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What you need to do to get a passport

Before traveling abroad, you’ll need to have all the proper paperwork. Your passport might seem like the obvious first step, but there are other vital documents you’ll need to cross borders and leave the country quickly. Learn about what you need to do to get a passport, including how long it takes and what information you’ll need beforehand, here!

How Long Does It Take To Get a Passport?

It takes about six weeks for the passport application process to be completed. The first step is to fill out the DS-11 form, which can be done at your local post office or government office. You will also need to provide proof of identification. Such as your social security card and, driver’s license; proof of citizenship. Such as a birth certificate; and two proofs of current address, such as rental agreements. In addition, before submitting the form, you must submit fingerprints at your local law enforcement agency.

5 Tips for Getting a Passport for the First Time

If you are eligible for a U.S. Passport, here are five things that you need to know before getting one for the first time:

You will need your social security card and birth certificate.
Your name must match your birth certificate, including hyphens and suffixes. If your name has changed since birth, such as through marriage or divorce, you must submit proof of the legal change along with your application form.
The fee is $140. But if you apply in person at a Regional Passport Agency or elsewhere designated by the Department of State, there may be an additional execution fee.
You cannot apply for a passport if you owe child support.
If you use expedited service (a two-day turnaround), the fee increases to $60 per application.

Passports: what you need to know to get one

In the United States, passports are issued by the Department of State, not the Department of Homeland Security. You can apply for a passport through an in-person interview at one of the 9,000 post offices nationwide or any other acceptance facility that offers this service. If you’re applying for your first adult passport, you’ll need to provide:

A completed application form DS-11 (available at www.travel.state.gov)
One government-issued photo I.D.
Proof of citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate or naturalization certificate

The passport application process: what you need to know

The U.S. Passport application process can be confusing. But understanding what you need to know before starting the process can help make it less stressful and more accessible for all involved.

The first thing that everyone applying for a U.S. Passport needs is proof of U.S. Citizenship, which can include:

A valid U.S. birth certificate is issued by the city, county, or state of birth in the United States. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State.
A Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS; or An expired American Indian Card (I-551).

What Kind of Identification Do I Need To Get My First Passport?

The penalties for having a criminal record vary depending on the severity of the crime and how long ago it was committed. Many people still qualify for passports if their criminal history is relatively minor or old.

If you were convicted of an offense that carries with it more than one year in prison. You would not be eligible for a U.S. passport. This includes fraud and identity theft offenses as well as any felony convictions.

Suppose your only crime was misdemeanor possession of marijuana. In that case, you can apply for a U.S. passport after ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction or release from confinement (whichever is later).

How Much Does it Cost To Get A New Passport?

. First, check that your current U.S. passport is not expired. If it is, follow the steps in Renewing Your Passport below.
Fill out an application form DS-11 with your social security number and contact information, then print the form and fill in all the blanks.
Complete the Identity Statement on page 1 of the DS-11 form by checking Yes in Box 2 (I am applying for my first U.S. passport) and signing your name below this box on page 1 of the DS-11 form
Take two blank sheets of paper and place them on either side of your face so they are parallel to each other, about 6 inches from your face.

So, You Want to Get a Passport? Here’s What You Need to Do

Determine if the country you are traveling to requires a visa from your home country. If so, ensure that the passport is valid for at least six months past the date of entry and that there is space for the visa. If not, you will also need to ensure that your name on the application matches precisely what’s on your passport.
Obtain a signed letter of approval from your employer/school or any other organization sponsoring your travel abroad (if applicable). The letter should contain specific information about who is authorizing and approving the trip, how long it will be, and when it begins and ends. And what type of activities are planned while abroad?