No other document is as vital for Americans who travel frequently or who work and live abroad as the passport. With it in your possession, you will be able to avoid any hassles or red tape that might emerge if you fail to secure one.
It should be emphasized that from 2007 onward, the government has deemed it mandatory for all Americans who make trips abroad to carry a US passport. Even though the document is not required in Commonwealths it will still come in handy when undergoing identification and verification processes.
To obtain a US passport, the following steps need to be undertaken and followed explicitly:
For new applicants:
You should go to any US passport acceptance office in the United States. There are several in every state. They should not be difficult to find; there are currently more than seven thousand scattered all over the country, and most of the facilities are situated at the post offices, local or sometimes regional.
When you get to the site, be certain that you bring with you two 2 x 2 photographs that are identical and taken not more than half a year ago. Those that date much older will not be accepted.
You will also have to present documentary evidence proving that you are an American citizen. In this case, a birth certificate will be sufficient. You will also need a valid identification card with a recent picture.
All applicants must also bring with them a New Passport Application Form. There are two ways to obtain this, from the office directly or you can download a copy from the Internet
It is at the following website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html
Once you have filled up the form, wait for the signal to sign it; there needs to be a witness to your putting your signature on the documents.
The Routine and Expedite Services
Once you have undergone the process at the facility, you can now wait for your papers to be processed. There are two ways to get your US passport: routine and expedite service. The one you should choose will depend on how urgently you need to have the processing finished, and how much you can afford.
In Routine Service, the waiting time will be between 10 to 12 weeks or over two to three months. This is the usual procedure and the fee amounts to $97 ($67 for the application of the passport and $30 for the execution).
In an Expedited Passport Service, it is much quicker, often taking no more than two weeks, and in some instances you will get your passport in seven days. The cost for the passport application and the execution are the same as the Routine Service but there is an additional $60 for the speedier process. The total cost will then be $157.
If you want the document processed and delivered overnight, there will be an additional $50 charge. With this option, the entire procedure will be undertaken rapidly by the United States State Department, and your documents, together with your passport, will be delivered to you. The total cost will be between $177 to $207.
Peter Garant is writing articles about How to Apply for a Passport for a site about Expats.
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