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!

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.