Passport Anyone?

[pjlla]

If anyone wears glasses, take them off for the passport photo. My son's first photo was rejected because of glare. We did the retakes without glasses.

Both parents have to be there (I believe) for minors, or at least sign some paperwork, unless you're divorced. I had to turn my son's application with my divorce decree stating I had full legal custody (whew!). Glad we didn't have joint custody, as my ex was in Afghanistan at the time!

Actually, they questioned DS recently when he showed up at the P.O. wearing his glasses, but I took his passport photo without them. They are fairly new and he doesn't wear them all the time, so I figured NBD to take the picture without them, but she definitely questioned it. So if your DD wears glasses ALL THE TIME... she should have them on in the photo... but you do have to be careful about glare.

Thx everyone. I neglected to say that she is 18. Neither me or my husband has ever gotten a passport. She is going away for her senior trip and needs one and I know nothing about it. Thanks for your help.

Her being an adult makes this MUCH easier for you. She can do it all herself! In addition to the passport application she just needs an ORIGINAL birth certificate (with the raised seal), her ID (such as her driver's license), her photo and a check.

Not every post office has a passport desk, so make sure that you check before you go!

And even if your local P.O. has a passport desk, the hours may NOT be the same as the P.O. hours. Our closest P.O. with a passport clerk has hours from 10 am - 2 pm, M-F, which meant I had to pull the kids out of school early to make it there, with them, before the passport hours ended.

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It is EASY. Don't be intimidated. We recently got DS's passport expedited because of COURSE I procrastinated on getting it done. We were willing to pay the fee because we were getting nervous, but most folks assured us that even without the expediting service we would have had the passport within plenty of time. But the work involved in getting the dang thing expedited was MORE than if we had just done it the "slow" way a few months ago!

And it isn't that hard to take a good passport photo yourself at home. There are direction and a drag-and-drop template on the US government passport website. I did BOTH of my kids passport photos at home in the past few years without any problems. Saved me a few dollars and the hassle of going somewhere both times. And I plan to do the same for myself, as I am applying for my first passport this month!

Good luck to DD on her travels!............P

 

[KennesawNemo]

I just applied DD's passport.

There are faster ways, but they more expensive.

You can save in two ways:

1. Depend where your DD is going, you may be able to use a passport card instead of a passport book. A card is cheaper.

2. Taking passport picture is really not that hard. Do it yourself and print it as a 4x6. There are plenty websites online giving you tips and helping you edit the photo.

 

[crisi]

2. Taking passport picture is really not that hard. Do it yourself and print it as a 4x6. There are plenty websites online giving you tips and helping you edit the photo.

This I wouldn't do unless you have a lot of time and are willing to take the risk, or know what you are doing. For $9 at CVS or $5 at Costco, I wouldn't risk it.

The State Department is really picky about those photos - background, how much of your head in the the frame, size. And they will reject the application if the photo is "wrong."

It isn't hard - but you need to make sure you have the proper documentation and a good photo and have filled out the form completely. Anything wrong with any of those, and the application will be rejected. The State Department doesn't care if you travel or not - their concern is that your passport meets their security needs.

 

[KennesawNemo]

This I wouldn't do unless you have a lot of time and are willing to take the risk, or know what you are doing. For $9 at CVS or $5 at Costco, I wouldn't risk it.

The State Department is really picky about those photos - background, how much of your head in the the frame, size. And they will reject the application if the photo is "wrong."

It isn't hard - but you need to make sure you have the proper documentation and a good photo and have filled out the form completely. Anything wrong with any of those, and the application will be rejected. The State Department doesn't care if you travel or not - their concern is that your passport meets their security needs.

You do have a good point.

So, let me rephrase it, if you have ample time between your application and your trip?

My trip is not untill May so I am not worried at all. I have always take passport pictures myself, never had any problems.

 

[Lewisc]

The passport card can't be used for air travel.
It doesn't take hours, unless it takes you hours to find your birth certificate.

You can complete the form in 5-10 minutes. Maybe 10 minutes to have a passport picture taken. Less then half an hour at the post office.

I wouldn't take my own picture. One more thing that can go wrong. Passport office doesn't accept your picture you might need to pay for expedited service in order to get your passport in time. The clerk screening your application at the post office might not pick up the issue.

 

[Debbie7452]

I would not get the passport card. We got the full passports for our cruise. We could have only gotten the card. However, my adult daughter has found the need since then, to use her full passport 3 more times. If you're going to go through the hassle, you might as well get the full one. You never know what might come up in the future.

Oh, and ours came in about 2 weeks without being expedited. Be prepared for them to TAKE your birth certificate. They mail it back to you with the passport. I was a little surprised by that part.

 

[KennesawNemo]

I would not get the passport card. We got the full passports for our cruise. We could have only gotten the card. However, my adult daughter has found the need since then, to use her full passport 3 more times. If you're going to go through the hassle, you might as well get the full one. You never know what might come up in the future.

Oh, and ours came in about 2 weeks without being expedited. Be prepared for them to TAKE your birth certificate. They mail it back to you with the passport. I was a little surprised by that part.

Yes, I was very surprised that they took DD's birthday certificate! I didn't remember them doing that when DS applied, but it has been a while.

The staff at the post office said they'll mail it back to us.

 

[DawnS]

We received our passports this week, took 3 weeks to the date of our appt. at our local post office.
Our birth certs were not mailed back with the passports but did arrive a couple of days later. We each received two pieces of mail, one with the passport, one with the birth cert. you would think since we all applied at the same time they would mail everything in one envelope.

Dawn

 

[My3kiddos]

The State Department website has a section on Passports, including full explanation of the process and fees and download of the form. Go to http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/new.html Not all post offices handle passport applications, but those that do all require an appointment, you can't just walk in. Would recommend checking on this asap as some locations are booked quite a while in advance.

When reading through the info on the website, make particular note of the fees and how they can be paid. And from experience I would highly recommend having the form completely filled out when you go to the appointment as it will save you a lot of time and stress.

Good luck and hope she has a good trip!

Not all post offices require an appointment. The post office in Lexington KY is first come first serve so you stand in line. No appointments are taken.