How to Get a Passport Book or Card

Applicants need to understand how to get a passport before they begin planning their international trips. These federal identification passport cards and passport books are the only documents that permit U.S. citizens to travel internationally, and they usually take some time for candidates to obtain. Regardless, these documents serve different purposes. The passport card is necessary for a resident who plans to participate in any international travel by plane. Alternatively, applicants may need to obtain passport cards. These documents are useful to individuals who are traveling to select countries by land or sea.

In any case, petitioners may want to know, “How do I get a passport?” when they are ready to begin the application process. However, applicants should begin asking these questions well before they need their documents to travel. In any case, this application information is critical to any prospective candidates, and it is important that they understand the steps involved with requesting this documentation. Petitioners who wonder, “What do you need to get a passport?” can find this information below. The following sections also include an overview regarding what applicants need to do to apply for their passports and how much they can expect to pay for these documents.

What do you need to get a passport?

Candidates who wonder how to get a US passport need to remember that there are various materials and proofs of eligibility that they need to submit with their applications. First-time adult applicants have several items they need to bring with them. Petitioners should be prepared to submit:

  • Form DS-11: This is the form first-time applicants need to use to request their passport books and cards. Furthermore, petitioners who wonder, “Where do I get a passport application?” should note that these documents are available online. However, candidates must know that they cannot submit these documents through the internet. Instead, they must take their completed applications and apply in person.
  • Proof of citizenship: Candidates must provide legal proof that they are U.S. citizens. Examples of documents that would fulfill this requirement include naturalization records or U.S. birth certificates.
  • Photo identification: Applicants need to submit photo identification cards that were issued by the government. This could include military identification documents or driver’s licenses.
  • Passport photo: Petitioners are responsible for bringing their own passport photos to the location where they are applying for documentation. Candidates who want to know, “Where can I get a passport photo?” should keep in mind that there are various locations where they can complete this step, including post offices and pharmacies. In any case, applicants who decide where to get passport photos need to ensure that their images meet federal regulations.
  • Payment: Passport applicants must pay two fees when they apply for their passport documents. Petitioners are responsible for bringing checks or money orders with them when they apply for their identification forms.

How much does it cost to get a passport?

Petitioners who wonder, “How do you get a passport?” usually also want to know how much it costs to obtain these documents. These fees vary, depending on the types of cards that applicants request. For example, first-time candidates who apply for their passport cards can expect to pay $30 when they submit their petitions for these documents. On the other hand, a passport book costs a successful applicant $110 when he or she applies. Additionally, a first-time adult applicant needs to pay an additional $35 acceptance or execution fee during this process.

Where can I get a passport?

Applicants may want to know, “Where to get a passport near me?” The answer to this question varies, depending on where petitioners are located, but there are usually various facilities they can use to obtain these important documents. Generally, petitioners need to visit federal locations in order to apply for this documentation.

It is important that applicants only visit approved facilities when they submit their requests for identification. In any case, petitioners who wonder where to get a passport must know that they may be able to apply for these documents at the following locations:

  • Post offices
  • Passport agencies
  • Passport offices
  • Public libraries

How long does it take to get a passport?

“How long does it take to get a passport card or book?” is a common question that many first-time applicants may ask. Wait times can vary, depending on how quickly individuals need their documents, and the quicker the service, the more candidates should expect to pay. Regardless of whether applicants request passport cards or books, they can usually expect to wait between four and six weeks for these documents. However, candidates who find out exactly how long to get a passport sent to them may find they need to expedite requests. Applicants can accomplish this through a verified third-party provider. By using one of these providers, candidates can lessen the time it takes for them to receive their passports.

Can a felon get a passport?

Petitioners may wonder, “What do you need to get a passport if you are a felon?” In fact, some applicants even want to know, “Can a felon get a passport?” Generally, this answer depends on what charges the candidates have against them. According to United States laws, most felons are permitted to receive passports once they are no longer incarcerated and are not currently on probation. However, there are some individuals who are prohibited from obtaining passports, even after their periods of incarceration end. Usually, this restriction applies to people who were convicted for international drug trading. However, most other individuals who were convicted of felonies are able to receive passports once their rights are restored.

In addition to wondering how to get a US passport as a felon, applicants should be aware that there are certain other delinquent and criminal offenses that can prohibit candidates from getting passports. For example, individuals who owe over $2,500 in unpaid child support payments are ineligible to obtain U.S. passports. Furthermore, applicants who owe on specific loans to the federal government may have their passport applications denied until they can pay their remaining balances.