Getting Your Passport In Person
January 5, 2008 by Aazdak Alissimmo
It’s vacation time! There are a lot of things to think about when traveling - where you want to go to and when you want to go, and how much time you’d like to spend there - but you also need to think about those little annoying things like the rules of travel, and even, getting your passport.
If you are planning to travel outside of the United States, you will need a US passport as your main form of identification while traveling. There are no exceptions to this rule except for Mexico and Canada - and those are only in specific circumstances.
When traveling to Canada or Mexico by land or sea, you may enter the country without a valid US passport, but you must have copies of both your driver’s license and an official copy of your birth certificate. Traveling by air to these countries still requires a passport.
For people who have not yet had a US passport, there is a strict requirement that your passport is applied for in person. Probably the best way to do this is to look up which of your local US Post Offices accepts passport applications. Or, you can ask your post office in person.
You don’t have to stick with the post office for your application spot, however. There are, in all, 9,000 spots to apply for a passport. These include places like court clerk offices, county and state offices, town offices and even public libraries. The US travel.gov website can help you find a spot.
Complete your application ahead of time by downloading one off the web, or pick up an application and complete it on the spot. You will need to bring with you your proof of citizenship (a birth certificate is the most common) and two passport photos, identical 2″x2″ pictures.
A final step is proving your identity - which is usually done by presenting your valid state’s driver’s license or other official state’s identification card. If you are applying for a passport for a minor, you will need to be present, as well as the minor, to vouch for the child’s identity.
Get ready to pony up some moolah, as your final step is paying for the passport fees. About $100 will get you a standard passport processing time, additional money will get you a more expedited time. Minors’ passports cost less. Processing time can take up to eight weeks depending on many variables.
If you apply for your passport in advance (well in advance) of the time that you will need it to travel - three months is a good guideline - you can make sure that you will receive your passport in plenty of time for your trip, without having to worry about not making it in time for the big day!
About the Author:
Aazdak Alisimo writes about travel subjects for NomadJournals.com - makers of travel journals that make great promotional gifts.
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