U.S. Passport Application – Apply For A United States Passport Today
If you want to travel overseas, then you need to have a valid US passport to do it. In order to get a US passport, you need to complete a passport application correctly and submit it to the passport issuing authority. The process may seem intimidating, but if done accurately, there is rarely a problem with receiving your passport.
The first thing to do when you want to get your US passport is to visit a post office for the application form or download it online. If you choose to print the form you must use black ink on white matte paper. The dimensions of the paper must be 8 1/2 X 11 inches.
An essential part of the application is being able to provide proof of US citizenship. Documents that you can give for this include a certified US birth certificate, a citizenship or naturalization certificate. Along with your proof of citizenship you may also have to show other ID such as a valid driver’s license or old passport.
Along with your passport application you will also need to provide two acceptable passport photos that have been taken within the last six months. There are strict requirements about what is passable when it comes to these photos. You should not have any type of head covering; if you wear glasses, then you will need to remove them; civilian clothes only and the lighting and centering of the shot also need to be just right.
If you are planning to travel, then it is best to apply for your passport as soon as possible. Due to a heavy workload, there are times when the issue of passports can be delayed. The issuing agent in the United States recommends applying for your passport around 12 weeks before you intend to travel. This will give you time to correct any potential errors in the passport application too. If you need to, you can pay extra to have the passport issued more rapidly than normal.
Once you have presented your passport application, you are able to track its progress online through the state department’s website. However, before handing in your application ensure that all facts, details, payments and photos are exactly right. If there are errors on the forms, then the application will be rejected. Once you have your passport, it is valid for ten years.
Costs involved with US passports are – adult passport $100, child passport $85. The additional fee to have the passport issued more quickly is $60. If you are applying for a US passport for the first time, then you will also need to fill in the DS-11 form with your application.
If you are careful about filling in the correct information on your U.S. passport application, attaching correct passport photos and you pay the correct fee, then you will not have trouble getting your US passport. The United States passport issuing body estimates that around 10 percent of applicants make errors on their forms, which slows down the process considerably.
