When making plans to visit a foreign country you will need to get
a passport. Passports are legal documents that are provided by the
government as proof of residency for that country. Passports typically
contain a photograph and vital information. They will also have several
blank pages that are intended for the stamps of foreign countries.
Applying for a passport is a process that involves several essential
steps to get the document issued.
Applying for a passport requires
having your personal proof of identification on hand. This proof can be
a state issued driver's license or a state issued photo ID. You will
also need to have a copy of your birth certificate. With these documents
you can begin the process.
In the case that you cannot locate a
copy of your birth certificate, you will need to obtain one before
applying for a passport. Obtaining your birth certificate can be done in
person, requested over the phone, or via the Internet. You may also
mail a request to Office of Vital Records in the county in which you
were born.
When have obtained your birth certificate, you can then
continue with the process. If you have applied before, you can renew on
line. However, if this is your first time applying for a passport, you
will need to do it in person.
When applying online you simply need
to access the website for the U. S. State Department. When applying
online it is a good idea to refrain from signing the application until
it has been approved. Doing otherwise could result in someone else
accessing your passport.
When applying for a passport you will
need to go to your local post office, or circuit clerk's office.
Remember to bring your birth certificate, your ID and a 2 inch x 2 inch
recent photo. To obtain the photo you can have it taken in most places
that develop film, such as a local pharmacy.
Once you have arrived
at the post office or court clerk's office, you need to present your
identification and photos to an agent. This agent will examine the
material to make sure it is authentic and that it is indeed you and then
based on this information they may approve the application. You can
then sign the application at this time. Now you simply need to wait for
the passport to arrive at your home via the postal service.
This
process may take up to six months, from applying to receiving it in the
mail. Considering how long this process can be, you should start the
procedure well in advance of your planned trip. If for some reason you
need to have this returned quickly, you can pay an expediting fee, which
should reduce the waiting time considerably.
You may also contact your Congressman's office if you need to
have the process expedited. Your passport will be good for 15 years
before it needs to be renewed. When renewing a passport you do not need to go through the process of applying for a passport, but simply need to request an updated passport via the mail.
