Many people hesitate to apply for a passport because they think
the process is too difficult, but it is actually not a complicated
process at all. If you take the time to learn about a few facts before
going to apply for your passport you will have a much easier time. The
Internet can be a great tool that will help you to locate a passport
office in your neighborhood. Passport applications must be submitted in
person along with fees and verification information. Take the time to
gather this information before traveling to your local office.
The
first thing to be sure of is that you have the $120.00 required for the
passport application and issuance fee. You will only have to pay $95 if
your application is denied. After your passport is issued, making
changes to it is usually free of charge. Some small changes do require a
small fee, but changes made within the first year after issuance
normally do not require a fee.
There are many different ways that
you can go about applying for a passport and there are different fees
depending upon what your needs are. Most people simply apply at the
local post office or at a passport office near them. This is a
convenient and affordable way to apply for a passport or to make changes
to an existing passport. The local post office or passport office will
have all of the forms you need.
Many cities and towns have only
post offices to process these applications, but some have separate
passport offices as well. Government websites give a list of these
locations and will even help you to determine which is the closest to
you. The passport website will also walk you through exactly what will
be needed to apply for a new passport.
It is necessary that you
apply for your passport in person because your identity will have to be
verified. Citizenship will have to be verified as well and the applicant
will be required to provide proof of naturalization, a birth
certificate, social security card, or proof of birth abroad. For
applicants that cannot provide this proof, the government will verify
citizenship, but this will cost an additional $60. These fees will be
added to the application and issuance fees.
Picture identification
will also be required at the time of application. A driver's license or
military ID will work to prove identity. A government employee ID is
another accepted form of identification. There may be alternative ways
to prove identity if these items are not available.
It is
absolutely imperative that photocopies of all identifying documents be
submitted with the application and required fees. Your application
cannot be processed without these copies of your documentation. It is
important that these copies are at least actual size or larger. Scaled
down copies will not be accepted.
There are numerous steps involved when applying for a passport, but with a little knowledge the process can be quick and easy. Just start by using resources available to you to locate a passport office
near you. There should be many available and at least one right in your
city or town. Bring along the ID and documentation you need as well as
fees and the process should be quite easy for you.
