How to get a passport

Here is the way how to get a passport. Hope the article will bring you useful information. You can read more useful information at x2coupon.com

Apply for a First-Time Passport

You must apply for a new passport in person at the Post Office if you’ve never held a U.S. passport, are 16 years old or younger, or aren’t eligible to renew an existing passport by mail.

Step 1: Early document collection

Generally speaking, you ought to apply for a new passport as soon as you know you’ll be making international travel arrangements—at least a few months beforehand. Make careful to check the most recent State Department service estimates because processing times for passports sometimes change. Passport applications can be submitted at the Post Office by first-time applicants, minors, and anyone who require a new passport but are unable to renew it by mail. The website of the U.S. State Department outlines what you must bring.

• fillable applications (unsigned)
• A photocopy of the front and back of the identification document and proof of identity
• a copy of the front and back of a document proving your citizenship in the United States
• passport costs

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package

To find out what paperwork you need and how to apply for a passport, go to the U.S. Department of State website.

1. On the State Department website, complete your Form DS-11 Application for U.S. Passport.
2. Print off your finished application. YOUR APPLICATION SHOULD NOT BE SIGNED. Your signature must be witnessed by a Postal worker.
3. snap a photo for your passport.
4. Make photocopies of your identification and citizenship documentation.
5. Determine your fees.

• For Post Office acceptance fees, post offices take credit cards, checks, and money orders.
• Fees for the State Department are sent with your application. Payable to “U.S. Department of State,” personal, certified, cashier’s, traveler’s, or money orders are acceptable forms of payment.

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment

You must make an appointment using the online Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler or a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk since Post Offices that provide passport services have specified hours.

Booking Online

1. Click on Make an Appointment.
2. Select the passport service you require, together with the number of appointments required for adults and youngsters.
3. You can look up an appointment by date or location. If you conduct a location-based search first, you will be prompted to select a date and time; if you conduct a date-based search first, you will be prompted to select a location and time.
4. Once you’ve selected the time and place of your appointment, given your contact information, and accepted the terms and conditions.
5. Confirm your appointment by clicking Review Appointment.

Click the Manage Appointments tab, input your confirmation number, email address, or phone number, and make the necessary changes or cancellations.

Self-Service Kiosk Utilization

1. Visit a Post Office with self-service kiosks in the lobby. Locate USPS Offices
2. Touch the screen to start at the self-service kiosk, then choose “Other Services” and “Passport Scheduler.”
3. Select the passport service you require, then indicate how many appointments are required for adults and youngsters.
4. Choose a location after searching for Post Office locations by ZIP CodeTM or City/State.
5. Decide on a time and date for your appointment, then accept the terms.
6. Choose if you want to receive SMS text notifications after entering your contact information.
7. After checking and verifying your information, choose “Schedule Appointment” to complete the process.
8. Bring the printed confirmation with your appointment information and confirmation number.

Step 4: Pay Passport Acceptance & Processing Fees

The application acceptance fee and the application processing cost are the two types of basic payments for first-time passport applications. Additional costs include expedited processing fees and passport photographs. Find out how to calculate fees and how to make payment for them.

Postal Service application acceptance fees

Visit the Post Office in person to pay the acceptance fees. You can pay using a debit card, credit card, cheque or money order made out to the “Postmaster.”

• Post Office acceptance charge of $35.00
• $15 – Postal service fee for photos (if needed)

Department of State application processing fees Your application package will include payment to the Department of State. USPS fees are paid separately from State Department fees.

Department of State Fees

• various State Department passport fees Online passport fee calculator.
• Paying for State Department Services
  NOTE: Credit or debit cards cannot be used to pay State Department fees. Payable to “U.S. Department of State,” personal, certified, cashier’s, or traveler’s checks are acceptable forms of payment.
• Make your check out to the “U.S. Department of State.” At the post office, you can purchase a money order with cash, a debit card, or a traveler’s check. Credit cards are not accepted as payment.

Application Status Updates

From the time you apply until your application status is “In Process,” it could take up to 4 weeks. Your application is transported to a mail facility, your payment is handled, and it is scanned and forwarded to the U.S. Department of State all within these four weeks. For the most recent information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website at passportstatus.state.gov. Visit the Department of State’s “Passport Operations in Response to COVID-19” page for more details on current processing timeframes.

Renew a Passport by Mail

If you’re qualified to renew your passport, fill out the Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 (follow the instructions on the form’s front) and return it to the State Department for processing. Please visit State Department Renew By Mail to see if you can renew your passport by mail.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility to Renew by Mail

A minor’s passport cannot be renewed via mail; instead, a new, initial passport application must be made in person. If it satisfies the conditions, an adult passport may be renewed via mail.

If you check “Yes” to all 5 of the following questions, you can renew your adult passport by mail:

Your passport

1. is in your possession, which you should include with your application.
2. is unharmed other typical “wear and tear.”
3. was given to you when you were at least 16 years old.
4. been published within the last 15 years.
5. was granted with your current name, or you can provide proof of a name change.

(Name changes are described under Change a Passport.)

Do not mail your passport renewal application if your passport does not meet all of these standards. The same application materials that a first-time passport applicant must prepare are required of you.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package

Since many nations demand that passports remain valid for at least six months after entry, apply for renewals as soon as possible.

To ensure that your passport application is processed promptly, learn how to correctly prepare your application package and include all required papers.

1. On the State Department website, complete Form DS-82, Application for Passport Renewal.
2. Print out your DS-82 form and sign it.
3. snap a photo for your passport. An appointment for just a passport photo can be made at a Post OfficeTM location.
4. Determine the cost of renewing your passport.
5. Gather your most recent passport, the application that has been completed and signed, the renewal fees, and any documents required for a name change.
6. Pick out an envelope. Make sure the envelope you use can accommodate the application without folding it. TIP: Order Priority Mail® or Priority Mail® service and receive complimentary envelopes big enough to hold your application. Easy online ordering Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope, Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope, etc.
7. Place your state’s address on the envelope. Look at page 2 of your DS-82 form.

Step 3: Mail Your Renewal Application

The Department of State advises sending your renewal application via a USPS delivery tracking service.

Select from the available services:

• Delivery Confirmation for Priority Mail® by USPS
• Service with Signature Confirmation for Priority Mail from the USPS
• Priority Mail Express® Service from USPS (for overnight delivery requests)

Step 4: Follow Your Application Progress

Visit USPS Tracking® to learn when your package is delivered if you make use of a USPS delivery tracking service.

Using the tracking number on your receipt, you can use a USPS tracking service to determine when your application was delivered.

From the time you apply until your application status is “In Process,” it could take up to 4 weeks. Your application is transported to a mail facility, your payment is handled, and it is scanned and forwarded to the U.S. Department of State all within these four weeks. For the most recent information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website at passportstatus.state.gov. Visit the

Department of State’s “Passport Operations in Response to COVID-19” page for more details on current processing timeframes.

You can monitor the progress of your application’s processing on the Department of State website 5–6 weeks after you submit it.

Expedited Passport Delivery

Get a New Passport Faster in Emergencies & Special Cases

You can mail your passport application by Priority Mail Express® service and pay the State Department charge for expedited delivery if you require your passport sooner for an urgent trip or any unique circumstance.

Life-or-Death Emergency

For an immediate family member who is deceased, terminally ill, or suffering from an injury or sickness that poses a serious risk of life, you must fly within 72 hours (3 business days):

• To find out if you qualify, go to the Life-or-Death Emergencies page on travel.state.gov.
• These requests are only handled by appointment by the State Department.
• You must arrive at your appointment within 72 hours (3 business days) of leaving.

Urgent Travel in Less than 10 Weeks

Call the State Department Passport Agency to make an appointment if you need a passport in less than 10 weeks:

• To make an appointment, dial 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY).
• You must show proof of travel and your appointment date must be within 72 hours (3 business days) of your trip.

Note: There are other limits and a very limited number of appointments are available for customers who are traveling internationally within the next 72 hours (3 business days).

Renew Your Passport Fast

1. Your passport renewal will arrive in 10 weeks if you mail it using Priority Mail Express and pay an extra $60 for expedited service.

2. To renew your passport by mail, follow the instructions in Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility.

3. Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package for Passport Renewal by Mail describes how to prepare your application.

4. Add these additional costs to your standard processing fees; both are due to the U.S. Department of State.

• $60.00—State Department expedited application processing
• $18.32—1- to 2-day delivery service to expedite the State Department’s return shipping to you
• Write “EXPEDITE” very clearly on the outside of the envelope.

5. Send your application via Priority Mail Express to the State Department. Location affects price.

Passports for Minors Under 16

There are specific restrictions for minors under 16 applying for passports.

• A child’s passport cannot be issued without the consent of both parents or legal guardians. Going to the application process alongside both parents/guardians is the greatest approach for the youngster to offer consent.
• Children require citizenship proof.
• Parents and guardians need documentation of their parental status.
• IMPORTANT: A child’s passport is only good for five years.