Obtaining A Passport For The First Time Does Not Have To Be Difficult

Anyone who has travel on their calendar in the upcoming months is going to need to getting your United States passport. Recent changes to travel laws mean that even travel to the Caribbean or places like Mexico or Canada require passport documents. This has resulted in many travelers getting a passport for the first time.

Getting a document such as this does not have to be a big deal as long as some basic guidelines are followed. There are some things that need to be taken care of before anyone ever walks into a passport office to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Knowing about the process will go a long way in making sure that everything is done right and the right materials are secured.

First, keep in mind that rules and laws can change in a moment’s notice. Because of that, it is recommended that before actually heading out to the passport office that the State Department’s website is checked for the materials that are needed and what types of travel require a passport. While we have a synopsis of it here, by the time you are reading it, it could very well be outdated.

The first step in getting a new passport is getting passport photos. These must be taken prior to the trip to the application center. Pharmacies with photo labs are the best place to get passport pictures taken because they will crop the pictures to the proper specifications. These pictures are often relatively inexpensive.

Passport photos must be taken in street attire. The applicant should not smile in the photograph. Applicants that typically wear eyeglasses, a hearing device, a wig, or any other unique device that is worn daily should be sure to wear this item in the photograph. Passport photos should not be taken in any sort of uniform.

Next, the applicant must have all of their documents in order. A valid, government issued ID is required. This would include a state non-drivers license, a driver’s license, and military ID. They will also need proof of citizenship in the United States. In most cases, this is proven with a birth certificate. It is also best to make a photocopy of all of these documents that are being used.

When all information is finally together, the trip to the application center can finally be made. The USPS is a common outlet for passport application centers, but not all post offices accept applications. It is best to go on their website and search under government services to see the post office that is located the closest that can perform this service.

Clearly, obtaining a passport for the first time can be a time consuming process. Because passports are so important to our own national security, and the national security of other nations, our government needs to make sure that new pasport applicants are legitimate. The resulting process is time consuming, but necessary.