What is Required to Obtain a Passport?
- Passports were not necessary when traveling back and forth between Canada and the United States in the north and Mexico in the south, until the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon lead to the push for Real ID. Prior to 2001, travelers simply showed their birth certificate and a photo ID. By 2007, however, the push for Real ID has lead to use of passports even when traveling to and from these destinations.
At the beginning of the 20th Ccentury, many people did not have birth certificates or hospital birth records, because they were often born at home. Instead, they had baptismal and circumcision certificates, an entry in the family Bible or other holy book, a record of Sunday school attendance or other school records. Many people born before 1940 are finding the need to have someone swear an affidavit that they were present on or near their birth date and can attest to their given name, surname, parents' names, sex and the location and date of their birth.
When available, you are required to submit a previous passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate which includes your full name, the full name of each of your parents, the date and place of your birth, your sex, and the date the record was filed, as well as the seal or other certification of the official registrar of birth records or the Clerk of Courts. - Present a recent color 2 by 2-inch photo with the face portion of the photo, from your chin to the top of your head, comprising at least 1 by 1 1/3-inches of the photo. You will be charged a fee for a ten-year passport if the applicant is over 16. You will be charged for a five-year passport if the applicant is under 16. Minors must have written permission from both parents to get a passport. If divorced, you will have to submit a copy of the divorce decree specifying which parent has custody of the child. You will need written permission of the noncustodial parent for the child to leave the country. If the noncustodial parent is not available, you will have to submit a notarized statement explaining why the parent is unavailable.
- Although many people believe that convictions for misdemeanors or felonies are grounds for refusal of a passport, the only act listed on the application that results in refusal to grant a passport is conviction in any court or court martial for acts of treason against the United States government or any of its components. Other acts which will result in refusal are being naturalized as a citizen of a another country, taking an oath of allegiance or serving in the armed forces of a foreign government or any of its components, or by renouncing your United State's citizenship.
- Use a passport when traveling to and from destinations outside the United States. Unless you live in a Real ID state, you may need a passport when traveling to and from Canada and Mexico. It is not necessary to have a passport to travel to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or other U. S. territories.
- If your passport is lost or stolen, report it to the United States Department of State or the nearest United States embassy as soon as possible. You will have to follow their instructions to receive a replacement passport. Attempting to alter the photo, seal or other information on your passport is a federal crime. False statements and alterations can result in fines or imprisonment under the provisions of 18 USC 1001, 18 USC 1542, 18 USC 1543, 18 USC 1544 and 18 USC 1621.