By watching some of the older movies like Titanic, it would give one reason to believe that obtaining a passport is something that only the rich and well off were entitled to. The reality of it is that everyone should have a passport and as long as expedited service isn’t needed, a passport is pretty affordable to obtain. Here’s a quick rundown of some USA passport requirements in the United States.
If the applicant has never had a passport or their last passport was issued over 15 years ago, get ready to head to the local office. Minors also always have to be present, as well as their parents. Anyone that has lost their passport of suffered the theft of their passport will also have to go in person to get a new passport.
The one form that everyone has to fill out is the DS-11. In addition to this form, several other pieces of documents must be presented in person. The main reason for this is that the passport bureau needs to check ID and make sure that the signature matches the documents that are presented. For this reason, do not sign anything until you actually get to the passport office. The forms can be filled out, but nothing should be signed until an agent is present.
Come to the visit prepared with evidence of U.S. Citizenship. It is a required part of the interview process and all of the documents will be given back to the owner. Several items can be used a proof of citizenship with a certified or officially stamped birth certificate being the most common for first time participants. Other acceptable paperwork includes a certification of birth from a Consulate, a certificate of citizenship or a naturalization certificate. Submitting a social security number is also a necessity.
A birth certificate to be considered as being certified must have an embossed or raised seal from the registrar in the say or county of birth, along with that person’s signature. It must also have been filed within one year of the birth date on the certificate. Some shorter, or what are known as abstract versions of the certificates might not meet passport requirements. Be prepared too, to have a photocopy of both sides of the document that can be given to the agent.
When a minor is trying to get a passport, they must also have all of the above documents and the parents must accompany the child. If the parents are no longer married, then a consent form that has both parents signatures must be presented in order for the child to be able to get a passport. If one parent has sole custody and the other parent has no visitation rights, then only that parent need be present.
The parents will also need to have current ID with them. This is another must have as the agent can’t process the documents for the minor without the parents checking out first. If the parents have a passport, this is the best piece of ID that they can use. In addition to all of this documentation, two passport photos will also be needed for each applicant.
A passport can take some time to get, but this is mostly in part to the time that it takes to get everything together. As long as everything checks out, the process can go fairly swift at the us passport office, especially if they work off of appointments. Knowing the U.S. passport requirements and having everything in order can make this a pretty quick day for the applicant.
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