Acquiring Your United States Passport In 8 Easy Steps
The information is out there, it’s just organizing it that gives a lot of people problems. One of the first things you need to know, however, is you cannot procrastinate this process. Unless you want to pay extra for an expedited service, you need to start the passport process as soon as possible. The process can take up to three months, so be sure to start plenty of time in advance. An online USA passport service is a great way to get new passports, so I’ll be sure to include that.
1. Your passport application is the place to start and these can be acquired at your local post office or downloaded from an online passport service.
2. Complete the passport, and if you downloaded it, print it out. If you print it, it needs to be on regular printer paper: 8.5 inches by 11 inches, no holes, black ink on white paper, and with a matte surface.
3. Documentation of your United States citizenship is required so be ready to provide a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, international birth record or certificate of citizenship. You must provide an original as copies are not accepted.
4. You must also prove your identity and this can be done with the use of a valid driver’s license, a previous, undamaged passport, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship or a government or military identification.
5. Now it’s time to say “cheese”. There are many locations including drug stores who provide photo developing services, post office facilities and professional photographic studios where you can obtain your passport photos. Dress in normal, daily attire and be sure not to wear anything on your head. If you wear glasses, be sure to wear them in your photo. The photo are to be printed with a white or off-white background and must include your entire head and face and be centered. It is important to have a natural facial expression with your eyes open and there can be no shadows that would distort the image.
6. Be ready to give your social security number.
7. Ensure that you have an adequate amount of money in order to pay for your passport and the service fees that go a long with it. A passport itself costs $100, but depending on where you go and if you want to get an expedited delivery service, the cost can be more.
8. You application can be taken to your post office or court house or submitted online. Be sure to consider how soon you need it when determining your need for an expedited passport service.
While it sounds like a lot, getting a passport is pretty easy, especially with an online pasport service. In summary, all you do is fill out a passport application, prove your citizenship and identity, take your pictures, and send it in. Again, don’t wait until the last minute to get your passport. Also, don’t let the extra preparation keep you from traveling. Passports are valid for ten years, meaning you will only have to go through this process a few times in your life. However, these few times are more than worth the lifetime of memories you will receive from traveling the world.