How to get your first passport (The Key to Adventure)

Intro

Hello, and welcome to the first-ever post of Isaac's Epic Adventures! This article is going to cover the basics of getting the most necessary item in every traveler's bag, your passport! Your passport is absolutely essential if you want to take trips to destinations outside the country. There are actually two types of passports, the passport book, and the passport card. The difference between the two is that the passport card is not valid for air travel, and is only useful for crossing borders by land or boat, whereas the passport book can be used to travel by air as well. Regardless of which you choose, it is recommended you apply for your passport a few months before your trip, so as to avoid problems if your passport is delayed. Getting your passport isn't a super complicated process, either. Let's dive in, shall we?

When getting your passport you likely fall into one of three categories. These categories are

1. You are an adult (18+)

2. You are between the ages 16-17

3. You are a minor (15-)

The first few steps are the same for all of these groups, with some extra steps necessary for groups 2 and 3. First, you'll need a passport photo. Unfortunately, this photo has to meet these requirements:

1. The photographs must not be older than six months

2. The photographs must measure 2×2″ (5×5 cm)

3. The photographs of the applicant’s head must be between 1″ to 1 3/8″ (2.5 to 3.5 cm) when measured vertically

4. The photographs must have a white background

5. Must face the camera directly, with both ears visible

This means you probably won't be able to use a photo you took at home (or that awesome selfie from when you went surfing in Hawaii last year). Instead, you can get your photo taken professionally for a low cost near you. A few of the businesses that offer passport photo services are:

1. CVS - $15 for a pair

2. Rite Aid - $8.99

3. Walgreens - $14.99

4. Sam's Club - (Requires a membership - $5 for a pair)

A quick google search will return more businesses in your area and their prices. Additionally, you can get your photo taken directly at the acceptance facility for a small fee (~$15) This brings us to our next step, which is to find an acceptance facility near you. If you live in the city, it is likely that your post office offers passport services. If you don't live in the city or aren't sure if your post office will work, just use this link, which will help locate the nearest acceptance facility. Once you've found one, you'll need to make an appointment, which can be done through the website of the business you use. (If you are under 18, your parents may need to accompany you. Skip to below to find out more) Next, you'll need a few documents. If this is your first passport, you will need to fill out the DS-11 form. This can be done by hand, or by using a Form Filler. The important thing to remember when filling this out is that you DO NOT SIGN until you are told to by whoever is handling your application. If you sign this beforehand, it voids your application and you will have start all over again. If you are under 18, your parents may need to fill out additional forms, which we will cover in a minute. The other documents you will need are :

1. Your Social Security Card

2. Your Birth Certificate

3. A form of identification (Drivers License, Previous Passport)

4. Payment (For me it was $110 + Postal fees)

A few words on payment. If you plan on paying by check, you will need to make it payable to US DEPARTMENT OF STATE, with no abbreviations. As of August 2020, the price for a passport book is $110, and the passport card is $30. However. prices change, so check online for the most recent prices. You will also need to pay postal fees which are usually ~$50. They are a separate expense, so do not include them in the check. you can instead pay by cash, credit card, or money order.

If you are 18 or older, you are now ready for your appointment. If you are under 18, there are a few things you should know before you go. First of all, if you are under 16, you are considered a minor and will need both parents to accompany you to the appointment. If one of them is unavailable to come with you, they will have to fill out Form DS-3053. Additionally, your parents will need to bring identification for themselves and they must bring identification proving their custody (Birth Certificate, Adoption Certificate, Divorce/Custody Degree.) For more information, go HERE. If you are 16 or 17, you do not need both parents to accompany you. Instead, you need to show parental acknowledgment, which means you must be able to prove your parents are aware of and approve of your applying for a passport. This can take several forms, including your parent accompanying you to the appointment (Easiest way), or having them write the check for your passport, as well as signing a parental acknowledgment statement. (Example included) Again, check with your chosen acceptance facility, as laws vary by state and city.

All right! The only thing left to do now is to confirm and show up for your appointment, which means you're on track to begin traveling the world soon!

What did you think of this article? Do you have any questions, concerns, notes about the passport process, or ways I could improve this post? If so, don't hesitate to leave a comment down below. I promise I will get back to you as soon as possible. Additionally, if you liked this article, I hope you'll consider adding yourself to our mailing list, which will keep you up to date on all new posts and will also let you know if any of the information on these pages is updated.

Thanks for reading,

Isaac Brewster