Your United States Passport Questions Answered
One reason that some of our clients are limited on the destinations that they can travel to is due to simply not having a passport.
In other cases some of our clients are passport carrying pros—book a trip with us THEN realize that their passport has expired.
In either case—you need a VALID United States passport to travel internationally if you are a United States citizen.
We have written some information below to guide our clients through the process of obtaining a passport whether you are a first timer or a pro who just needs to renew!
#1 Rule in the Passport Game - you do NOT need an outside company to do ANYTHING for you!
First of all—you do not need to pay a service to fill out the forms and apply for a passport. You can easily get one on your own. If you need it quickly, there are ways to expedite the process that DOES NOT involve paying an outside company to do so.
The reason that we caution against paying outside companies to process/expedite your passport application is that these third-party companies are simply charging you money to do the exact thing that you have to do on your own. You are filling out the exact same forms and they are taking your sensitive information and documents and doing absolutely nothing different in order to get your passport application processed (expedited or not). You STILL have to pay the government rate for your passport + the fee to expedite if you choose to AND then they are adding a fee on top of that (for people who simply just don’t know any better).
Here are the simple steps to getting a passport (for the first time):
1. Go to https://travel.state.gov
This is the ONLY official website to obtain a United States passport. Any variation of this website is NOT this website. On this site, you will find all the information that you need to apply for your passport.
2. Gather required documents to prove who you are (below is what is currently listed, refer directly to the US passport website for updates/changes)
Proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate or certificate of Nationalization or Citizenship, undamaged U.S. passport, etc.)
Proof of Identity (such as a driver’s license, military ID, U.S. passport, certificate of Nationalization, etc.)
Recent color photograph that meets the requirements on https://travel.state.gov/photos
3. Pay the Passport Processing Fee
These fees differ based on your situation such as if you want a passport book, card (passport cards DO NOT WORK for international flight travel—a passport BOOK is required), or both as well as if it is for an adult or minor, and how soon you need it delivered. You can find these fees on the above-mentioned site, as well as the payment methods accepted, which can differ based on where you submit your passport application.
4. Find a location to apply and submit your completed application, documents, and fee.
So where do you go? You should only go to a verified passport agency - https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/
Please note that if you are getting your first passport you will have to do it in person, and if you are getting a child’s passport you must have both parents present OR notarized signature from other parent.
OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED PASSPORT QUESTIONS
What are some reasons that I would be denied a passport?
There are some reasons that your passport application could be denied and you wouldn’t be able to get your passport. Outstanding child support payments, unpaid taxes, certain criminal convictions (namely drug trafficking), lacking documentation that can prove your citizenship, previous passport revocations, national security concerns, and bankruptcy proceedings are a few of the reasons that your passport could be denied. If you have specific questions in relation to any of these things contact a passport processing facility.
What if you I need my passport quickly?
Your passport can be expedited. If you are traveling in less than 13 weeks, but not less than 9 weeks, you can follow the steps above to get your passport, then include the $60 fee (subject to change, check the official website for updated info) to expedite it in addition to the regular fee. Submit these to the verified passport agency, and you should receive your passport sooner. If you are traveling in less than 9 weeks, make an appointment at a verified passport agency to discuss receiving your passport faster. There is no fee for the appointment. You do not need to pay anyone except a verified passport agency to expedite a passport.
What if I have had a passport in the past but it’s not valid anymore (I need to renew my passport)?
If this is not your first time getting a passport, you may be able to renew it by mail. If you were 16 or older when you got your previous passport, no information has changed such as your address or name (unless you can provide proof of the name change), it is still in good condition, and it has been no more than 15 years since your last passport was issued, you can renew your passport by mail. Simply visit the website, download and fill out the form, and mail it in with your previous passport, any name change documentation if necessary, a recent photo, and your fee to the address given on the website.
What if I need to renew my passport quickly?
Should you need to expedite your passport renewal, simply fill out the passport renewal form from the website, include the $60 expedite fee (subject to change, check the official website for updated information) in addition to the fee, clearly mark “Expedite” on the outside of the envelope, and mail it in.
You can find the information you need for any other circumstances that can arise regarding your passport on https://travel.state.gov. Everything you need to do is broken down step by step with easy-to-follow instructions! Should you want any guidance, LTW Travel designers can lead you along the way and answer any of your questions quickly!
Save yourself the time and money and follow these easy steps to get your passport and get ready to explore the world!