Passport question- need help

[tink11]

We are planning a Sept. 2007 cruise, so we have time to get our passports. My question is My two brothers were born in Canada to U.S. citizens and have lived in the U.S. their entire lives. They both served in the military too. What do they have to do to get a passport? They are both worried about it so we are starting to get the info early. Any advice?

 

[DrCavin]

I am going to *assume* they are US Citizens. You ill probably have to look on this web-site on who to contact to get an offical answer: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

 

[TiggerKing]

If their parents were US Citizens living abroad (or in this case, up north) who still maintained their US citizenship, then they are in fact citizens of the US. They will have a different kind of birth certificate, but it still should be no problem for them to obtain a passport.

Just remember, when it comes to passports, you can never provide the State Dept. with too much information!

 

[Jsme]

I haven't a clue on what you have to do to get a passport. I figure the first step would be to get the applications. Do you send your birth certificate off with the application? I am going to be starting this process in a few months.

 

[goofymama]

I haven't a clue on what you have to do to get a passport. I figure the first step would be to get the applications. Do you send your birth certificate off with the application? I am going to be starting this process in a few months.

You can get the applications and instructions on line (search US Passports), however, you have to appear in person the first time you get a passport (renewals can generally be done by mail). The Passport site will als tell you where to apply in your area.

 

[TiggerKing]

I haven't a clue on what you have to do to get a passport. I figure the first step would be to get the applications. Do you send your birth certificate off with the application? I am going to be starting this process in a few months.

You will have to send off your actual birth certificate with the application, as well as 2 passport photos. The birth certificate must be the long form, and not the pocket version, must have a raised seal or official stamp (depending on the state), and must state your parents, city of birth, and the location where the official BC is filed. It really is a painless process, and many post offices have the application and can take the photos for you as well as send to the State Dept.

 

[Honu]

If their parents were US Citizens living abroad (or in this case, up north) who still maintained their US citizenship, then they are in fact citizens of the US. They will have a different kind of birth certificate, but it still should be no problem for them to obtain a passport.

Just remember, when it comes to passports, you can never provide the State Dept. with too much information!

My grandfather was born in the Philippines. Both his parents were US citizens and my grandfather also served in the Navy. He was granted a special visa to travel to Italy once, but he was not eligible to receive a US passport. I know there are some instances when being born out of the country is an issue, but I'm not sure what they are.

 

[Jsme]

Do you get your birth certificate back? I only have one and it is my orginial. I was adopted and if I want a new one I have to send off for it from Raleigh in order to get one.

 

[DrCavin]

Do you get your birth certificate back? I only have one and it is my orginial. I was adopted and if I want a new one I have to send off for it from Raleigh in order to get one.

I am pretty sure that you get it back, could not find anything saying for certain you do or dont...

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

You will absolutely get your birth certificate back. I applied for a passport about 6 years ago, and then got mine renewed/name changed 4 years ago when I got married and then I had to send in my original marriage license as well. I have always received everything back in the same packet as the passport. We just sent in a renewal for my husbands (his would expire in 06) and all we needed to do was send in a check ($67.00 or so) 2 photos (we did our own) and filled out the form printed off the government website, as well as his old passport. When you renew, you get your old passport back as well with a hole punched through it to signify non-validity. Once you go through the first process of getting a passport, be sure to keep it up every 10 years. It was a breeze.

 

[noahsmom]

Our passports arrived last week. It took exactly 6 weeks and the original birth certificates are returned with the passports.

We are now ready to go to Canada next week (even though they are not yet required, it will be easier than id's and birth certs) and for our cruise next summer!!