How To Get A US Passport

It is always recommended that before anyone makes a move, they get online and read all of the rules and laws that the State Department has in place in regards to passports. These laws will sometimes change and it is best to be 100% sure of what is needed. There are other locations on the Internet that will provide this information, but the State Department is the original source and the best one to use.

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.

After the photos are obtained, check to make sure that all relevant documentation is on hand. Having a valid drivers license or other current government issued ID will be needed along with proof of citizenship. The applicant is also required to make photo copies of all of their documents.

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.

First time applicants fill out the application at the center. Currently, the Department of State estimates a four to six week processing period for passport application form. This is not a static number and it ends to fluctuate wildly. Typically, passport applications go up a few months before high vacation seasons. The busiest times of the year for international travel are typically summer and the winter holiday season.

If that time period is not acceptable, there are other services that can be used from the State Department or private agencies that will get the passport there quicker. In dire emergencies, there is also a 24 hour passport service that is available, but it is quite expensive. If a private agency is used, their fees get piled on top of the fees that the government charges.

Clearly, obtaining a passport for international travel can be time consuming, but not a difficult process. Anybody with additional questions concerning how to get a new passport should consult the State Department website. Filling out a American passport application form is a small price to pay for the experience of international travel. What are you waiting for? Get a passport and get out in the world.