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 is not
needed, a passport is pretty inexpensive to obtain. Here is a quick
rundown of some passport requirements in the United States.
Any first time applicant will have to make a personal appearance at a government passport office. There are also several other situations that will require the person to go to the office in person. Minors will always have to be presented at the office and anyone that is trying to replace a lost or stolen document will have to go to the passport office.
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 agency 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.
One of the documents that are required is proof of citizenship. For many people, this is just their birth certificate. If the applicant is an immigrant, they will need their official immigration and naturalization papers. These documents are a must and nothing will be processed unless they are present.
Some people like to get cute with things like their birth certificate and laminate them so that they do not get ruined. This is absolutely unacceptable and they will send anyone who walks in with laminated documents right out the door. It must not be covered in any way and must also have the raised seal on it. Also, all documents must be photocopied.
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 parent or parents that are with the child will also have to have the appropriate ID in order for the minor's application to be accepted. Everything will be checked, so make sure that everything is valid and current. The best bet is to bring their current passport as it is the be all and end all of documentation. Also, 2 passport photos must be presented with all of the documentation for the applicant.
Any first time applicant will have to make a personal appearance at a government passport office. There are also several other situations that will require the person to go to the office in person. Minors will always have to be presented at the office and anyone that is trying to replace a lost or stolen document will have to go to the passport office.
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 agency 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.
One of the documents that are required is proof of citizenship. For many people, this is just their birth certificate. If the applicant is an immigrant, they will need their official immigration and naturalization papers. These documents are a must and nothing will be processed unless they are present.
Some people like to get cute with things like their birth certificate and laminate them so that they do not get ruined. This is absolutely unacceptable and they will send anyone who walks in with laminated documents right out the door. It must not be covered in any way and must also have the raised seal on it. Also, all documents must be photocopied.
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 parent or parents that are with the child will also have to have the appropriate ID in order for the minor's application to be accepted. Everything will be checked, so make sure that everything is valid and current. The best bet is to bring their current passport as it is the be all and end all of documentation. Also, 2 passport photos must be presented with all of the documentation for the applicant.
One of the reasons that acquiring a passport takes so long is
because of the all of the documents that are needed to get approved.
Sometimes a birth certificate cannot be found and a new one must be
ordered. It is unlikely that current passport photos are lying around
and this means another trip. However, as long as all passport requirements are met and the photos are current (within 6 months), everything should go smoothly at the passport office.
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