United States passports are given to citizens and non-citizen
nationals of the United States of America. Passports are only issued by
the United States Department of State. They allow a person to be able to
travel anywhere in the World. Within the State Department, the job of
passport issuance is given to the Passport Services Unit. This division
is part of the Bureau of Consular Affairs. All passport issues, such as
passport replacement or passport renewal, can be done on the internet.
Early Passports
During the War of Independence it was American consular officials who granted passports to select citizens of the original thirteen colonies. These first passports were small pieces of paper that contained a description of the bearer, and were only good for three to six months at a time. Benjamin Franklin, who was at the time the minister to France, designed the first American passports to look like that of French passports.
The State Department
The Department of Foreign Affairs was in charge of issuing passports up until 1789. It was that year the name of the department was changed to the Department of State. They were in charge of all foreign relations, and until the mid-nineteenth century, had many domestic duties as well. During World War I having a valid document became a requirement that was put into place by an executive order. However, there was no authority ever given to anyone to enforce that requirement.
Passport Laws
From 1921 to 1941 there was no necessary requirement for a passport under United States law. It was not until World War II (1939-1945) that the Travel Control Act was written. This act made it illegal to enter or vacate the United States without having an issued travel document. This act came at a time when international travel was becoming more mainstream.
Design
The physical design and contents of American travel documents have changed a few times over the years. For example, in 1926 passports had a stiff red cover. Then in 1941 they switched to green covers. In order to celebrate the US bicentennial in 1976 passports were given blue covers. In 1981, America became the very first country to have machine-readable documents. Now, all United States passports have digital photos as well.
Processing Passports
Normally, to obtain a United States document takes four to six weeks. However, there are a few ways to expedite the process of getting one. There are companies able to offer expedition after being registered with the Department of State's National Hand Courier Program. These companies are held to a stringent code of conduct. All of their employees who handle passport applications are required to have full background screenings. In addition, these companies must stick to guidelines to keep a passport applicant's personal information safe.
Early Passports
During the War of Independence it was American consular officials who granted passports to select citizens of the original thirteen colonies. These first passports were small pieces of paper that contained a description of the bearer, and were only good for three to six months at a time. Benjamin Franklin, who was at the time the minister to France, designed the first American passports to look like that of French passports.
The State Department
The Department of Foreign Affairs was in charge of issuing passports up until 1789. It was that year the name of the department was changed to the Department of State. They were in charge of all foreign relations, and until the mid-nineteenth century, had many domestic duties as well. During World War I having a valid document became a requirement that was put into place by an executive order. However, there was no authority ever given to anyone to enforce that requirement.
Passport Laws
From 1921 to 1941 there was no necessary requirement for a passport under United States law. It was not until World War II (1939-1945) that the Travel Control Act was written. This act made it illegal to enter or vacate the United States without having an issued travel document. This act came at a time when international travel was becoming more mainstream.
Design
The physical design and contents of American travel documents have changed a few times over the years. For example, in 1926 passports had a stiff red cover. Then in 1941 they switched to green covers. In order to celebrate the US bicentennial in 1976 passports were given blue covers. In 1981, America became the very first country to have machine-readable documents. Now, all United States passports have digital photos as well.
Processing Passports
Normally, to obtain a United States document takes four to six weeks. However, there are a few ways to expedite the process of getting one. There are companies able to offer expedition after being registered with the Department of State's National Hand Courier Program. These companies are held to a stringent code of conduct. All of their employees who handle passport applications are required to have full background screenings. In addition, these companies must stick to guidelines to keep a passport applicant's personal information safe.
America is also a country that permits dual nationality. It is
therefore acceptable, under law, to possess and use a foreign passport
in addition to a United States passport. To apply for a passport, or for
a passport renewal,
you can go to local post offices, public libraries or clerks of court.
It is quickest, however, to take care of passport issues online. You can
even get a children's passport on the State Department's website.
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