Are you a first-time traveler who wants to take your first trip abroad? Before you go looking for tickets, planning an itinerary, or searching for hotels, you've got to get yourself a passport. But how do you go about getting the all-important little blue book?
I've had my passport for a while, but I still remember the joy I experienced when I was able to finally leave the country for the first time. To help you find that same joy with as little pain as possible, I've broken the process down into a few easy steps, so that you won't have any excuse NOT to get one.
Only US Citizens can get a US Passport. Whether you're a natural born citizen, a naturalized citizen, or even a US citizen who was born overseas to American parents, you're eligible to get a US Passport (as long as you can prove it.)
There are a few things you'll need to get a passport:
- Proof Of Citizenship
- Completed DS-11 form (woo, paperwork!)
- 2 Passport Photos
- Acceptable Photo ID (valid driver's license, government id, or military id)
- Money for fees ($100 if you're over 16, $85 if you're under 16)
- 2 checks, for above fees
To make the whole process simpler, faster, and as painless as possible, here are the steps I'd follow to get my passport:
Step 1: Find your proof of citizenship.
If you were born in the US, you'll need to track down your birth certificate. Make sure you get an original copy, certified by the city, county or state where you were born.
How do you know it's the original, certified copy?
A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. Please note, some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes.
If you don't have an original copy, you need to contact the city, state, or county government where you were born and get a new, certified copy sent to you. This can take more time and money, depending on where you're from.
If you are a naturalized citizen, you'll need your Naturalization Certificate in order to get your passport. If you were born to US Citizens in a foreign country, then you'll need a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth. If you need this document and don't have it already, it's yet something else to apply for, so get typing!
Step 2: Get the dreaded passport photo.
Unfortunately, getting a passport means getting a passport photo. Just like when you got your driver's license, you'll be subjected to unflattering lighting and poses. Unlike the driver's license process, you're not guaranteed to be able to get your photo taken when you apply. I'd recommend that you go somewhere that knows how to take an official passport photo, such as a photographer, drug store, or even your local AAA office.
When I got my first passport photos, I headed down to my local AAA office. They had me taken care of in a matter of minutes, for a nominal fee. Get a haircut that you like before you go, though, because you're stuck with that photo for 10 years. Mine...is horrible.
Step 3: Round up money for fees.
Money makes the world go 'round, and it takes money for you to go 'round the world.
- For anyone over 16 years of age, the total cost is $100 US: $75 application fee, plus a $25 execution fee.
- For sub-16 year old applicants, the total cost is a little less, coming in at $85: $60 application fee plus the $25 execution fee.
One very important, but annoying, detail about paying this fee is that you'll have to pay with not one, but two seperate checks. The first, payable to the Department of State, covers the application fee. The second, payable to the facility where you actually apply, covers the cost of executing your application.
Step 4: Fill out the application.
The next, and almost final step, is to fill out the passport application itself. It's relatively simple, you can fill it out online (and print it) or print a blank copy(PDF) and fill it out by hand. Either way, be sure NOT to sign it until you are actually applying in person.
Step 5: Hand over application, money, photos, and any proof you were ever born.
The last, but not least, step is to gather your completed application, your 2 checks, 2 copies of your passport photo, your proof of citizenship, and a photo id, then head over to your local passport acceptance facility.
Most are post offices, but in a few places you can go to courthouses, county offices, or other government facilities. The simplest way to find your closest acceptance facility is to use this handy search form. But, if for some reason this website is down, I'd call around to your local post offices and find out which ones accept passport applications.
Once you're there, all you have to do is wait in line, sign your forms, pay your fees, and hand over any proof that you were born or are a citizen. Be prepared, they're going to mail your birth certificate, etc. along with your application, so you'll be without it for a while. I was a little taken aback at first when they took it, but have no fear, because you'll get it back when you get your passport.
Once you're all done, all you have to do (and can do) is wait for that all-important envelope to arrive in the mail. Then, you're free to travel the world, and fill up those pages with stamps!
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