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 passport.

The process of applying for a passport involves presenting your personal identification and proof of birth. Your driver’s license or identification card will be required. You will also need to show an official copy of your birth certificate. Once you have these documents, you can start the application process for your passport.

If you do not have a copy of your birth certificate, this is the first issue of business you should address. Obtaining a birth certificate for the purpose of applying for a passport is simple. You need to contact the Office of Vital Records for the town you were born in.

When have obtained your birth certificate, you can then continue with the process. If you have applied before, you can renew on line. However, if this is your first time applying for a passport, you will need to do it in person.

When applying online you simply need to pull up the website for the US. State Department. You should not sign this application until it has been approved, as there is a genuine risk of identity theft.

Applying for a passport for the first time involves visiting the post office or circuit clerk’s office for your county, an office that is typically located in the county courthouse. Along with your ID and your birth certificate you will need to have a small 2” x 2” color photo. The easiest way to get a passport photo is to visit any store that processes film, such as a pharmaceutical store.

When you have arrived at you passport issuing agency, then you will need to present your documentation and your photos. A passport agent will review this material. When the passport has been approved, you can then pay the passport fee. You will receive your passport via the mail.

Applying for a passport may take from six weeks up to six months from the time you apply to the time the passport arrives in your mail. For this reason it is important that you process the application as far ahead of your travel date as possible. If you need to expedite this process it is possible, however, it will cost a small additional fee to have this process rushed.

If your passport has not arrived in a reasonable amount of time, you may want to contact your local Congressional representative to see if they can assist with applying for an American passport and pushing this process along. Once you have received your passport, it is good for 15 years. Actually renewing a U.S. passport is much easier than applying for a passport and can be done via mail.

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