A United States passport is an official government document issued by the United States Department of State. As we know, The US Passport is proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. A passport is an internationally recognized travel document and it allows the passport holder to travel abroad and return to the United States.
A valid United States passport may be used to enter most foreign countries. For the new U.S. Passport Card, U.S. citizens may now apply and also hold both a regular passport and passport card. U.S. citizens entering the United States by sea, air, or land (regardless of destination) must present a US Passport, US Passport Card, or other WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) compliant document.
Use the (Locator) to find the closest Post Office to your home or office that accepts passport applications. Select, complete and print a Passport Application Form in advance to shorten your visit. Forms are also available at your local Post Office and many public libraries. To get all details about U.S. passport applications including Minor ages (under 16) and about application Here.
Before You Start, Please Note:
- Special Requirements for All Minors Under Age 16 http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html
- Special Requirements for All Minors Ages 16 & 17 http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_4313.html
- Special Requirements for Diplomatic, Official, & Regular No-Fee Passports Diplomatic, Official, & Regular No-Fee Passports
- When applying for a US passport, the application process is including of several steps. Even a small application mistake may delay the issuance of your new passport.
Passport Application Process:
Step 1 - Download the “United States Passport Application and Renewal Guide” (order information below)
Step 2 - Carefully read the instructions provided in the application guide
Step 3 - Fill out the application forms included
Step 4 - If there is a name change, include a certified copy of a legal document
Step 5 - Take passport photos according to the instructions provided
Step 6 - Visit in person or mail the application forms to an official recognized passport facility. Include the following: proof of identity and citizenship, passport pictures and supplemental documentation (if applicable). Addresses and contact information are included in the application guide.
Step 7 - Receive your passport in 28 to 42 days or pay an expedited fee and receive your passport within 10 to 14 days. More information about the expedited processing can be found in the "United States Passport Application and Renewal Guide".
The process of applying for a United States Passport can be a frustrating experience. Before submitting applications please follow these instructions included in the "U.S. Passport Application”.
How to Renew Your U.S. Passport
If your passport is expired or about to expire and it is highly recommended to renew it as soon as possible for several reasons, you need to renew you passport. A passport expiring during a trip abroad is a serious problem because you will not be able to enter any other countries. An expired passport might not be accepted as proof of citizenship or legal status in some countries.
Many countries require American passports to be valid for 6 months past the planned date of departure from their country. If an American passport is expired or will soon expire, and the traveler is departing soon or needs to get foreign visas, expedited U.S. passport renewal is a must. If you have already U.S. Passport and you want to renew it then follow these all instructions click Here.
You can see here US Passport Application and Renewal Application Fees and method of the payment Here.
Check the Status of Your Passport Application
It is taking 5-7 days for passport applications to be tracked online currently, allow at least that time before checking the status of your application.
To check the status of your application online, you will need:
- Your last name, including suffixes without punctuations except the hyphen, (for example: Jones III, Patton Jr, Jackson-Smith, O Brien, Mc Queen, Varela Garcia),
- Date of birth in the following format: MM/DD/YYYY, and
- The last four digits of your Social Security Number.
You can get the status of your passport application online 24/7.
Check your passport application status at : https://passportstatus.state.gov/opss/OPSS_Status_ip.asp
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