certified birth certificate

Nov 4 2011

American Passport Requirements Plus Your Documents

Foreign travel has become very popular. When you travel anywhere, you have to be prepared ahead of time. This will include documents and you need to know about the US passport requirements.

A Passport Is A Good Idea

Gone are the days of just crossing borders as we travel. We are now required to have a valid passport to enter or leave a foreign country. And for that to happen, we have to meet certain requirements.

Form DS-11

For your first passport, you have to apply in person at an acceptance facility or a passport agency. This could be a Post Office or library designated to accept applications. The application form, the DS-11, is available online and can be filled out on your computer or by hand.

Passport Offices

After you have filled in your application form with everything but your signature, take it to either a Post Office or an acceptance facility. At that time, they will collect your documents and verify your signature. You will also pay for the passport at this time.

Paperwork Required

You will also have to have with you, proof of US citizenship. There are several documents that are acceptable. A certified birth certificate issued by your state of birth, a certificate of naturalization or a consular report of a birth abroad certificate are all acceptable forms of identification.

Other Documents

Early public records along with a letter of no record will work as secondary evidence if you do not have your birth certificate. Some births are not recorded in a timely manner, within a year of birth, but delayed birth certificates are available. Again, this will be secondary evidence.

Passports For Children

If you are born in a foreign country of an American parent, you will need to have your birth certificate from your country of birth, translated into English. You will also need evidence of citizenship of the American parent. Along with that, you will need your parents wedding certificate and a statement about the parents time and residence in the United States before going abroad.

Copy Of Documents

Photocopies of the required documents will also be needed. Copy on one side of the page only and be sure that nothing else is on the paper. Be sure to copy both sides of all of your documents.

Passport Varieties

Choosing which type of passport you are applying for will determine the cost. You can choose just the passport book or a passport card or both. When in the States, you can also have the passport expedited for an additional fee. Fees for persons under sixteen years old are lower.

Passport Photographs

Photos can now be taken at home rather than just by a photographer but there are still strict requirements in place. Before having the photo done, make sure that you understand all of the procedures that need to be met.

When you have all of your documents and your United States passport application application assembled, you are ready to go to the designated facility. At the designated facility they will verify your signature and be sure that you understand the USA Passport requirements. After you have paid your fee, all that is left is the wait, usually four to six weeks.

By Marco_111 • Las Vegas Travel Deals • • Tags: , ,

Oct 4 2011

Do You Know Procedures To Do If Your Pasport Is Damaged

When one notices his passport is damaged the prudent action is to get a replacement right away. Immediate action prevents untoward delays in any future plans one might have in travelling. It is fortunate that right now, a clear procedure exists in having this document replaced with a new one. This article summarizes what steps there are to be done.

Get A New One

While everyone has the right to say that the damage is only minor and his passport is still valid, such thinking is actually counter-productive. He should anticipate this scenario happening to him one day. He is in a foreign land handing his passport to the inspector. The inspector notices the damage and declares that it is invalid. He is denied entry and all that money is wasted. Incidents like this have happened. What is unfortunate is that the inspector has the last word and nothing can be done to change it.

Form DS-11

Those getting a replacement for a damaged passport are considered new applicants. So they have to gather the required paperwork for a new application. These documents are a certified birth certificate and a completed Form DS-11. They also need to get a passport-sized photo.

Birth Certificate

Long-time passport holders who are getting a replacement should know about a recent ruling regarding the use of the birth certificate as an attachment to the application. This rule states that this document should now contain the names of the applicant’s parents. When these names are not present, it means that the application cannot proceed. The missing data must be provided by the applicant.

You May Have To Go In Person

After completing the paperwork, the applicants have to present themselves at the nearest acceptance center. They will be interviewed and their documents inspected. After satisfying the documentation, they will be asked to pay for the replacement processing fee. There are two types of fees. One is for a regular application and the other is for the expedited processing fee.

Expedited Processing

The faster process is more expensive and it already includes payment for the application and an express delivery of the replacement papers. An expedited process will take three weeks or less to accomplish. A regular application for replacing the document takes not less than a month to finish.

Processing Fee

After one week has passed after paying the processing fee, the status of your application can be monitored on line. This web tracking service is available to all applicants provided they log in with their last names, date of birth, and the last four parts of their Social Security Number. Note that this is a free service.

After getting the replacement, the owners should be more careful in handling their passports. This could be one of the most important personal documents anyone can possess. While it is true that money was spent in replacing this document, the cost is very small compared to cancelled flights and tickets the moment it is realized that your passport is invalid. Soon after you notice that your You can also get a pass port is damaged., move quickly to have it replaced as soon as possible. You can also get a next day United States passport.

By Marco_111 • Las Vegas Travel Deals • • Tags: , , , , ,

Sep 4 2010

Kids Passports: Their Key To The World

International travel is a great way to show your kids the world first-hand. However, just like an adult, your child will need a passport. There are some topics about passport for minors that receive many questions, and by knowing a little bit about these concepts, you can feel confident when you travel around the world with your children in tow. More →

By admin • Las Vegas Travel Deals • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,