Information Regarding Obtaining USA Passports
When visiting a foreign country, USA passports are required for American citizens.
At that time, it is stamped with a date that records how long you may visit.
You must carry it to prove your identity whenever requested by the country's authorities.
It must also be shown when returning home.
Where Are You Going? This requirement is most noted with Canada where, for a number of years, all that was required was a driver's license or birth certificate for identification.
Due to the many terrorist acts throughout the world, this has changed and a passport card or regular passport is required when entering and leaving that country.
Fees When obtaining a passport for the first time, it must take place in front of an authorized agent.
These agents are found at designated locations such as the post office, government offices and other places.
Minors under 16 years of age, minors aged 16 & 17 and diplomats, no-fee passports and applications from outside the U.
S.
have special passport requirements.
There are two ways the document is issued.
These include standard processing, which requires 4 to 6 weeks, and expedited which takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Expedited requires an extra $60 fee.
First Time Passports If applying for a passport for the first time, there is an application form available online or in the agent's office which must be filled out.
This application can only be signed when it is presented with the other required papers.
At the same time, evidence of citizenship, a Social Security card and another piece of identification must be presented.
A passport photo is also required and can sometimes be obtained at the authorized application's location.
Evidence Of Citizenship The required evidence of U.
S.
Citizenship can be a certified birth certificate (US or birth abroad), a previously issued undamaged passport, naturalization or citizenship certificate.
There are special requirements if applying from outside the country.
If you already have a passport that is expiring, there are other procedures possible.
Passport Renewal For people who already have a passport, it is possible to renew by mail.
Your current passport, undamaged which was issued at age 16 or older and within the past 15 years, must be surrendered together with an application form and supporting documents.
It should be noted that if you are in arrears on child support payments, a passport will not be issued.
Lost Or Stolen Passports When people visit abroad, sometimes this very important document is stolen or lost.
If this happens to you, the first step is to go to the nearest U.
S.
Consulate or embassy to obtain a limited validity paper to use until a regular one can be obtained.
There are special procedures required and it can take weeks to obtain a standard issue to return to this country.
At that time, it is stamped with a date that records how long you may visit.
You must carry it to prove your identity whenever requested by the country's authorities.
It must also be shown when returning home.
Where Are You Going? This requirement is most noted with Canada where, for a number of years, all that was required was a driver's license or birth certificate for identification.
Due to the many terrorist acts throughout the world, this has changed and a passport card or regular passport is required when entering and leaving that country.
Fees When obtaining a passport for the first time, it must take place in front of an authorized agent.
These agents are found at designated locations such as the post office, government offices and other places.
Minors under 16 years of age, minors aged 16 & 17 and diplomats, no-fee passports and applications from outside the U.
S.
have special passport requirements.
There are two ways the document is issued.
These include standard processing, which requires 4 to 6 weeks, and expedited which takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Expedited requires an extra $60 fee.
First Time Passports If applying for a passport for the first time, there is an application form available online or in the agent's office which must be filled out.
This application can only be signed when it is presented with the other required papers.
At the same time, evidence of citizenship, a Social Security card and another piece of identification must be presented.
A passport photo is also required and can sometimes be obtained at the authorized application's location.
Evidence Of Citizenship The required evidence of U.
S.
Citizenship can be a certified birth certificate (US or birth abroad), a previously issued undamaged passport, naturalization or citizenship certificate.
There are special requirements if applying from outside the country.
If you already have a passport that is expiring, there are other procedures possible.
Passport Renewal For people who already have a passport, it is possible to renew by mail.
Your current passport, undamaged which was issued at age 16 or older and within the past 15 years, must be surrendered together with an application form and supporting documents.
It should be noted that if you are in arrears on child support payments, a passport will not be issued.
Lost Or Stolen Passports When people visit abroad, sometimes this very important document is stolen or lost.
If this happens to you, the first step is to go to the nearest U.
S.
Consulate or embassy to obtain a limited validity paper to use until a regular one can be obtained.
There are special procedures required and it can take weeks to obtain a standard issue to return to this country.