Where to Apply for a Passport in the United States?

A US passport is the most important document that is required if you want to make frequent international trips. The first and the most important thing that you should do as soon as you become a US citizen is to apply for passport. This is because only US citizens have the privilege of holding US passports.

All you need to do is complete the passport application, attach all the needed documentation for proof and submit it at the any Passport Acceptance Facility. You have the choice of getting your passport through routine or expedited service based on your travel plans.

Apply for passport in an easy way

Information regarding as to where to apply for passport is provided by the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Passport Services/Customer Service. This has designated many post offices, clerks of court, public libraries and other state, county, township, and municipal government offices with the authority to receive passport applications on its own behalf. Since there are many Passport Acceptance facilities in the US, you need to find the one that is nearest to your place of residence. Just follow these steps and you will be able find out the nearest location within a short time. 1. Log on to the US Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page, 2, Search using your zip code, state or city, 3 once you enter your search option, you will be directed to a page that has a list of all the facilities that are in your area along with details like whether it accessible for handicapped people, it has photo on-site or nearby, you can select the one that is nearest you by clicking on that specific facility's name.

For Expedited requirements

In case you have to travel within a short notice, say, within 14 days you need a passport to get a foreign visa; then you are eligible to make an appointment with any Passport Agency and request an expedited service. You may be required to furnish proof of your travel along with the itinerary at some passport agencies. The following Regional Passport Agencies do not require you to provide them with your travel plans when you apply for passport - Arkansas, Buffalo, Colorado, Detroit, El Paso, Honolulu, Minneapolis, San Diego, Seattle and Vermont.

For Emergencies - For life threatening situations or life/death emergencies that require you to travel immediately, a special service called the Will call service can be used.

The above mentioned details are applicable only if you are planning to apply for passport when you are in the US. In case you are outside the US, you need to go to the respective US Embassy or Consulate and act according to their instructions. This is because the process may vary from Embassy to Embassy. Now that you have found out the nearest location to apply for passport, completing the application process is the next step.

Passport Day of 2012 in the US

March 10, 2012 has been marked as the Passport Day in the US for this year. You may wonder as to what is so special about this day. You can apply for passport without having made a prior appointment. Just go to a Regional Passport Agency in the US on this day, which falls on a Saturday, and file in your application. You can opt for the standard routine service or go for the expedited processing on this day. So if you are still without a US passport, this is your day!

If you are interested in learning more about How to Renew Green Card, Green Card Application, Permanent Resident Card, Passport Application, US Passport Renewal, Naturalization Application, Tourist Visa and other type of US Visas, visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Direct Services at http://www.ImmigrationDirect.com.

By Al Anthony Gablinez

10 Tips to Prevent Passport Problems

You might be required to go abroad for personal or official purposes and find the need to have a passport. Passports are the kind of thing to be handled with great care. Problems like passport rejection, delays or loss of passport can arise.

Researching how to prevent such issues can help you during this time. Here are a few useful tips that will provide additional confidence and guidance in the passport application process:

1. While applying for a new passport, make sure you apply at least four months before your departure date.

2. Choose the right application form and carefully fill it out. Each company has their own specific form, double check for any missing information or spelling mistakes. This may lead to a delay or rejection of your passport application. If you need the passport as soon as possible, consult with a passport expediting services to get fast your passport processed more quickly (even under one week in some circumstances).

3. Check whether you possess all the requirements, such as a proof of identity or birth certificate. 

Photocopies of these documents are not accepted.

4. Never forget to sign all the necessary fields in the passport application form and your check.

5. Always take two copies of your passport and photos. Give one copy to your spouse or a friend who can be easily called during an emergency situation. If it's possible, scan those things and make it accessible through the internet. This helps you a lot during emergencies abroad.

6. It's good to ask for a 48-page passport if you are a frequent flyer. This allows you to fly wherever you want without getting another passport. When your passport arrives, verify all the details to be correct and sign all the pages in the passport where your signature is required.

7. Most countries demand a passport even for entrance to places in the country. Ensure that you have taken the required documents with you wherever you go while you are abroad.

8. Once you reach the destination, keep your passport in a safe place. Always try to carry it with you. 

You can keep it in a money belt or within your coat pocket. Avoid leaving it in your baggage, backpack, car or your hotel room. Your passport will be of utmost important if you commit an honest mistake due to being unaware of the state policy. You can get out of those situations with your nation's identity, the passport.

9. If you are traveling with your family members, don't have one individual keep the entire family's passports. It is better for each person to carry their own passport.

10. If you lose your passport, immediately inform the authorities about the missing document. By keeping a passport copy and extra photos with you, they can help you get a temporary passport for your return.

Note: Even if your passport expires, it should be kept safe and secure, as it will serve as proof for your passport renewal. The above points will help you from encountering passport problems.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7525232

How to Renew a U.S. Passport in North Carolina

All persons traveling by air, land or sea outside of the United States must show proof of citizenship to re-enter the country. Presenting a U.S. passport is one form of acceptable identification. North Carolina residents can renew their passport by mail or in person if it has expired. Everyone is not eligible to renew their passport by mail, however. Individuals must renew their passport in person if their previous passport is lost, stolen or damaged. You must also apply for a passport renewal in person if your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago or your name has changed and you're are unable to legally document the name change.

Things You'll Need

1. U.S. passport

2. DS-82 form

3. DS-11 form (renewing in person)

4. 2 passport photos

5. A marriage certificate or court order

6. Passport fee

Renew a U.S. Passport by Mail in North Carolina

1. Determine if you're eligible to renew your passport by mail. You can renew your passport by mail if your original passport is undamaged, was issued within the last 15 years and you were 16 or older when it was first issued. Your passport is also renewable by mail if your original passport was issued in your current name or you can legally show proof of your name change. If you meet this criteria, continue to step 2. If you don't meet this criteria you must renew your passport in person.

2. Complete a DS-82 form and print it out. These forms can be found on the U.S. Dept. of State's website. Those without Internet access can go to a local passport acceptance facility to get an application. In North Carolina, these facilities include local libraries, post offices, state and municipal government offices. The Bailey Post Office in Bailey, N.C. and the Mint Hill Station in Chapel Hill, N.C. are examples of two passport acceptance facilities located in North Carolina.

3. Sign and date your application. This section is on the first page of your application. Submitting your application without a signature could delay your application from being processed.

4. Mail your completed application and additional documentation to the address listed on the form. Applicants must send in their recent passport, two passport photos, any applicable fees and a marriage certificate or court order if your name has changed. It takes approximately four to six weeks to process applications with standard delivery. Those who choose to spend the extra money to expedite their application will receive it within two to three weeks.

Renew a U.S. Passport In Person in North Carolina

1. Locate a passport acceptance facility in North Carolina. It would also be wise to find an acceptance facility that offers passport photographs on site. The U.S. Department of State website provides a great research tool to help individuals find acceptance facilities in their area, with additional search criteria to help customize their search results.

2. Complete and print the DS-11 form. Do not sign the application until you're instructed to do so by the acceptance agent. Bring the completed form with you to your appointment. This form can be found on the U.S. Department of State website.

3. Show proof of U.S. citizenship. Applicants must show evidence of citizenship by showing one of the following: a certified birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad or certification of birth, a naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship.

4. Present a form of identification. A naturalization certificate, valid driver's license, a current government ID or a current military ID are all acceptable forms of identification.

5. Provide two passport photographs and pay the applicable passport fees. Sign and date the application when instructed to do so by the acceptance agent.

Author,

Stacey Price

How to Get a Passport in Georgia

Before your international vacation or business trip, whether it’s a flight to the United Kingdom or a family cruise to the Caribbean, you need a passport. To apply for a passport in your Georgia hometown, you need to fill out an application and have copies of all of the appropriate documentation required for a passport. If you have children traveling internationally with you, they’ll need a passport as well, even if they’re only a few months old.

Instructions

1.Visit your local Georgia Passport Acceptance Facility to obtain an application for a U.S. passport. You can find a location online at Iafdb.travel.state.gov. The application for a U.S. passport is available for download on the U.S. Department of State website as well at Travel.state.gov. Fill out every section of the application, which requires your personal information, such as your name, address, Social Security number and contact information.

2. Obtain the required documentation for a passport application. You’ll need to prove your U.S. citizenship with a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, report of birth abroad or a certificate of citizenship. Your identity is proved with a copy of your driver’s license, state issued ID, current government or military ID or a naturalization certificate.

3. Go to your local Passport Acceptance Facility to submit your application and documentation and to have two passport photos taken. If you already have passport photos, you don’t need to have them taken at the acceptance facility, but all photos must meet the U.S. Department of State’s passport photo guidelines available at Travel.state.gov/pdf/Photo-Quality-Requirements.pdf.

4. Submit your application, documents and photos. Inform the acceptance facility clerk whether you want to pay an additional $60 to expedite the processing of your passport, which means you will receive your passport in two to three weeks rather than six to eight weeks. The normal passport fee as of 2011 is $135.

Author,

Tiffany Raiford

The Ways In Accomplishing An Expedited Passport Renewal

Being able to take a journey abroad, worry free, is a hope all travelers share. There are things one can do to make this wish a reality. One is to make sure that when someone is about to go abroad, his travel documents have at least nine months of validity on them. If this is not the case, he should take steps to have the travel document renewed. For those who have upcoming plans, a faster way of revalidating the documents is to apply for an expedited U.S. passport renewal. 

The valid life of the document and it's American passport pages depends on how old the owner was when he got it. If he was less than 16 years old at that time, his passport's validity is five years.

 Someone who got his papers at 16 years and older will have a ten-year validity. 

Each of us can apply for a renewal anytime but some conditions need to be met. The passport must not be damaged significantly. The document must not be expired for more than five years. If both conditions are true, the owner is required to apply for a new one. Expired passports are still accepted as long as the date stamped on it is within five years.

The good thing about renewing a passport is that it can be done entirely by mail. All those who are renewing their papers have to send them to the National Passport Processing Center. This is the only address that they have to remember. 

There is an application form that is required to start the process. This is Form DS-82. This document is available for free at most public libraries and post offices. If one has access to the Internet, the form can be downloaded from the website of the State Department. 

The mailing envelope that will hold all the papers has to be large enough to contain everything without folding any of the documents. Together with the filled in application form, place the old passport, a recent picture of the correct format, and the payment inside the envelope. Mail the envelope to the processing center. Those who had a name change will have to include proof of the facts related to that change. This could be a marriage certificate or a court order for those who got divorced. 

To indicate that the transaction is an expedited passport renewal, the word "EXPEDITE" must be clearly printed on the envelope. Compared to regular processing of the document, which takes four to six weeks, an expedited application takes less than three weeks or less. The applicant should know that this transaction is more expensive than a regular application for renewing the travel document.

About the Author

Everyone should have their expedited U.S. passport renewal as soon as the validity left in them is nearing nine months. One is discouraged from going abroad if this document is near its expiry date.

 Most airlines will refuse to board anyone whose documents expire less than six months after the date that is stamped on their return trip or if they are lacking USA passport pages.