July 4, 2010
Travel The Planet With Your New US Passport
International travel is one of the most exciting experiences someone can have, but it requires a great deal of advance planning. One of the most important things to do before traveling is to apply for a passport or, if a current one is expired, get your new United States passports. These days, it is necessary to have a passport even to travel to Mexico and Canada, so it is a good idea for everyone to have one. It is a simple process, but it must be followed to the letter in order to be successful.
In the case of those getting a passport for the first time, the application process must be completed personally. This can be done at any one of the many passport application offices across the United States. To finalize the application, several pieces of identification and forms are required so it is important to know exactly what will be expected before going to apply.
The three key things that must be presented to submit an application for a passport are a principal form of identification, principal proof of citizenship and the necessary forms. A birth certificate or expired passport can be used to prove citizenship. As a form of primary credentials, it is possible to use a current driver’s license or naturalization certificate. It is also essential to have a copy of the primary form of identification.
There are also a few forms that must be filled out in order to apply for a new passport. These forms can be printed offline and completed prior to visiting the application facility. However, it is very important to remember not to sign the forms until asked to do so by the acceptance agent or else they will not be valid.
If someone has an expired passport and needs to renew it, they may be able to do so by mail. They must submit their expired and undamaged passport with the application. In addition, the previous passport must have been issued within the last fifteen years when the applicant was over sixteen years old and must have their current name. If it does not have the current name, the applicant must be able to document their name change.
The time frame for receiving your passport application form after the application is submitted is typically about five weeks. It can be issued within three weeks if the applicant is willing to pay a fee for faster processing. If an applicant plans on traveling within two weeks or has not received their passport after applying, they must make an appointment to meet with a representative from the passport agency.
Of course, applying for a passport is not free and certain charges do apply. To apply for an adult passport, the fee is seventy-five dollars as well as an execution fee of twenty-five dollars. A child passport costs sixty dollars in addition to the same execution fee. If expedited processing is necessary, there will be an additional sixty dollar charge.
The paperwork and identification that must be collected to get your first time US passport may seem like a bit of a pain, but following the steps carefully is necessary. One missing piece of information could cause the agency not to accept the application, which could potentially destroy upcoming travel plans. A little time in the present will save a lot of trouble in the future and ensure years of amazing travel adventures.
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