A passport is an official document which contains the holder's relevant personal information along with his/her citizenship, allowing for travel to other countries under the protection of the parent government.
Applying for a US passport is a fairly easy speedy process. Just follow the step by step instructions mentioned below and contact the designated organizations to complete the process.
There are two ways you can get a US Passport; either normally or getting it expedited. The latter can yield passports in less than a day. But not everyone qualifies for it, and also this isn't a service that the US government markets. For your convenience, we are going to look at both.
What is a Passport?
A passport allows you to travel over international demarcated boundaries. If you are a legitimate citizen of any country, you are legally entitled to a passport. If you meet the eligibility criteria set by your government, you can own and travel with ease.
Passport application is a very simple process in the United States. There are two different types:
- Passport Book
- Passport Card
The book allows you to travel to any country by any medium such as land, air or water.
A passport card is relatively easier to obtain and allows you to travel only by land or sea. So you can travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, for example, with a passport card.
How to Get a Passport
Applying for a passport is as simple as filling out the DS-11 form. You can either print the pdf version and fill it, or fill it online and then print it. Once you fill it, you need to go in person and submit it. Make sure to sign the form in the agent's presence who is overseeing the process because genuine proof of identification is required. There are many Passport Application Acceptance Facilities and you need to submit a few more documents including:
- Proof of your citizenship
- Valid Identification card
- Photocopy of Identification card
- Valid photo
- Application and processing fees
Where to Get a Passport?
You can fill out the passport application at home but you need to submit it either by mail or in person at any of the 28 regional passport agencies. There are also many passport application acceptance facilities that you can use, click here to find the ones closest to you.
What Are Passport Requirements?
All citizens of the United States of America are eligible to be passport holders. Asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants are eligible too though the scope of selection differs in this case.
Passport Fees
The cost and processing time of a passport depends on whether you apply for a card or a book. Here are the closest estimates of how much you will have to pay depending on the type:
| Passport Type: | Fee: |
| Passport Book (Adults) | $135 |
| Passport Card (Adults) | $55 |
| Passport Book (Minors) | $135 |
| Passport Card (Minors) | $55 |
| Expediting Fee for New Passport | $65+$135 |
| Expediting Fee for Passport Renewal | $65+$110 |
Passport Processing Time (Routine And Expedited)
All the information mentioned below is taken directly from the National Passport Center. If you're hiring a consulting passport expediting company, the underlying differences and prices mentioned above might vary. The cost details mentioned below are in accordance with the new policies announced on Monday, June 20, 2016.
It is to be noted that you may not always get a positive response. The United States government is at discretion to reject your application as they deem fit. You will get your acceptance or rejection letter in the time mentioned below.
Routine Passport Service
According to the National passport center, a normal routine passport application takes 6 weeks from the time of application.
Expedited Passport Service
After paying $60 dollars on top of the regular processing fee and submitting the correct paperwork, your application will be processed within 8 business days. This time starts as soon as your application is received, so if the date of receipt is later then expected, that extra time adds up. You will receive your passport or rejection letter within 3 weeks at your doorstep.
Expedited Passport Agency
Your application will be processed within 8 business days by the time it's received.
According to a set of rules released on January 1, 2015 and as defined in 22 CFR 51.56: the standard time for expedited passport processing is 8 business days, from the receipt of your submitted passport application at the certified Passport Agency to the date your expedited passport processing is approved, if it's already at the agency.
The process of expedited passport is considered complete once the passport is ready to be picked up or mailed to the applicant. Please do note that delivery times are outside the control of passport agencies and can take more than 8 business days.