United States Passport Application Form And Procedure   by Ben Pate

in Travel / Travel Tips    (submitted 2012-02-04)

Possessing a passport is required in order to travel to different countries. The State Department's U 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

Complete the form by listing your name, mailing and permanent address, sex, place of birth and birth date. You will also need to state your social security number, marital status and other personal information. Providing your parents' names, birth dates, and places of birth is also required. Review the completed form to make sure all of the information is correct.

Review

The agency processing the form needs to review certain documents to confirm your identity. Gather documents that verify your citizenship. Acceptable documents include a certified birth certificate, school records, hospital records or a previously issued passport. Individuals who aren't citizens can submit either a certificate of naturalization or a certificate of citizenship. Expired or current passports and birth reports from the country of birth are also sufficient.

Identification

Provide proof of your identity with a driver's license or an old passport. Government employee identification cards and military identification can also be submitted. The certificate of citizenship or naturalization is an acceptable form of identification. If you do not have any documentation verifying your identity, you can bring a person who has known you for at least two years to the processing facility. The person will be required to prove his identity and sign an Affidavit of Identifying Witness.

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 fees for first time applicants vary depending on whether you want a book, card or both a book and card. The card lists the same information as the book regarding your physical description, identity, and citizenship. The card is more limited since it is only valid when traveling to certain countries such as Mexico, Canada, and Caribbean territories. The fees cover the expense of processing and executing the book or card. Personal checks, certified checks and money orders are acceptable forms of payment. Any checks or money orders should be issued to the Department of State. Major credit cards can also be used for payment.

Submission

When you are within the country, the forms and supplemental documents can be processed at a expedited U.S. passport agency, acceptance facility or at certain post offices. When you are in a foreign country, the documents need to be submitted to the U. S. Consulate or embassy. The representative at the facility will look over your application and the documents you provided. The representative can also assist you if you have any questions regarding the process. If you need to receive the book or card within a short period of time, set up an appointment at an agency that can facilitate your request.

About the Author

The standard amount of time it takes to process the US passport application is from four to six weeks. When the application is expedited, it usually takes two to three weeks to get the expedited pass port. Failure to plan ahead and submit the application early can result in possible processing delays that will prevent you from traveling as scheduled.