to show the government first that you are exactly who you say you are before you can get further additional documentation. The easiest way to prove your identity is by including a copy of what’s called primary proof of identity. This category includes a current military ID, driver’s license, naturalization certificate, or any current government issued identification.
Citizenship
The next critical piece of documentation you’ll need to submit is proof of your US citizenship. If you’re a naturalized citizen, your naturalization certificate can serve as both proof of identity and citizenship. If you’re a naturally born US citizen, a certified, long form birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or citizenship certificate will prove your citizenship.
Costs
Finally, you’ll need to pay the application fee and have an acceptable photo to round out your application packet. The fee you’ll have to pay can vary based on your exact situation. You can consult an online fee schedule to determine what your cost will be. As for your photo, it can’t be more than six months old. It also must be a close of your full face, in color and exactly two by two inches in size.
Sending Application
Now that you have all the required pieces of your application packet, you’ll need to deliver it to an authorized US passport office. Don’t worry, there are so many all over the country that you doubtlessly have one near you. You can find full listing of these offices online. They are most often located in popular public buildings, such as libraries, post offices or courthouses. Once you know which office you’ll visit, call it before just walking through the door. Some offices will only accept applications by appointment.
That’s all there is to it. Now that you know how to get a pass port, you can get the process started. There can be nothing so valuable as having proof of your US citizenship that will be accepted the world over. There’s a different process for renewing pasport.
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