The Passport Services Office, USA, provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace, or change a passport. Only the U.S. Department of State is authorized to grant, issue, or verify United States passports. Now how to get a USA passport? Here goes detailed information on the procedure to obtain a USA passport.
To acquire a passport for the first time, the applicant needs to go in person to one of the 7,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of himself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification like the driving license. There are 13 regional passport agencies, and one Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks, or who need foreign visas for travel.
Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.
The application procedure includes the following in brief:
1. Providing application for passport through Form DS-11;
2. Providing current proof of US citizenship such as birth certificate or previous passport or in case there is none, a letter of no record issued by the state (documents will be returned with the issued passport). In case of minors under the age of 14, citizenship evidence submitted for them must list both parents' names;
3. Current proof of identity (like a driving license). For a minor under the age of 14, both parents or legal guardians must present evidence of identity during time of applying;
4. Two passport photographs;
5. Total fees of $97 for 16 years or older and $82 for below 16 years of age;
6. Cocial security number (failing to provide which will lead to $500 penalty)
• Renewal of a U.S. Passport:
Criteria for renewing passport are:
1. Applicant's most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged;
2. Applicant received the passport within the past 15 years;
3. Applicant was over age 16 when it was issued;
4. Applicant has the same name, or can legally document his/her name change.
• Documents required for renewing passport:
1. Completed Application Form DS-82;
2. Most recent passport;
3. Two identical passport photographs;
4. A fee of $67 payable to the U.S. Department of State;
5. Certified copy of the legal document specifying applicant's name change (In case applicant's name has changed since his/her last passport was issued)
If applicant needs the passport urgently, he/she may request Expedited Service (It will take about two weeks to process as against about six weeks taken by the normal processing).
Or for normal delivery, the application has to be mailed to:
National Passport Center
P.O. Box 371971
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7971
