Anybody Who Will Be Planning An International Trip Should Know United States Passport Requirements
By Advisor. Filed in Florida |
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’s a quick rundown of some passport requirements in the United Says.
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’s trying to replace a lost or stolen document will have to go to the passport office.
The first form that will have to be filled out by everyone is the DS-11. There are also quite a few secondary documents that must be presented to the clerk. The clerk will need to check the ID that’s presented and actually witness the signature on the application. The forms can be filled out ahead of time, but nothing can be signed until the applicant is in front of the passport agent.
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.
A birth certificate to be considered as being certified must have an embossed or raised seal from the registrar in the say or county of birth, along with that person’s signature. It must also have been filed within one year of the birth date on the certificate. Some shorter, or what are known as abstract versions of the certificates may not meet passport requirements. Be prepared too, to have a photocopy of both sides of the document that can be given to the agent.
A minor will always have to get their passport in person. All above documentation must be brought with them along with their parents. If the parents are divorced and sharing custody, they must both still be present. The only situations where only one parent need be present are when there’s sole custody or a parent is deceased.
The parents or guardians must be prepared to present their identification too. This can be a passport, a government ID card, military ID, or a current and valid driver’s license. If applying for the documents outside of the state of residence, also be prepared to have another form of identification. All applicants must also provide two clear color head photographs that are no more massive than 2’ x2’.
The majority of time involved in meeting new passport requirements is gathering the required documentation from home files or safe deposit boxes. Once the agent has verified all of the presented information and reviewed the DS-11 form for accuracy, the process is almost complete. Open up the checkbook, pay the fee and sign the form in front of the agent. That’s all that’s needed and the documentation process is complete with very tiny pain and very tiny time at the American passport office.
Tags: American passport requirements, New passport requirements, Passport requirements, U.S. passport requirements
