The Passport Application Process Made Easy

A passport is most specifically used as the form of identification necessary for international traveling. There are two different kinds a person can acquire, a booklet or a card, and it is possible to acquire both. A passport card is less expensive than a booklet, and one must pay the fees for each if he or she would like both forms of identification. Either way, a United States passport application will need to be completed.

Individuals will need a passport booklet for all international travel, while a passport card can only be used for those planning to travel strictly within North America. The card will not be accepted for those traveling by air to these places, though. The card will look similar to a driver's license, while the book is like a small pamphlet with a blue cover, unless an individual is a diplomat or a citizen-employee of the United States who happens to be working abroad.

The passport application that most people need to fill out is Form DS-11. This is used for individuals who are looking to get this documentation for the first time. These individuals need to make a visit to a specifically mandated government facility that falls under the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Passport Services and Customer Service.

One such office that falls under that government department is a local post office. Other government offices can be found by going online and performing a quick search through whichever search engine an individual trusts most. When going to one of these offices, individuals should make sure they have all the documentation necessary to complete the transaction.

With Form DS-11, an individual will need to provide evidence of U.S. citizenship, an original copy of primary identification, a copy of that primary identification, two copies of one photograph, and the financial means to pay for the fees. There are specific stipulations that are required for each of these, so it would be wise for individuals to check online to see what these stipulations are.

Those individuals who are filling out Form DS-82 do not have to make an appearance in a government-mandated facility. Only certain individual will meet the criteria for being allowed to mail information to renew their U.S. passport. The most recent passport of these individuals will be undamaged and able to be sent with the application, issued when an individual was over the age of sixteen, issued within the past fifteen years, and issued with the individual's current name.

Whether an individual is filling out Form DS-82 or DS-11, he or she will not have a hard time with it. They are rather simple documents that ask such questions relating to the date of birth and social security number.. There are a few questions dealing with family history, so it would be wise to be near a phone in case a family member needs to be called.