Applying For A Passport - It Can Be Easier Than You Would Think

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 new passport.

Application

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.

If you are missing a copy of your birth certificate, you will need to get one. This can be done by contacting the Office of Vital Records for the county you were born in. You can do this in person, over the Internet, or via the phone.

ID/Birth Certificate

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.

The US State Department's website has a form online that allows you to fill out the application in advance. It is recommended that you hold off on signing this application until the passport agent approves it. Signing the application ahead of time could result in identity theft.

Clerk's Office

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 renewing a passport is much simpler.

Agent

Once you have arrived at the post office or court clerk's office, you need to present your identification and photos to an agent. This agent will examine the material to make sure it is authentic and that it is indeed you and then based on this information they may approve the application. You can then sign the application at this time. Now you simply need to wait for the passport to arrive at your home via the postal service.

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.

Your passport will be good for 15 years before it needs to be renewed. When renewing a US passport you do not need to go through the process of applying for a passport, but simply need to request an updated passport via the mail.