International Travel Tips : Filling Out an Application for a Passport

In order to fill out a passport application, the first step is to go to travel.state.gov to download the DS-11 form. Discover the nearest acceptance facility for a passport application with help from a travel agent in this free video on international travel tips and preparation. Expert: April Smith Contact: travelleaders.com Bio: April Smith has been in the travel industry for 11 years, with two years as a gate agent with Continental Airlines, and nine years with Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Westlake, Ohio. Filmmaker: John Lorince



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbOkmfFSb4M&hl=en

Find a Passport Application Form Online

It would be best for each member of a family to have passports before leaving for the airport for that vacation abroad. Whether the family member is renewing a passport, correcting data for it, or getting a passport for the first time, the passport application form can be found online and will not be extremely difficult to complete. An individual will either fill out From DS-11 or Form DS-82, depending on his or her situation.

Since these are documents for traveling internationally, the government places mandatory rules on the acquiring of passports. Even though Form DS-11 can be completed digitally, an individual will still have to make an in-person appearance at a designated government facility. All of the additional paperwork must also be brought to the office for verification.

An easy way for an individual to find out what facilities will perform these functions is to go online and search for a Passport Acceptance Facility near the individual's home. Most local post offices can perform these duties, but it would still be wise to check online, or if an individual does not have computer access, he or she should consider calling the post office. These places should also have the proper application should an individual not have Internet access.

Passport processing can take a decent amount of time, so individuals should consider doing this process far in advance. For those individuals who no longer have the option of completing the process far in advance, the government offer expediting services that will push the application through the process a little quicker. For those that really need the document quick, an independent expediting service can perform the duty in one day.

As well as the application, an individual will need to bring additional documentation to the facility of his or her choosing. The purpose the additional documents serve is to act as proof of an individual's citizenship and proof of an individual's identity. An individual will also need a recent photograph and a copy of the recent photograph.

One of the most used proofs of citizenship has been the birth certificate. Other proofs, such as a certificate of citizenship, can also be used. For a complete list of all acceptable proofs, go online and check the government's stipulations. For proof of identity, a driver's license will work. Again, other documentation will work, so it would not be a bad idea to go online and check.

Form DS-11 differs from Form DS-82 in that an individual filling out Form DS-11 will need to appear at one of the governmental facilities and the individual completing Form DS-82 will be renewing his or her passport via the mail. Both of these are passport application forms. Each form will ask basic things, such as name and social security.

The Passport Application Process For United States Citizens

Applying for a passport may not be on your top-ten list of things to do, but it is worth your while to take the time to apply for this important document. Not only will it speed you through travel security lines, both inside of and outside of the United States, but it will come in handy for any situation which requires a photo identification that is accepted around the world.

Passports are a verification of who you say you are as well as a confirmation of your citizenship. No other document needs to meet the strict qualifications and supporting evidence that's required to apply for a passport, which is why it is so widely accepted. There are several steps when applying for a first time passport, but since your passport is good for 10 years, and renewal is much easier, you'll only have to go through this level of work once.

Start by locating a passport acceptance and processing office close to you. A United States Post Office meets this requirement and is the most familiar and convenient for many people. Libraries and local government buildings also qualify. You can check in the phone book or visit the web site for the United States Department of State and use their convenient search link. This link lets you search by zip code and distance as well as city and state. You can further refine your search if handicapped access is required and it's worth narrowing the list to those that also produce passport photographs.

Speaking of passport photos, these can't just be your favorite shot from your last vacation. As with a driver's license, the picture must meet certain requirements, such as size and composition. Local copy centers such as Kinko's also typically make passport photos, but if you select a processing site that does this service, you'll be saving yourself an extra trip.

The passport application itself can be downloaded from the U.S. Department of State web site, or picked up at the application center. If you download and print it at home, check it carefully as anything smudged, smeared or illegible will cause it to be rejected.

Use only black ink to fill it in and don't sign it before showing up in person at the processing center. The official will need to witness your signature.

Since citizenship is verified before a passport is issued, you'll also need a certified and embossed Birth Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization Certificate. These must be originals, not copies. If you need to write away for a replacement certificate, it's a good idea to order 2 so you'll always have a spare. Photocopies of these important documents are seldom accepted as proof of citizenship.

As you may have guessed, passports aren't free, so be prepared to pay. Fees change over time but the typical cost is around $100.00. Photos are an extra charge, depending on where you have them taken, but typically that's between $10.00 and $20.00. If you're rushed and need your passport expedited, add on more money. Mailing fees can also add up, as sending by a traceable method is highly recommended.

You'll need to wait approximately 2 to 3 weeks to receive your passport, but allow a few more weeks on top of that just to be safe. Starting the application process at least a month or more before you need your passport will allow for any unexpected problems. Soon you'll be the proud owner of a U.S. Passport and will find yourself smiling as you sail though those long security lines at the airport!

The Online Passport Application Explained

There is a different online passport application for those applying for their initial passport than for those renewing a passport. A person applying for an initial passport completes the DS-11 Application for a U.S. Passport. Someone who is renewing a passport may renew via mail if certain requirements are met. In this case, the person will complete Form DS-82: Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail. The application may be downloaded from the U.S. Department of State or private passport processing company web sites.

These web sites offer the application form for download and printing by the public. Though it may be completed online, the form may not be submitted online. The reason for this is that the application must be hand-signed and additional documents must be provided in hard copy format.

The supporting documentation provided with a passport application is intended to verify the applicant's identity. They include evidence of U.S. citizenship and present identification. A birth certificate will fulfill the first category and a driver's license will fulfill the second.

The birth certificate must be a certified version containing the registrar's seal, signature, and date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office. The birth certificate may be issued by the city, county, or state of birth. The driver's license must still be valid and must be submitted in person by the first-time applicant. A copy of the driver's license must also be provided. Should the applicant not have a driver's license, a current government or military ID may be substituted.

If the applicant does not have one of these forms of identification, secondary identification will be accepted. A combination of signature documents may be provided including a social security card, credit card, employee identification card, and a library card. An identifying witness who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and has known the applicant for at least two years may accompany the applicant and serve as secondary proof of identity. The applicant is encouraged to submit as much secondary identification as possible because these applicants are handled on a case-by-case basis.

The private service providers and the government list all of this information on their Web sites. There is a wealth of detail on these sites, so read through everything carefully. The web sites also contain information regarding the various government fees and additional charges established by the service providers. Different providers charge different fees, so some research will be required in order to obtain the best deal.

The applicant should then make an in-person visit to the post office or passport agency for application verification, if required, and then package all documents and sent them off for processing. The package should include two photos that will be used in the new passport. These photos must adhere to certain specifications, so check the provider or government Web site for guidance.

A Passport Application Made Easy

A passport is a primary source of identification for a citizen while at home or abroad. To obtain this document, a citizen must fill out a passport application form and produce the required documentation to the government. Without a passport, world travel is impossible, as all customs officials from every corner of the globe require them to be produced before a citizen can pass into the country.

It must be remembered that obtaining a passport is a privilege, not a right. In all cases, the government has the final say in whether a person can or cannot leave or enter the country. These documents are necessary forms of identification that give holders certain rights and privileges. While abroad, a United States passport can give citizens access to an embassy in times of trouble.

Because of their high level of importance, a prospective recipient of a passport must fill out all necessary paperwork. This paper trail aids the government in following movements of citizens and visitors alike to promote the interests of national security. Locating a passport agency, such as a county store, is where one goes to begin this process.

People who wish to acquire a passport must do so in person at one of these passport offices. To purchase a passport, a citizen must be able to prove to government officials both their identity and citizenship. To do this, prospective travelers must bring documents such as a valid driver's license, green card, birth certificate, social security card, or an old undamaged passport with them to the office.

Photographs on the passport are also a major step in the application process. Most offices will take the picture of a citizen on the date of the application, but a picture taken in the last six months can also be substituted. These pictures must be up to date and show the citizen in their normal clothes to guard against cases of mistaken identity. To guard against forgery, passports contain two pictures and a seal.

Once the picture is taken and citizenship and identity are proven to government officials, the final step in gaining a passport is payment. Payment for this document can be made by cash, debit or credit card, or by check at the government office. Two fees totaling $120 is the cost of a new passport while renewing one only costs $95. Passports for minors, also, cost less money than adults.

After a passport is sent to a citizen, it is their responsibility to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. International criminals and other nefarious people would love nothing more to obtain a U.S. passport so if one is stolen or lost, the government should be notified immediately. Because of their importance, penalties and fines for replacing lost or stolen passports have been put into place.

Application Form and Guidelines For a United States Passport

Everyone knows that, despite the rise of the internet, the U.S. government runs on paperwork, with some kind of designated form for every imaginable document.

The passport application process is no different.  Anyone who needs a passport for the first time will find that the application form is only part of the process for getting a passport. 

The paperwork you'll need for your first passport is called a DS-11: "Application for U.S. Passport" but I'm getting ahead of myself. Before diving in to the form, let's discuss a little background on the whole passport thing. What exactly is a passport and why do you need one? 

Believe it or not, references to the first known passport date back to the Hebrew Bible, where Nehemiah needed something official from King Artaxerxes of Persia which would verify his identity when traveling through the various lands on his way to Judea. The passport became more of what we know today when King Henry V of England came up with a standard for identification for his subjects. The passport was born and has evolved to what we use today. 

This being said, you can see that you're going to need something that verifies your citizenship and identify when you apply for a passport for the first time. Start looking for your original Birth Certificate. If you gained citizenship in other ways, such as through naturalization, locate those documents. You'll be mailing the original along with your application but it will be returned with your passport. 

You'll find the DS-11 form at any passport office, such as the U.S. Post Office, library or other city, state or municipal government office. Or, make it easy on yourself and download it from the web site of the U.S. Department of State. Be sure to only use black ink when filling it in and don't sign it as you'll have to do that in the presence of the passport official when you turn it in.  

Also don't forget to have 2 passport photos taken which will go along with your application. Most post offices can take care of this for you, which makes it easy and one less place to visit. Pick up a strong and durable mailing envelope while you're there so nothing gets damaged in transit. 

You cannot pay passport fees with a credit card, but checks or money orders are accepted. The State Department asks $75.00 for the passport book and another $25.00 for the processing costs. Photos run around $10.00 but ask to see if the price has gone up. Mailing your application by certified mail, or any other traceable means, is highly recommended. You'll get your passport in approximately 3 or 4 weeks. 

This has been a general outline of what's involved in getting a passport for the first time, but there's more to know that may fit your unique situation. Check out the U.S. Department of State web site for lots of information. Soon you'll be the expert on applying for a passport and will be able to explain the process to your friends and family.

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.

Passport Application Online

Great news for travelers! You can now fill out your passport application online. The US Department of State has put together on their website a new system in which you can make your passport application online, which will save you a lot of time and hassle over having to fill out many pages of forms by hand.

When doing the application, the Online Passport service will automatically send you to the correct form depending on your individual circumstances, such as whether this is your first time applying for a US passport, your passport was lost or stolen, you want to renew an existing American passport, or the data contained in your existing passport has changed or is no longer accurate.

The process itself is fairly simple, you first proceed to entering your data on the secure website, such as your name, date of birth, place of birth, occupation, etc.

Once you have finished filling out the form, you then need to print out the papers and take the oath at a passport acceptance facility. Do not sign the application before taking it to the passport acceptance facility, as your signature would need to be witnessed by an official from there.

You also need to submit your passport photographs as well as supporting documentation to prove US Citizenship, such as a birth certification or certificate of naturalization. To avoid any undue delays in getting your new passport, make sure you submit all the necessary documents and that the information contained in the application that you filled out is complete and accurate. It is also important that the passport photographs that you submit meet all the requirements set forth in the Department of State website. This is why it is recommended to use a professional photographer's services in order to get your photographs taken.

The processing times vary, however completing your passport application online has the advantage of making processing times quicker than filling out a manual form like before. If you choose the regular service, you can expect to receive your passport in about three weeks. If your travel needs require you to get your passport sooner, in that case there is an expedited option, in which the process of sending in the application, and returning your passport to you by overnight delivery can take less than two weeks from the date you submitted the application.

The Department of State has a tool that allows you to check the status of your application directly on their website. That way, you can have a better idea of what the status is and when you can expect to receive your new passport. You can use this tool after 5 to 7 days have passed since your application has been submitted. All you have to do is enter your last name, social security number and date of birth on their site.

Applying to the JET Program - Vlog #1 - Get the Application!

The start of a new series. This series will focus on applying to the JET Programme. Topics I'll cover in upcoming vlogs: getting started the essay the other documents needed question areas of the application itself anything you guys ask me about Here are the important links!! The JET Programme homepage: www.jetprogramme.org Application FAQ: www.jetprogramme.org American JET hopefuls - go here for the online application: www.us.emb-japan.go.jp UK JETs go here: www.jet-uk.org Other countries, go here and select your home country (where you have a passport): www.jetprogramme.org Good luck! More vlogs coming soon. Thanks for watching! -Jason



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9ZVUdN3IIc&hl=en

US Passport Application

The most important step in order to obtain a new U.S. passport is submitting a properly filled out U.S. passport application. The government uses this to not only gather the required information about the applicant, but also to assess his 'intention' of traveling.

Depending on the form of request, there are various application forms available. The most common one, the 'DS-11' form, is available when applying for a new U.S. passport. This form should be used only when you are applying for the first time. A certain criterion has to be met in order to fall into the 'first-time applicant' category. 'DS-82' forms are used when one has to apply by mail, in cases of renewal of an existing passport. For an amendment or validation of the passport, application form 'DS-19' should be presented. It is used when there is a modification in the printed information of one's passport. In case of a lost or stolen passport, the form 'DS-64' is submitted, along with the DS-11 form. And to obtain a passport for a minor under the age of 14, the form 'DS-3053' along with the DS-11 application form is submitted.

The time taken to obtain a U.S. passport is normally two weeks. However, it may take a little longer during spring and summer, as they are the busiest periods. Also with the U.S. passport application, it is required for the applicant to submit proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, two passport-sized photos and the applicable fee to obtain a U.S. passport. The total fee charged is $97 for citizens above 16 years of age, and $82 for those who are under 16- a very low price indeed to obtain your right to travel.