Getting Your Very First Passport Is Simple
Because you’ll be dealing a lot with forms,
it pays to be familiar with the different forms used in passport
applications. Some forms are used to apply for passports; others are
used to renew passports; others are for reporting the loss or theft of
passports. Now since you’re likely applying for a passport for the
first time, let’s deal with the first type of passport.
For first-time passport applicants, the DS-11 form is the one that
needs to be filled out. Unlike the pre-Internet days where you had to
go to the passport office to obtain the form, now all you need to do is
download this form at the US Department of State’s office website. Once
you’ve downloaded it, you can fill the form in before printing it, or
you can just print it first then fill it in by hand.
You will need to submit this form along with the other documents that
may be required of you once you have completed this. When processing
your passport, you have two options of going about this procedure. The
first one is the routine passport processing, which you can choose if
you’re not in a hurry to get your passport. Currently, the processing
time for routine passports is four to six weeks.
However, if you don’t have time to spare, then you’ll have to have your
passport application expedited. Expedited passports are given priority
over routine ones, which dramatically cut the processing times for
expedited ones. So if you already need to travel in less than four
weeks, have your application expedited.
Expedited passports are typically processed within a two to three week
timeframe. This is the processing option of those who already have
tickets for travel in less than two weeks. Aside from that, people who
need to apply for a foreign visa in four weeks also opt to get an
expedited passport.
Since expedited passports are a form of value-added service, it’s
already a given that this service will also come with an extra price.
Don’t worry though, as the extra price isn’t that steep. In fact, the
price already pays for itself in terms of processing speed and
convenience that it gives you.
When it comes to applying for a New Passport, you have two options to go
about it. First, you can choose the routine passport processing that
doesn’t require an extra fee, but may be too slow if you need to travel
soon. Then there’s the expedited Passport processing. The price that
you pay for this kind of service is offset by the convenience and speed
that it affords you.
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