When travelling outside of the United States, you need to present a valid US passport. It is necessary to have a US passport even if you are traveling to bordering countries such as Canada and Mexico. The process involved in assembling and submitting a US passport application can be daunting, but with attention to detail it is simple enough.

The first thing to do when you want to get your US passport is to visit a post office for the application form or download it online. If you choose to print the form you must use black ink on white matte paper. The dimensions of the paper must be 8 1/2 X 11 inches.

An essential part of the US passport application application is being able to provide proof of US citizenship. Documents that you can give for this include a certified US birth certificate, a citizenship or naturalization certificate. Along with your proof of citizenship you may also have to show other ID such as a valid driver’s license or old passport.

An important part of the application are the passport photos. These are one of the main reasons that passport applications are rejected, so be sure to have yours done correctly. The regulations regarding passport photos state that no headwear or eyewear can be worn in the photo, civilian clothes must be worn (no uniforms), you must be looking straight at the camera and there are specifications about the lighting and sizing of the photos. It is best to have the photos done at a store that specializes in this sort of thing.

If you are planning to travel, then it is best to apply for your passport as soon as possible. Due to a heavy workload, there are times when the issue of passports can be delayed. The issuing agent in the United States recommends applying for your passport around 12 weeks before you intend to travel. This will give you time to correct any potential errors in the passport application too. If you need to, you can pay extra to have the passport issued more rapidly than normal.

When you have sent off your passport application you can monitor its progress via the state department website. Before you send the application form, ensure that you have attached all necessary paperwork and that the forms are completely filled in and accurate. If there are items missing or you have made mistakes, then the application will be knocked back.

Costs involved with US passports are – adult passport $100, child passport $85. The additional fee to have the passport issued more quickly is $60. If you are applying for a US passport for the first time, then you will also need to fill in the DS-11 form with your application.

If you take the time to fill in the pass port application carefully and submit any required paper work with the forms, then you are likely to have your passport quickly and with no fuss. It is estimated that around 10 percent of applications have inaccuracies that cause delays, so ensure that yours is correct. Applying for and getting your passport does not have to be a complex process.

Many people are overwhelmed by the passport application process. There are so many rules and regulations involved that some people get overwhelmed by all of them. I have compiled a small list of things that one must know in order to feel more at ease with the application process. These five small bits of information are some of the most important things to know before you get started. The us passport agency does not have to be intimidating.

This process does not have to be as daunting as it seems. Knowledge can be found in many places that will help you to prepare for the application process. The government offers a large amount of information on passports and passport applications on their websites. It is also good to know exactly what documents will be needed before starting the process.

First passport fact :  The first thing you must know is that you must apply for your passport in person. The government requires that all applicants apply for their passports at a passport agency in person. This is required because the applicant’s identification must be verified through photo identification. It would be impossible to adequately verify identity if it were not done in person. The accuracy would be lessened without the in-person aspect.

Second important passport fact:  There are a few fees involved when applying for a passport. The standard application fee for a new passport is .00, plus the added .00 if the application is approved. The .00 will not need to be paid if the application is denied. Other circumstances may lead to having to pay more fees as well.

Third passport fact:  The third thing you must know is that proof of citizenship will be needed when US passport agency. You will be required to present a birth certificate, naturalization papers, or social security card to the passport agency. If these documents cannot be provided and citizenship cannot be established then the government can do a search to verify citizenship for you. There is a .00 fee for this service.

Fourth passport fact:  Photocopies must be submitted of all documentation at the time the application is submitted. Not all passport agencies will offer copy services so be sure to bring copies with you, ready to submit. Also remember to make all copies on standard paper and do not shrink the document size. Making the copy bigger is acceptable.

Fifth Important Passport Fact: It is normally affordable and simple to make changes to your passport after it is issued. Changes can be made at passport offices or through the mail in most cases. The necessary forms can even be printed of the Internet and mailed in with any necessary fees.

This short list of basic facts should be enough to give you an idea of what will be needed for your passport application. There is more information than this that you may need to know, so do some research on your own. This list may help you to feel less anxiety over the passport application process and also help you be prepared when you arrive at your closest pasport agency.

If you are intending to travel to a foreign country you will need a passport. A passport is a legal document that is issued by the federal government, for the purpose of providing proof that you are a resident of that country. A passport has several pages for stamping by foreign countries immigration officers, and also displays your photo and identifying information. There are several necessary steps to applying for a United States passport.

Applying for a passport involves having your personal records on hand in order to prove who you are. These documents include a state issued Identification card (ID) or a drivers license, and your birth certificate. Without these documents you will be unable to process the necessary paper work.

In the case that you cannot locate a copy of your birth certificate, you will need to obtain one before applying for a passport. Obtaining your birth certificate can be done in person, requested over the phone, or via the Internet.  You may also mail a request to Office of Vital Records in the county in which you were born.

Once you have your ID and birth certificate you are ready to being the process. It is possible to apply for a passport online, unless, however, you are applying for the first time.  In that case, you will need to do so in person. If you have had a passport in the past, then you can re-apply online.

When applying online you simply need to access the website for the U. S. State Department. When applying online it is a good idea to refrain from signing the application until it has been approved. Doing otherwise could result in someone else accessing your passport.

When applying for a passport you will need to go to your local post office, or circuit clerk’s office. Remember to bring your birth certificate, your ID and a 2 inch x 2 inch recent photo. To obtain the photo you can have it taken in most places that develop film, such as a local pharmacy. You will find applying for a new passport is much simpler.

When you have arrived at you passport issuing agency, then you will need to present your documentation and your photos. A passport agent will review this material. When the passport has been approved, you can then pay the passport fee. You will receive your passport via the mail.

This process may take up to six months, from applying to receiving it in the mail. Considering how long this process can be, you should start the procedure well in advance of your planned trip. If for some reason you need to have this returned quickly, you can pay an expediting fee, which should reduce the waiting time considerably.

Should it be necessary, you can speed up the process by contacting your Congressional representative’s office and explain the situation when applying for a U S passport. They will help you expedite the process in many cases. Once you have your passport, you will not need to renew it for 15 years. At the end of the 15 years you don’t have to go back through applying for a passport.  You will find renewing a passport by mail is simple.