Completing a passport application can be tedious, but errors can cause delays. Tips include reading instructions carefully, applying early, using correct photo style, and including all necessary documents. Passport renewal applications should be submitted 8-11 months before expiration. Proper identification and two identical passport photos are required. The final step is to sign the passport and enclose payment, ensuring no mistakes are made. Photocopies of all documents should be made before sending to the appropriate regional office.
Filling out a passport application can be a tedious process, and a single mistake can delay the issuance of the document, which can disrupt travel plans. Approximately 80% of countries in the world require foreign visitors to present a valid passport before entering. The best tips for completing your passport application include writing neatly, reading the instructions carefully, applying early, using the correct passport photo style, and making sure all necessary documents are included with your application.
Travelers must initiate the passport application process at least 90 days before the departure date and, if possible, earlier. The application process depends on how busy the regional passport office is. While many people get their passports within a few weeks, it’s better to err on the side of caution than to be caught without a passport on the day of departure. Passport renewal applications must be submitted between eight and 11 months before the expiration date because many countries require travelers’ passports to be at least six months before expiration.
There are several types of passport applications, including one for children, one for renewals, and one for first-time applicants. Getting the shape right is vital, as the wrong shape is grounds for rejection. Those completing the passport application should read the instructions carefully, use the appropriate color ink, and print as neatly as possible. Children’s passports usually require signatures from both parents or an affidavit explaining why this isn’t possible.
Applying for a passport requires you to submit some forms of identification along with your documents. Typically, a certified copy of a birth certificate is required, often with an embossed seal, and photocopies are not accepted. A second form of identification, such as a driver’s license, may be required, and copies are usually acceptable for these documents. When renewing a passport, the old passport is sufficient for identification, provided it is not damaged or mutilated.
Along with the passport application and proper identification, two identical recent passport photos are required. Typically, they should be two inches by two inches in size, with a plain white background. While the photo can be taken at home and resized in photo editing software, going to a place that specializes in passport photos ensures that the photos meet specific requirements.
Once you have filled out the passport application and ensured that all the correct documents and photos are attached, the final step is to sign the passport and enclose payment, usually in the form of a personal check. Applicants should review the document carefully and ensure they have signed in all the appropriate places. The check must be for the exact amount requested, completed in an orderly manner, signed and dated appropriately. A small mistake can slow down the entire process, and errors in signatures and payment submissions often occur.
Before sending the passport application to the appropriate address, photocopies of each page must be made, including all accompanying documents, the two photographs and the check used to pay. Correct postage should be applied and the address should be double checked to ensure it is going to the appropriate regional office. Passport requirements from country to country.
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