Introduction
Traveling is one of the great joys in life. It allows you to explore new places and meet interesting people. However, if you want to take advantage of these opportunities, you must have a passport. If you need to renew your passport or get a new one for the first time, it can be an intimidating process. The good news is that we are here to help make this process easier for you by providing some basic information about passports and how they work!
What is a passport?
A passport is a document that identifies you as a citizen of a country. It also shows which country you are from, and it allows you to travel freely between countries.
You can only get a passport if your country’s government has issued one for its citizens. Passports are usually small booklets with photographs inside them; they have information about what country issued the passport and when it expires (the date after which it will no longer be valid).
Passports are used primarily by people who want to visit other countries or live there permanently. If someone doesn’t have one, they might not be allowed into another country unless they have special permission from their own government or some kind of proof that they’re allowed into certain places within that foreign nation’s borders.
What is the purpose of a passport?
A passport is a government-issued document that allows you to travel to, from, and within other countries. It’s your ticket to the rest of the world.
Passports are an important document–one you should take care of and keep safe at all times. If you lose it or damage it while traveling abroad, there may be consequences for both yourself and your family when coming back home.
How long is my passport good for?
A passport is valid for 10 years, but you can renew your passport if it’s within six months of expiring. If you need to travel back to the United States and have an expired passport, then you may be able to get a renewal at the port of entry (POE).
When applying for a renewal by mail or in person at a regional agency office, make sure that:
- You have been issued an e-Passport (the new version) within the last 10 years; and
- Your previous passport was issued when you were 16 years old or older
How do I apply for a new passport?
To apply for a new passport, you must fill out the application form and provide a photo. The cost of applying for a new passport depends on whether you are applying in person or by mail.
If you choose to apply in person at your local post office or other authorized facility, there is no fee for this type of application. However, if you choose to have your photo taken by a third party provider such as CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens Photo Studio then there will be an additional charge for their services which range from $15-$20 per person depending on where they take their picture (check with them first!). If this is something that interests you I would highly recommend checking out [my guide](https://www.passportusahelpguideblog.com/how-to-get-a-passport/) on how to get those pictures taken before hand so that when the time comes around all we need do is fill out our paperwork online then head over there after lunchtime with our IDs ready!
What do I need to apply for a new passport?
You’ll need to gather the following documents:
- Your current passport.
- Your birth certificate. If you were born in the United States and do not have a birth certificate, contact your state’s vital records office for help obtaining one.
- A government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or military ID). This can be expired, but if the expiration date is before your current passport, it must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of issue on your application form. For example, if your driver’s license expires in 2020 but was issued in 2018, it would still be acceptable as proof of identity at this time since it has two years left until expiration (and this includes out-of-state IDs). However, once 2020 rolls around and that driver’s license expires completely–or even sooner–you will need another form of identification besides just a photo ID; otherwise they will assume that whoever filed the renewal application was lying about their identity when answering those questions honestly!
Where can I apply for a new passport?
You can apply for a passport at any post office. You can also apply for a passport at many government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or local county clerk’s office. If you’re not sure what agency to contact in your area, call 1-800-ASK-USPS and they will provide you with information on where to go to get your application processed.
You’ll need two photos that meet the requirements and proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate). Visit usps.com/passport for details about photo requirements and document requirements before you apply!
In the United States, you can get your passport at many post offices and other government agencies.
You can get a passport at many post offices and other government agencies. You can also apply online or through an expedited service such as Fastport Passport, but those options come with additional fees that may not be worth it for you.
If you live near a post office, it’s probably the easiest option for renewing your passport. Just make sure to bring proof of identification (a photo ID) and citizenship documentation with you when applying in person at a USPS location–you’ll need both items in order to complete the process there without any problems!
Conclusion
If you’re planning on traveling abroad and need a new passport, it’s important to understand the process. There are many different ways to apply for one and we hope this article has helped clarify some of the questions you might have had about getting one. Remember that if at any point during this process, something feels confusing or overwhelming, don’t hesitate to ask someone who knows more than us (like an agent at your local post office)!