United States Passport Application Document And Procedure
Possessing a passport is required in order to travel to different countries. The State Department’s passport application forms are available online. Applicants must carefully review and follow the directions on the form to avoid unnecessary processing delays. Initially applying for a passport entails completing the DS 11 form and providing various documents needed to verify your identity.
Information
Answer the questions on the form. List your name, social security number, address, birth date, where you were born, and parental information. If any of the information is incorrect it could increase the amount of time needed to process the form. Review any necessary documents to verify that everything stated in the form is accurate.
Review
In order to start the application process, you need to present documents that verify your birth of origin and nationality. Certified birth certificates, medical records, an old passport, or school records are sufficient to prove nationality. If you are a citizen of a foreign country, you can provide certificates of citizenship or a certificate of naturalization. Non-U. S. Citizens can also present birth records or passports issued by their country.
Documentation
Submitting an old passport book/card or driver’s license are acceptable ways to verify your identity. Military identification or government employee ID Cards are also permissible. Non-citizens can also show their certificates of citizenship or naturalization to confirm their identity. If you don’t have the necessary documents available to prove your identity, you can bring an identifying witness to the place that will process your application. The identifying witness must be someone who has known you for at least two years and have their own form of identification. The identifying witness will be asked to sign an affidavit.
Photos
A current color photograph will be needed for your book or card. The picture needs to be an unobstructed full view of the front of your face. Postal offices and other locations provide standard sized pictures that fit the State Department’s requirements. Wearing a hat, scarf, sunglasses or other accessories that block the face are only permissible if they are worn for religious or medical purposes.
Fees
The State Department charges different processing fees for a passport book and a passport card. The major difference between a book and card is that a card can only be used when traveling to Caribbean countries, Mexico or Canada. A book is a valid from of documentation when traveling to any country. The book and card will have your color photograph and list a physical description, your name, and place of citizenship. Major credit cards are an acceptable form of payment. The fees can also be paid by using cashier’s checks, traveler’s checks, personal check or money order. The checks or money orders should be payable to the Department of State.
Agencies
Passport agencies, acceptance facilities and post offices are places where the expedited USA Passport paperwork can be submitted. If you are not in the country, you can go to the U. S. Embassy or U. S. Consulate to administer your paperwork. The representative at the facility will thoroughly review the application and supplemental materials to make sure all of the necessary information has been provided. The agencies allow individuals to set up appointments when a book or card is needed within a particularly short period of time.