Passing the Initial Passport Hurdle
There comes a time in some people's lives where they wish to leave the country that they know all too well and travel the world. As many American-born citizens take for granted, some newly-found immigrants have the hurdle of applying for the passport that they need to travel abroad. Traveling is not the concern for them, being allowed back into this country is.
In order to help, we will lay out the basics of the passport, what it's used for, how to apply, and potential difficulties that a person may get in both their first application and a renewal.
To start, every country has it's own passport, each following a uniform outline, allowing them to be simply utilized through the varying countries that the passport will travel to. In the US, the passport is a form of identification issued by the Department of State. This department uses the ID to track people who are allowed to come and leave the country, ensuring that parties are going to destinations allowed, and using the passport as a tracking method for past trips (through the use of stamping the books.) One notable use of the passport, is proof of citizenship; the passport will serve in many instances as a method to show that you are a full citizen of the United States.
The Passport takes two forms in the United States: the passport book and the passport card. Beyond the price difference in applying for them as well as the form each identification takes, the largest difference between the two is that the passport book allows for international travel, while the passport card does not. The Passport card is may still be used for the identification of the individual as well as evidence of their citizenship.
When applying, there needs to be some difficulties that one should be aware of, the majority of which are relevant for the first time that you apply.
Because the passport is a means of showing citizenship, the difficulties generally occur in proving that one has citizenship to begin with. The most common methods to prove your citizenship are by birth certificate (if you were born in the US), by a certificate of citizenship (for people who were born outside of the US, but derived citizenship or acquired citizenship through a US parent, ) or your own Naturalization Certificate (issued to someone who naturalized after they turned 18.) Unfortunately, if you fall outside of the common methods, due to lack of existing documentation that you need for your application method applicable to your status, your process has become harder. It is suggested that you find an immigration specialist to prevent you wasting filing fees and headaches.
Keep in mind that these issues would only arise normally as a first time applicant or someone who no longer has their old passport, who is filing from inside the US. The filing of the Form DS-11 must be done if you are:
Applying for your first U.S. passport;
Under age 16;
A applicant whose previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16;
A applicant whose previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged; or
A applicant whose previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years age.
If these do not apply to you, I'm happy to announce that a renewal is your necessary step, by filing the Form DS-82 and taking a much easier process in the course of this. Following the instructions of each form provided by the Department of State will be in your best interest, as the instructions will cater to the majority of the most common scenarios of applicants. Once either form is filled out, you will then need to contact a passport office or mail out your application, depending on your needs and type of request.
With this general overview, you should now be more prepared for your next passport application, be it the first or the repeat occasion that you apply. In the instance that your applications have difficulty or a unique aspect that would bring concern, we always recommend considering a professional to ensure the best results.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is of a general nature and may not apply to any specific or particular circumstance. It is not to be construed as legal advice nor presumed indefinitely up to date. We strongly encourage parties with Immigration issues to seek the advice of a licensed Immigration Attorney. To schedule a consultation today, contact Pham Law.
