How to Get Your First Passport: A Step-by-Step Guide
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Getting your first passport can seem like an impossible task. There are all sorts of rules, regulations, and fees that make getting a passport feel more like an obstacle course than simply showing proof of identity. Fortunately, the process isn’t as complicated as it seems. The process is relatively simple if you’re an adult born in the U.S. The documents you need to get your first passport vary depending on a few factors, but once you have the information we provide here and know where to go, obtaining your first passport is pretty straightforward and painless.
Who Can Get a U.S. Passport?
A few different criteria determine who can get a U.S. passport. If you were born in the U.S., you could get a passport regardless of your current residency. If you were born outside of the U.S. but have a parent who was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth, you can apply for a passport. If you were born outside of the U.S. and didn’t have a parent who was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth, you can still get a passport as long as you have proof of your citizenship. The proof could be a Certificate of Citizenship, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. You should use the Department of State website to find your needed document. You can also see if you must apply for a passport renewal or a first-time passport.
Which Type of Passport Should You Get?
There are three different types of passports. The most common is the standard, ten-year, blue passport. The other two are the passport card, a smaller version of the standard passport that can only be used for travel by land or sea, and the book of stamps, a more casual version of the standard passport meant for people who travel occasionally. The standard blue passport is the only one that can be used for international travel. You can get a standard passport, whether a blue passport or a book of stamps. The passport card can be used only to cross the border by land or sea, so it’s inappropriate for international travel. The book of stamps is meant for casual travel only, which means it has fewer pages than a regular passport. It also has a different cover that’s less formal than the standard blue passport.
Step 1: Find Out If You’re Eligible to Apply
The first step in applying for a passport is determining whether you’re eligible to apply for one. You’re eligible if you were born in the U.S., have a valid driver’s license, and have a social security card. You’re also eligible if you were born outside of the U.S. and have a U.S.-issued visa. If neither of the above applies to you, you’ll need to undergo a different process. The first step is to find out which type of visa you have. If you have a visa, you’ll want to contact the nearest consulate and find out whether they can issue you a passport. You may need to apply for another type of visa first, or you may be able to get a passport without applying for anything. The consulate will let you know which is appropriate for your situation.
Step 2: Gather Documents to Prove Citizenship
The next step in getting your first passport is to gather the documents you need to prove your citizenship. You’ll need to show one of the following:
Your original birth certificate.
Your parents’ marriage certificate.
Your parents’ divorce certificate (if applicable).
Your adoption certificate (if applicable).
Your naturalization certificate.
If you don’t have any of these documents, you can get a certified copy of your original birth certificate from the state where you were born. If you were born outside of the U.S, you’d also need a passport application form, photo, and a fee. The application form for a first-time adult passport is DS-11. You can download it from the Department of State website. Once you have all the documents, you’ll need to send them, along with your passport application, to the Department of State. There’s also a place on the form where you can indicate that you want your passport to be sent to you by mail.
Step 3: Find Out the Fee and Where to Pay It
The cost of a first-time adult passport is $135. You need to pay this fee in person at a passport acceptance facility. Acceptance facilities include post offices, courthouses, libraries, and public schools. You can use the Department of State website to find your nearest acceptance facility. You’ll need to pay for your passport in cash, so make sure you have enough on hand. You’ll need to pay a $60 fee if you renew your passport. You can pay for your passport at one of the acceptance facilities listed above or online. If you choose to pay online, you’ll need to go through a third-party payment service such as PayPal. You’ll also need to have your documents ready, as the Department of State will print your new passport as soon as you pay.
Step 4: Confirm Your Identity With Biometric Data
You’ll need to confirm your identity with biometric data if you apply for your first adult passport. The Department of State will take your fingerprints and create a digital image of your face. You can do this at the acceptance facility where you’re paying for your passport, or you can go to the nearest passport agency. You’ll need to make an appointment ahead of time to go to the passport agency. Once you’re there, confirming your identity with biometric data takes just a few minutes, and you can be on your way. If you renew your passport, you don’t need to confirm your identity with biometric data. If you’re applying for a passport for the first time as a minor, you don’t need to confirm your identity with biometric data either. If you’re under 16 years of age, you can use a minor’s passport to travel. If you’re 16 or 17, you can use an adult passport with parental consent.
Getting your first passport can seem intimidating, but it’s pretty straightforward. You’ll need to gather the documents to prove your citizenship and confirm your identity with biometric data. With all of the documents in order, you must find the nearest acceptance facility and pay the fee. Once you’ve done that, you should have your new passport in a few weeks.