Passport

A passport is required for travel outside the United States, even to Canada and Mexico. Those wishing to travel outside of the U.S. borders should start the passport application process two months before travelling. Business travelers and others that need to travel immediately can visit the passport office and get their application expedited.

About Passport

A passport is a document that indicates permission granted by a sovereign to its citizen to travel to foreign countries and return and requests foreign governments to allow that citizen to pass freely and safely. The passport is issued by a national government which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth.

Applying for a passport:

Getting a passport for the first time might seem complicated because there are so many forms to fill out and lots of details to provide. But if you want to travel overseas, including the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Panama, you will need a passport to exit and re-enter the United States. Follow this check list and it should all go fine.

As a general rule, U.S. citizens wanting to travel outside the United States will need a passport.

A good rule when applying for passports is to allow plenty of time. The standard time for an application to be processed is six weeks, but delays can occur. Make sure you start the process at least two months before you plan to travel. You can apply for a passport by mail or in person. You will need to apply in person if you are applying for the first time, your passport has been lost or stolen, your passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago, your passport has expired and you were under 16 when it was issued and/or you have changed your name but do not have any legal documentation of the change you will need to apply in person.

There are 13 passport agencies and more than 7,000 application acceptance facilities across the U.S. If you are applying by mail, you can send your forms to the National Passport Center, P.O. Box 371971, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7971.

To apply for your first passport you will need to:

Fill out application form DS-11. This can be obtained from any passport agency application acceptance facility or downloaded from the Department of State Web site (You must not sign this until you are instructed to do so by the passport agent).

Provide proof of U.S. citizenship. This can be any of the following: previous passport, certified birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.

Provide proof of identity. This can be any of the following: previous passport, naturalization certificate, driver's license, government ID, military ID. (If none of these are available, then you can show signature documents (social security card, credit cards, library card) and use a person to vouch for you who has been known to you for two years and who has U.S. citizenship and relevant ID).

Provide two passport photos. These must be 2x2 inches, identical, taken within the past six months, in color, full face and should be of your normal appearance.

Pay the fee. You can pay by credit card, debit card, check, money order or bank check.

Provide your social security number. This is not essential, but you can be fined $500 if you don't provide it.

The standard processing time for passports is six weeks. You can check the status of your application online.

Created by vickiz

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