How to Apply for a U.S. Passport

United States passports are granted to U.S. citizens and non-citizen Nationals for international travel. The U.S. passport arrives in both book and card forms. The U.S. passport card is only applicable for North American travel between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean islands. The U.S. passport specifies the carrier's origin, identity, and is subject to prevailing international law.

Americans seeking to travel abroad must complete the passport application, along with proof of U.S. citizenship, identity, two photographs, and the requisite fees. These fees total $115 to process the application and take passport photos per the U.S. Post Office at the time of this writing.

The undergoing usually takes 4-6 weeks, but Americans may remit extra payments to accelerate the process, or visit rushmypassport.com for same-day service at $135.

Children younger than the age of 16 must have both parents present, along with identification and proof of the parent / child relationship in order to apply. In the event that only one parent appears, notarized statements must be supplied granting consent of the second parent or proving sole authority over the child.

The State Department controls regulations pertaining to the U.S. passport. Americans may complete and print off the passport application package online via the State Department website. Still, the actual process is always executed in-person at authorized post offices, passport agencies, or U.S. Embassies.

Passport agencies are located at Boston, Chicago, Aurora (Denver), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Norwalk, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington. The passport agency transacts business by appointment only.

The purpose of this important guide is to thoroughly explain the U.S. passport application process to Americans. Take heed, all willful false statements declared upon the required paperwork are punishable by a court of law.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport: Proof of U.S. Citizenship Documents

Applicants will remit a certified birth certificate or even an old passport to prove U.S. citizenship. Lost paperwork or birth certificates that were filed more than one year after your date of birth must be supplemented with hospital birth records, school documents, or newspaper clippings. Americans should also attach notarized affidavits in the event that the official birth certificate cannot be presented.

Foreign-born travelers attempting to secure a current U.S. passport will remit an old U.S. passport, report of birth abroad, or certificates of naturalization and citizenship.

Of course, foreign-born persons may achieve U.S. citizenship through having U.S. citizen parents, adoption into the U.S., or via the naturalization of their parents. Consular Reports of Birth, proof of parental citizenship, foreign birth certificates, and documentation of permanent residence status are all critical paperwork that must be supplied by U.S. passport applicants born outside of the United States.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport: Proof of Identity

Passport applicants must verify their identity upon submitting the application to the passport agency. U.S. citizens will carry a previous U.S. passport, driver's license, military identification, government employee identification, certificate of naturalization, or certificate of citizenship, which carries a signature and physical description to establish identity.

U.S. citizens that are unable to present said documents must arrive with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien citizen. This person must present a signed Affidavit of Identifying Witness and proof of their own identity to help complete the process.

Additionally, the applicant will also supply two copies of color photographs that have been taken within the past six months. The State Department has outlined instructions for these photographs, which specify that the images are 2 by 2 inches in size, with your face taking up 1 to 1 - 3/8 inches vertically over a plain background.

Americans are to wear normal street attire, without headgear or shaded glasses, unless mandated per religious or medical purposes.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport: Complete the Application

Completing the application is straightforward and relatively simple.

The application may be retrieved online from the U.S. State Department web site.

The paper materials may be picked up from Federal or State courts of record, designated municipal officials, authorized post offices, U.S. Embassies, or nationwide passport agencies. I would advise that Americans fill out the items in print with black ink.

The paperwork calls for name, address, emergency contact information, occupation, physical description, and marital status. The materials also request the date of birth, place of birth, and U.S. citizenry status of your parents.

Lastly, applicants must not sign the application until they have been administered the 5-part oath by the passport agent.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport: Fees

Travelers will visit travel.state.gov for current fees. By law, these payments are non-refundable. Typically payments are to be made to the "U.S. Department of State," which accepts checks, money orders, and major credit cards.

Designated acceptance facilities may require that checks are made payable to that particular location and may not accept credit card payments.

Applicants also maintain the option of electing to rush processing times and request overnight delivery. Of course, this extra service arrives at a cost.

U.S. passport applicants will expect to pay between $100 and $150 at the time of this writing.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport: Conclusions

The general processing time takes 4-6 weeks to receive your U.S. passport.

The passport is valid for 10 years from the date of issuance for carriers aged 16 and older. The passport is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance for bearers that are younger than 16.

Always remember to represent the Stars and Stripes well and with pride, internationally.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport, Sources:

U.S. State Department - Passport Home, http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

The United States Government, http://www.usa.gov/

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis