A passport is a document that allows entry in and out of
countries. It is applied for in the applicant's country of origin, and
acts as a travel pass. No one can travel in and out of foreign lands
without proper documentation. This is why passports are very important.
There are many resources out there that explain how to obtain a passport
and the process and requirements that one must go through.
These
resources are very important when it comes to ensuring the proper
processing and delivery of a passport.
Qualifications
There
are certain qualifications that accompany the application of a
passport. These include proving citizenship, providing passport photos,
as well as proper identification. It is essential that all theses
requirements are in place before attempting to apply for a passport.
Application Form
Passport
application forms can be found at any passport service agency, they can
also be located online. They are referred to as DS-11 Forms. This is
the essential document when it comes to applying for a passport. When
filling the application out be careful to not allow any errors.
Photos
Passport
photos must accompany the application forms. The photos must be recent
as they will go on your passport and be used to identify you, as you.
You will need two identical full color passports. They are casual head
shots and you should not be smiling.
Identification
Because
a US passport is used as identification as a United States citizen,
proving that you are, in fact, a citizen is a very crucial aspect to the
application process. Applications require documentation stating birth
of origin, such as a birth certificate. It must be an official copy and
not a photo copy. If you are not in possession of an original, be sure
to apply for that in time to submit it with your passport application.
Name Consistency
All
documentation provided for the passport application must contain the
same name. Many people go by perhaps their middle name, or their maiden
name, when there identification states something else. Because a
passport is an official document it must contain your legal name.
Therefore all supporting identifying documents must contain your legal
name.
Fees
There is always a fee when it
comes to applying for a passport. These fees depend upon the agency by
which you are applying. Private agencies tend to have steeper prices,
but they can assure your document faster than federal agencies. Be sure
to call ahead and see what services are offered and at what cost.
The resources that explain how to obtain a passport
will be invaluable when it comes to the information they provide. They
also might be able to submit an application for you. In addition to new
passports many agencies now have online venues when applying for
passport renewals, adding passport pages,
or even passport name changes. These online services make obtaining
passports easier than ever. As long as all documentation is filled out
properly and all other requirements are met a passport should be easy to
obtain.
