American Passports – Everything You Should Know

Posted by on February 2, 2012

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies your identity. In addition, it’s a document that requests another government to allow you to visit their country and be afforded assistance and protection. In the United States, American pasports are issued by the US government through the State Department.

Why Do You Need A Passport

Such a document is required whenever one needs to travel outside the US. It provides the holder with a guarantee that everything is in order to visit another country. It is also required to enter Canada and Mexico.

How Do You Get A Passport

In order to acquire a passport, one needs to go through an application process. The first step is to fill in an application form. This can be found from the US Department of State as well as through online agencies. One can also download the application form from several websites. E-passports have been introduced a few years ago. These contain a computer chip and this chip is embedded in the back cover of the passport, storing the exact information contained on the passport along with a digital photograph. Anti-fraud and security features have been included. For those who still have their old passports, these are still acceptable until their validity period ends.

Who Needs A Passport

It is important that a passport acceptance agent gets to see the application form before you sign it. No matter what age you are, everyone, including infants, needs a passport when travelling outside the boarders of the US, whether by land, air, or sea. Because it is such an important document, the procedure is very strict.

Primary Documents

Although the form may be filled out online, you should submit the completed form personally to one of the certified passport agencies or facilities. This is applicable to all applicants, even minors. The list of certified facilities and passport agencies can be found online. A primary document is needed to verify a person’s identity and US citizenship. These documents may be in the form of a certified birth certificate or a previous passport.

Secondary Documents

Secondary documents such as a driver’s license or a previous passport that is undamaged will be acceptable. If you can’t provide a primary identification document, secondary documents will do. Just check the list and choose from the provided options of acceptable secondary identification documents.

Secondary Identification

Secondary identification must be a combination of documents such as a social security card plus a credit card, employee I. D. or library card. You may also bring an identifying witness who has valid primary identification. A photocopy of identification documents also must be submitted, showing the front and back of your document. Fees are then paid and you will provide two pass port renewal photos, which must meet passport photo requirements.

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