How to Obtain a Passport

[mpashon]

Hello!

This may be a stupid question but how do you get a passport?
Do I go to Walgreen's and get a photo taken and then go to the DMV? Do you know how much it costs? How long it takes to get in the mail?

[kobfield2007]

My advice is, go to the USPS and get it. Most can take your photo and what not right away. BUT I will warn, passports have gone up, alot!! They went from $98 to like $160 on Feb. 2nd. The upped price may be wrong, but I know they went up pretty high.

[maeberha]

you get it from the post office. some postal offices offer to take the picture there, but in reality it's expensive, and you can just take it yourself, or Wal Greens takes them for cheaper.

when i got mine, it was $112, and usually takes about 12 weeks (i think)

go HERE (http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/obtain-a-us-passport.html) to answer all of your questions

[kobfield2007]

My advice too is to have the form filled out ahead of time.

Also the turn around time is about 2 weeks right now, but the closer you get to spring breaks and summer, the turn around time will go up, so get it the sooner the better. They're good for 15 years.

[Brat20]

How to Apply in Person for a Passport


Should You Apply In Person?

You are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time. Yes
Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged. Yes
Your previous U.S. passport has expired & was issued more than 15 years ago. Yes
Your previous passport has expired and it was issued when you were under 16. Yes
Your name has changed since your passport was issued and you do not have a legal document formally changing your name. Yes
NOTES: All persons must have their own passports, including infants. If you are behind in child support payments, you may not be able to get a passport. See Child Support .

For All Minors Under Age 16:
Each minor child shall appear in person.
All applications for children under 16 require both parents' or legal guardians' consent.
(See Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16)
For All Minors Ages 16 & 17:

Each minor child shall appear in person.
For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.
If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child and
present identification.
Follow instructions below.
To Apply in Person for a U.S. Passport You MUST:

1. Provide Application for Passport, Form DS-11

To download an application form, please click here.


Or, forms can be obtained from any passport agency or acceptance facility. (Call to check hours of availability.)
NOTE: Please do NOT sign the DS-11 application form until the Passport Acceptance Agent instructs you to do so.

2. Present Proof of U.S. Citizenship

All documentation submitted as evidence of U.S. Citizenship will be returned to the applicant. Evidence documents will either arrive with the issued passport or in a separate mailing to the applicant. You may prove U.S. Citizenship with any one of the following:

Previous U.S. Passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as evidence of U.S. citizenship.)
Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state
NOTE: A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. Please note that some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes.

Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
Naturalization Certificate
Certificate of Citizenship
A Delayed Birth Certificate filed more than one year after your birth may be acceptable if it:

Listed the documentation used to create it and
Signed by the attending physician or midwife, or, lists an affidavit signed by the parents, or shows early public records.
If you do NOT have a previous U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate, you will need:

Letter of No Record
Issued by the State with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you.

AND as many of the following as possible:
Baptismal certificate
Hospital birth certificate
Census record
Early school record
Family bible record
Doctor's record of post-natal care
NOTES: These documents must be early public records showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of your life. You may also submit an Affidavit of Birth, form DS-10, from an older blood relative, i.e., a parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, who has personal knowledge of your birth. It must be notarized or have the seal and signature of the acceptance agent. If you were born abroad AND do not have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Birth on file, you will need:

If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to one U.S. citizen parent:
Foreign birth certificate,
Proof of citizenship of your U.S. citizen parent, AND
An affidavit of your U.S. citizen parent showing all periods and places of residence or physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.
If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to two U.S. citizen parents:
Your foreign birth certificate,
Parent’s marriage certificate, AND
Proof of citizenship of your U.S. parents and an affidavit of your U.S. citizen parents showing all periods and places of residence of physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.
Click here for additional information on documentation of U.S. citizens born abroad who acquire citizenship at birth NOTE: The following are NOT proof of citizenship

Voter registration cards
Army discharge papers
Information on foreign-born children adopted by U.S. citizens. NOTE: If you travel extensively, you may request more Visa pages in your passport at no additional cost. To do so, please attach a signed request for additional Visa pages to be added to your application. 48-page passport s are no longer available in the U.S. or abroad.

FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 16:The citizenship evidence submitted for minors under the age of 16 must list both parents' names. Read more information on the citizenship requirements for minors under the age of 16.

3. Present Proof of Identity

You may prove your identity with any one of these, if you are recognizable:

Previous U.S. passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as proof of identity.)
Naturalization Certificate
Current, valid
Driver's license
Government ID: city, state or federal
Military ID: military and dependents
NOTE: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity. If none of these are available , you will need:

Some signature documents, not acceptable alone as ID
(ex: a combination of documents, such as your Social Security card, credit card, bank card, library card, etc.) AND

A person who can vouch for you. He/she must:
Have known you for at least 2 years,
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident,
Have valid ID, and
Fill out a Form DS-71 in the presence of a passport agent.
FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 16: Each minor child shall appear in person. Both parents or legal guardians must present evidence of identity when they apply for a minor under the age of 16. Read more information on the identity requirements for minors under the age of 16.

FOR MINORS 16 & 17:

Your child MUST appear in person.
For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.
If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child, present identification and co-sign the application.
4. Provide Two Passport Photos

Your photographs must be:

2x2 inches in size
Identical
Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
Color
Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
Taken in normal street attire
Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.
Click here for information on acceptable digitized photos.
Click here for detailed information for professional photographers.

NOTE:Vending machine photos are not generally acceptable

5. Pay the Applicable Fee

Click here to see current passport fees

Methods of Payment -

At Our 14 Passport Agencies -

Both fees and the surcharge are combined into one payment to the ''U.S. Department of State'':

Credit Cards – VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
Debit/Check cards (not ATM cards)
Checks (personal, certified, cashiers', travelers'), money orders (U.S. Postal, international, currency exchange), bank drafts
Note: If abroad, U.S. Embassies and Consulates accept the foreign currency equivalent, or a check drawn on a U.S. bank. At our over 9,000 Passport Acceptance Facilities, you pay the passport application fee and the security surcharge to the ''U.S. Department of State'' and the execution fee to the facility where you are applying. For Passport Application Fee:

Personal checks, money orders, and bank drafts at all locations
Exact cash at some locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility)
For Execution Fee:

Money orders and bank drafts at all locations
Personal checks and exact cash at some locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility)
Credit cards at U.S. Postal Facilities and some other locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility)
Expedite Fee: (See How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry. )

6. Provide a Social Security Number

If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty. If you have any questions please call your nearest IRS office

[Brat20]

My advice too is to have the form filled out ahead of time.

Also the turn around time is about 2 weeks right now, but the closer you get to spring breaks and summer, the turn around time will go up, so get it the sooner the better. They're good for 15 years.

The turn around time is actually 4-6 weeks. 2 weeks is if you pay the extra $60 to have it expodited.

I paid $100 for normal processing. So to get it in 2 weeks it would be $160.

The cool thing is that you can get it before you get married and then after you get married and go on your honeymoon, you have 1 yr to change your name for free!!! I believe you just have to pay for the shipping which for me was about $2 or $3. I had my passport in my married name and then waited until we got back to change my liscence and everything. The only bad thing was that you have to send the old passport in with the request to change youe name and send in a new pic! I got the pics done at Walgreens. They are $7.xx for two.

Here (http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html) is the main goverment website. You can print out the forms (http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html) and fill them out before you go. You might want to call your local post office, b/c our requires that you have an appointment, but the main posto office downtown didn't.

[kobfield2007]

The turn around time is actually 4-6 weeks. 2 weeks is if you pay the extra $60 to have it expodited.

I paid $100 for normal processing. So to get it in 2 weeks it would be $160.

The cool thing is that you can get it before you get married and then after you get married and go on your honeymoon, you have 1 yr to change your name for free!!! I believe you just have to pay for the shipping which for me was about $2 or $3. I had my passport in my married name and then waited until we got back to change my liscence and everything. The only bad thing was that you have to send the old passport in with the request to change youe name and send in a new pic! I got the pics done at Walgreens. They are $7.xx for two.

Here (http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html) is the main goverment website. You can print out the forms and fill them out before you go. You might want to call your local post office, b/c our requires that you have an appointment, but the main posto office downtown didn't.
That's what my mom told me. (Maybe it's just our area.) She does them everyday. She said b/c it's still early on, they're coming back in about 2 weeks (normal delivery), but now since it's getting closer to spring break and summer, so the turn around time is going to start getting longer and longer.

[kobfield2007]

But do keep in mind that on Feb. 2nd the price almost doubled.

[Brat20]

That's what my mom told me. (Maybe it's just our area.) She does them everyday. She said b/c it's still early on, they're coming back in about 2 weeks (normal delivery), but now since it's getting closer to spring break and summer, so the turn around time is going to start getting longer and longer.


Ahhh, I was just quoting the governments website with delivery time and prices as of right now.

[mpashon]

Great!

Thanks for all the tips and info!

[lovecat4984]

Where will you be traveling to? Because I know if you are going on a cruise or driving across the border you can get a passcard and it's alot cheaper.

[emmanlove]

I had to get one last year during the big rush of everyone needing/wanting one. I had a very long wait, nearly 4 months. I called several times becasue i didn't want to miss my trip, they said they would expedite it, but never did. I was told that just becuase you pay to expedite doesn't mean they will. So my recommendation to you, if you do or don't need to, dont waste the money on expediting it.

The paperwork and the proces is pretty simple though. LIke others said, have the paperwork filled out when you get to the post office, it goes a lot smoother that way.

[mpashon]

We will be going to Cancun or Cabo. Not sure which one yet.

[kobfield2007]

I had to get one last year during the big rush of everyone needing/wanting one. I had a very long wait, nearly 4 months. I called several times becasue i didn't want to miss my trip, they said they would expedite it, but never did. I was told that just becuase you pay to expedite doesn't mean they will. So my recommendation to you, if you do or don't need to, dont waste the money on expediting it.
That's the US gov't. They lie....

[Brat20]

Where will you be traveling to? Because I know if you are going on a cruise or driving across the border you can get a passcard and it's alot cheaper.


This is true! BUt.... you can not use this is traveling by air. You can only use it for land and sea travel. Valid for land and sea crossings between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean only. It is about $45 compared too $100. You may save some money at first, but if you decide to travel outside the country by air, then you have to apply for a regular passport. Personally I would just spend the extra money to get the passport. You will spend more in the long run if you end up needing a regualr passport book. Here is a link I found comparing the two.

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/ppt_pptCard.pdf

[Denisa]

I had to get one last year during the big rush of everyone needing/wanting one. I had a very long wait, nearly 4 months. I called several times becasue i didn't want to miss my trip, they said they would expedite it, but never did. I was told that just becuase you pay to expedite doesn't mean they will. So my recommendation to you, if you do or don't need to, dont waste the money on expediting it.

The paperwork and the proces is pretty simple though. LIke others said, have the paperwork filled out when you get to the post office, it goes a lot smoother that way.
I had the same thing happen to me. We ordered our passports in March of last year and didn't get them till almost a week before we were supposed to leave on on our honeymoon! Which was in July. We ended up calling and they did expidite our passports, and we didn't have to pay the extra fee for it either.

My advice, if you don't need it right away then paying extra for it to expidite really isn't necessary.

[bsarahd]

Wow I got mine in around 2 weeks after I sent it off. A friend of mine just recieved his in the mail yesterday, turnaround time was LESS than 2 weeks. And it was just regular process, no expedite. I would hurry up and try to beat the spring break/summer rush.

[lovecat4984]

This is true! BUt.... you can not use this is traveling by air. You can only use it for land and sea travel. Valid for land and sea crossings between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean only. It is about $45 compared too $100. You may save some money at first, but if you decide to travel outside the country by air, then you have to apply for a regular passport. Personally I would just spend the extra money to get the passport. You will spend more in the long run if you end up needing a regualr passport book. Here is a link I found comparing the two.

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/ppt_pptCard.pdf


I am aware of the difference between the two. Me personally I would opt for the passcard because don't see myself flying anywhere anytime soon. I am terrified of planes.

[Brat20]

I am aware of the difference between the two. Me personally I would opt for the passcard because don't see myself flying anywhere anytime soon. I am terrified of planes.

I was really just adding to yours. I didn't mean to imply that you didn't know the difference.

[JohnandBrandie08]

This is the site that I went to when needing to find out passport info:

Passport Information (http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html)

[renlori]

I paid $176.05 at the post office where I had them take my picture and had the passport expedited. I filed for it on Feb. 1, 2008 and recieved it on Feb. 9, 2008. My mother filed on the same day and paid around $90.00 and recieved it on Feb.15, 2008. We live in Colorado if that makes any difference. I guess it just depends on how soon you need it to travel.

[mpashon]

I paid $176.05 at the post office where I had them take my picture and had the passport expedited. I filed for it on Feb. 1, 2008 and recieved it on Feb. 9, 2008. My mother filed on the same day and paid around $90.00 and recieved it on Feb.15, 2008. We live in Colorado if that makes any difference. I guess it just depends on how soon you need it to travel.


Great thanks for the info! As you can see I live in Colorado too! What info/ docs do they need to get it?

[JDub27]

I applied for my passport on February 14th and got it today, so two weeks - not too shabby! :)

[lovecat4984]

I was really just adding to yours. I didn't mean to imply that you didn't know the difference.


Oh no... I didn't think you implied that at all. Sorry if what I typed came off Bitchy... I totally didn't mean it like that.

[DMcG1977]

I applied for mine this past weekend, it was $100 exactly (I printed my own pictures) and they said about 3 weeks...so we'll see!!!

[weddinggirl]

I am from Canada and all I had to do was pick up the application from a post office, or government service centre. I then went to a camera store to get my picture taken ($12.50 for 2 pics) and then went down to the passport office (2 in Calgary) with application completed, both pictures, my license and birth certificate. I should recieve mine by the end of the month and I went in last week. That cost $85 or $90. So almost $100 by the time I was said and done. ALOT easier then I thought it would be!!