The procedure of obtaining a passport is influenced by many
different factors. Knowledge of these factors helps in understanding how
long does it take to obtain a passport. The following article deals
with the basic information on this topic.
The passport is a document that certifies an individual for international travel. Identity and nationality are the important things which need to be certified before a person receives his/her passport. The points to be checked in order to certify a particular person are the date of birth, name, place of birth and sex. Different types of passports are the ordinary, official, diplomatic, collective, emergency, family, internal, alien's, laissez and the camouflage passport. The passport is a document that verifies identity of a person while a visa acts as an entry pass for traveling to a particular nation. Let us find more on the topic of obtaining a passport.
How to Get a Passport?
The passport is a document that certifies an individual for international travel. Identity and nationality are the important things which need to be certified before a person receives his/her passport. The points to be checked in order to certify a particular person are the date of birth, name, place of birth and sex. Different types of passports are the ordinary, official, diplomatic, collective, emergency, family, internal, alien's, laissez and the camouflage passport. The passport is a document that verifies identity of a person while a visa acts as an entry pass for traveling to a particular nation. Let us find more on the topic of obtaining a passport.
How to Get a Passport?
Following steps explain the procedure to obtain a US passport.
The first task in the process of getting a passport is that of downloading the application and keeping your photographs ready.
Any person above 16 years of age can apply for a passport. Those who are under the age of 16 years would require a notarized permission in order to apply for the same.
People who are applying for the first time, those who don't have the possession of their expired passports, who had been issued passports 16 years ago or those who have lost their passports must apply in person.
The passport office also helps expedite the procedure if one is willing to pay more. In such cases, one needs to send express mail along with prepaid postage and an envelope.
The completion of formalities, i.e. the signatures should be done in the presence of passport officials only.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Passport?
Answer to the above question is based on different factors like volume of applications, season and many other factors. It may take several weeks to get a passport, depending on the above mentioned factors. However, ideally it takes about 5 - 6 weeks to obtain this document. The procedure of obtaining a passport has 4 - 5 steps involved, which requires time and it might result in extension and delays. The lengthy procedure of obtaining a passport involves completing and submitting the application form (DS-11), providing evidence of citizenship, identification, paying fees and providing photographs. During peak periods and seasonal times, the government issues notifications to apply in advance for the passport. One should keep an eye on the happenings and current events to avoid hassles and delays in the process of getting passports. Application for the passport should be submitted well in advance before the need arises. A person living in the US should apply for a passport to the US Passport Agency. One can check the processing times of that particular season or period on the website of the agency in order to plan properly in advance. Nowadays, a large number of people apply for passports. Time required to obtain this document can therefore, extend from a normal 5 - 6 weeks to as long as 8 weeks.
One should be prompt and up-to-date in dealing with the documents. One should keep a watch on the happenings and present situations, i.e. the number of people applying for a passport and other influencing factors to speed up the process.
