While traveling abroad, there is no document of greater importance to a United States citizen then their passport. A passport application form is the first step in world travel as they are the fundamental documents produced by the government that allow citizens to leave and reenter the country. With the right set of documents, this application process can be completed in under an hour.
Keep in mind at all times that a passport is the most important document that must be acquired before any citizen can enter or exit the country. The United States government always has the final say in who exits and reenters the country. It is a document that also aids in the government protecting citizens from dangers abroad by allowing citizens to gain access to embassies in different countries.
Because of their high level of importance, a prospective recipient of a passport must fill out all necessary paperwork. This paper trail aids the government in following movements of citizens and visitors alike to promote the interests of national security. Locating a passport agency, such as a county store, is where one goes to begin this process.
People who wish to acquire a passport must do so in person at one of these passport offices. To purchase a passport, a citizen must be able to prove to government officials both their identity and citizenship. To do this, prospective travelers must bring documents such as a valid driver’s license, green card, birth certificate, social security card, or an old undamaged passport with them to the office.
Photographs on the passport are also a major step in the application process. Most offices will take the picture of a citizen on the date of the application, but a picture taken in the last six months can also be substituted. These pictures must be up to date and show the citizen in their normal clothes to guard against cases of mistaken identity. To guard against forgery, passports contain two pictures and a seal.
After all personal information is taken and both identity and citizenship are proven, a citizen now simply has to pay a nominal fee to the government to obtain their passport booklet. First time applicants will have to pay $95 dollars with an added $25 dollar execution fee for processing. Passports expire every ten years; so renewing a passport also costs a fee of $95 dollars. Minors’ passports cost slightly cheaper.
After a passport is sent to a citizen, it is their responsibility to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. International criminals and other nefarious people would love nothing more to obtain a U.S. passport so if one is stolen or lost, the government should be notified immediately. Because of their importance, penalties and fines for replacing lost or stolen passports have been put into place.
Traveling the world gives insight and knowledge to citizens who choose to go abroad. The passport application forms is the first fundamental step in acquiring a document that allows the freedom to see the world. These documents are important to governments and citizens alike and should be guarded carefully. Visit a US passport office to get your application process under way.
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