How to Apply for a Passport

Having a passport was once only for travelers with extensive international travel plans, but now it is required for visits to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean as well — even if you’re driving or going by cruise ship.

If you don’t have one, and have summer plans that include international travel, you need to apply right away.  The State Department is expecting the number of applications to soar, as new regulations go into effect.

To apply for a passport, you will need to have a passport photo taken.  This must be a headshot, with a neutral expression (this means no big smiles), and your eyes open.  It should be taken in front of a white or other very light colored background.  There are lots of places you can have a passport photo taken (Costco,  Kinko’s/FedEx, and many camera stores), or you can take your own photo and upload it to a service like ePassportPhoto.  After uploading the photo, you will have a couple of choices to print the photos yourself, send them to a printing service, or other options.  Photos are FREE, or a premium service is offered for $6.95.  You will need to copies of the photo to go with you application.

You can download the passport application from the U.S. State Department and print it out.  If this is your first passport, or if the passport is for someone  you will need to apply for your passport in person.  There are a few other times when you will need to apply in person, so it would be worthwhile to check.  Bring your filled out application, photos, evidence of citizenship, and identification along with you.

If you are applying for a renewal of your passport, you should print out the form, fill in, and mail it in.  Again, you will need two photos.

Fees can vary, depending on whether you are seeking a first passport, a renewal, and how you apply.  You can check the schedule of passport application fees to see which apply to you.  If you need your passport in a hurry, there are a variety of expediting methods — but they’re going to cost you an expedited handling fee along with overnight delivery charges.

The stated time frame for turnaround is six weeks, and you can follow the status of your application online.  If time is running out and you haven’t received your passport you can give them a call.  I had to do this, and it turned out that my renewal somehow got lost in the system.  When I hadn’t received in two days before I was set to travel, I was directed to my local passport agency who issued it that same day.

Photo credit: SXC