Anyone wishing to leave the United States, or any home country for that matter, will need to know how to get a US passport. Today, international travel, even to border countries, requires that passport documentation be used to enter any country from another country. We are going to try and explain the process to make the whole experience easier for first time passport applicants.
The very first thing that anyone who has never had a passport should do is get online and start reading the travel laws for international travel. Some locations do not require a full passport, and everything will be covered in the State Department passport FAQ. While there are other sites out there that supply information, for something like this, it is best to go right to the source.
Prior to heading over to the passport office, it is important to get photos taken for the passport. Photos are not part of the processing and they are the responsibility of the applicant. These photos must be set to a specific size and it is best to use a photo shop that offers this specific service. Some passport offices will also offer this service to applicants.
In addition to the photos, every applicant must also have a valid government issued ID. Things such as a drivers license or military ID are acceptable. They will also need a birth certificate or other document that proves citizenship. Photocopies of all original documents will also be needed to speed up the application process.
Application centers are normally in U.S. Post Offices. First time applicants must apply in person at a certified passport application center. A full list of approved application centers can be found on the State Department website. An applicant must bring passport photos as well as the two forms of ID and photocopies of the ID to the application center.
Anyone that is getting a passport for the first time will actually have to go to a passport office in order to turn in all of their USA passport application form. Once everything has been accepted, they can expect to receive a passport in about two months. While this may seem like a long time, it used to be much longer before the new travel laws were put in place.
If there is the need to get the passport sooner than the standard times, there is an expedited service that is offered for an additional fee. This will generally get the passport back within three weeks. There are also agencies that offered expedited service and while the fees are much higher, they can usually deliver a passport in any time frame that is needed.
While getting a filling out theAmerican passport application form can be a bit of a chore, knowing how to get a new passport is half the battle. It is amazing how many people show up without the right documentation, missing photos or even the wrong sized photos. All they get is a shake of the head and sent to the back of the line why they get their things in order.