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.

Applying for a passport can be a confusing tangle of forms. Completing them correctly and providing the documentation requested can speed up your United States passport application. It can also save you several hours of repeat visits, and eliminate frustration.

Passports can be renewed by mail under certain conditions. If it was issued less than 15 years ago and is undamaged, you may not have to apply in person. Your current passport must also have been issued when you were 16 years of age or older. It should bear your current name, or you must furnish legal documentation of the name change.

Mail order renewals make take 10 or 12 weeks to process during the busy season. During slow times, you should still allow 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited service can be requested for an additional , which will cut the processing time in half. When mailing in your application, include all passport forms required, pack it in a weather-proof mailer, and opt for tracking services.

If you have never had a passport, or if it has been more than 15 years since you received one, you have to apply at the issuing site. This is also the case if the age limit of 16 cannot be met. If your current passport has been damaged, stolen, or lost, you must also apply in person. Also, anyone with a name change he or she cannot document must make personal application.

There are several regional passport offices across the country, but they may be hundreds of miles away. Therefore, most people choose to apply at a post office or with their county clerk. Hours of operation vary by office, but the documents you must provide are the same. You must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship, such as an embossed birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship, or a notice of naturalization. An undamaged passport also serves this purpose. If you are a U.S. Citizen who was born in another country, a report from the consul or a birth certificate may be used.

You must also prove your identity. A passport can do double duty and fulfill this requirement as well as proving your citizenship. A state issued ID card or driver’s license will also suffice. However, if your license is from a different state than the one in which you are applying for a passport, you must provide secondary identification. The agency will accept a social security card, a credit card in your name, or an identification card from your employer. Whatever forms of identification you plan to use, take along a photocopy of both sides of the document. Do not make two sided copies.

Photographs are one area that lead to many rejections. You will need two identical photos, each 2 x 2 and in color. They cannot be more than 6 months old and should show how you currently appear. They must be full face frontal views. The space between the bottom of the chin and the top of the head must fall between one inch and one and three-eighths inches. You should wear your normal style of dress and pose against a white or near-white background. If you normally wear glasses or a wig, you should wear them in the picture. No hats are to be worn, and ladies should refrain from hair trims that hide the hair or hairline.

Children, emergency passports, and passports for those traveling on official business all have varying requirements, and no attempt has been made to address them in this article. But for the typical traveler, this information should help make your U.S. passport application go more smoothly. The most important thing to remember is to assemble your passport form and take it with you when you go to apply.