Are you ready to jet off to the Caribbean, Europe, or another faraway destination outside the US? But are you realizing you can’t do that just yet, because you don’t have a passport? Don’t you worry, because I have you covered! Today, I am going to share exactly how to apply for a passport for your international vacation. Oh, and if you already have a passport, but it is close to expired, or expired, I am sharing the renewal process too. So, in a just a few minutes, you will understand everything you need to know about applying for a passport.

How to Apply for a Passport for Your International Vacation

Steps for Applying for a New Passport

If you have never had a passport before, or your passport was issued more than fifteen years ago, you will need to apply for a new passport. The same applies if your last passport was issued prior to your sixteenth birthday.

Step 1: Fill Out Form DS-11

The very first step of how to apply for a passport involves filling out form DS-11. I highly recommend using the form filler online for this step. Doing this ensures everything on the form is legible.

Once the form is completely filled out, you must print it, and then sign it.

Step 2: Provide Proof of US Citizenship

The next step is to find an original, or certified copy, of your US citizenship. This is usually in the form of a birth certificate. Your birth certificate must be issued from the city, county, or state of your birth. It also must list your full name, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ full names, filing date, registrar signature, and have a raised seal or stamp.

Other acceptable forms include a consular report of birth abroad, certificate of naturalization, or certificate of citizenship.

In addition to this original form, you must also have a copy of this form when you go to apply for your passport.

Step 3: Provide Your Current ID

There are quite a few options when it comes to providing your current ID. I am going to list all the forms for you, so you can easily look to see which one you have:

• Valid State Driver’s License with Photo
• Expired and Undamaged US Passport or Passport Card
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Government Employee ID
• US Military ID
• Current and Valid Foreign Passport
• Mexican Consular ID
• US Permanent Resident Card
• Trusted Traveler IDs
• Enhanced Tribal Cards

You should make a copy of whichever ID you are taking with you for your passport application.

Step 4: Provide a Photo

A specific passport photo needs to be submitted with your passport application. Most passport acceptance facilities can take these photos for you at an additional fee. You can also have them taken at stores like Staples and CVS.

Step 5: Determine Your Passport Fees

The cost of a passport book is $130 for the application fee. There is an additional $35 execution, or acceptance, fee. These charges will need to be paid separately.

Your payment must be in the form of a check, money order, or in case of the execution fee, cash at certain facilities. Credit and debit cards are not acceptable forms of payment for passports.

Step 6: Make an Appointment at a Passport Acceptance Facility

Now that you have all your supporting documents, it is time to make an appointment at a passport acceptance facility. Most of the time, this will be at your local post office. You can make an appointment online by clicking here.

On the day of your appointment, take all the documents listed above to the passport acceptance facility. They will finalize your application and send it to the processing center.

Step 7: Track Your Passport Application Status

Once your application has been mailed out, you will want to keep track of its status. Click here for the passport status website.

The current passport processing times are between ten and thirteen weeks. It may take at least two weeks before your passport status changes to in process.

As soon as your application is processed and approved, your new passport will be mailed back to you. Any documentation you sent in with your application will be sent to you in a different envelope.

How to Apply for a Passport for a Minor Under the Age of Sixteen

The steps for applying for a passport for a minor under the age of sixteen are similar to what I shared above. However, there are a few key differences you must be aware of.

First, both parents, or guardians, of the child must be present when applying for a passport. If one person is not able to go to apply for the passport, they can complete form DS-3053 for statement of consent. That form will need to be notarized. And the person will need to send a copy of the front and back of their ID.

If a person has sole custody of a child, they can show the court order that allows them to be the only person required to sign the application.

The fees for a child’s passport are also different. The application fee is $100, while the execution fee is $35.

Renewing Your Passport

If you have already gone through the passport application process and have a passport, the renewal process is much easier. In order to renew your passport via mail, without needing to go to a passport acceptance facility, you need to answer yes to the following statements:

• Current passport can be submitted with your application
• Your current passport is not damaged
• You have never reported your passport as lost or stolen
• Your passport was issued within the last fifteen years
• Your passport was issued when you were age sixteen or older
• Your passport is issued in your current name, or you can provide documents that show evidence of your name change
• Your passport was not limited to less than the normal ten-year period of validity

If you answered yes, to all those statements, you can follow these steps to renew your passport by mail. If you answered no to any of them, you will need to go to a passport acceptance facility.

Step 1: Fill Out Form DS-82

The form you fill out to renew your passport is different than when you first applied. This time, you will fill out form DS-82. I recommend using the form filler and then printing it out to sign.

Please make sure you print single-sided copies, or the form will be sent back to you.

Step 2: Find Your Current Passport

You will need to send your current passport with your application.

Step 3: Provide Any Name Change Documents if Needed

If you have recently changed your name, you will need to provide the necessary name change documents. These documents can include marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court ordered name change document.

Step 4: Provide a Photo

You will need to attach one passport photo to your passport application. It is best to have these photos taken at a CVS, Staples, or another store that offers passport photos. This will ensure your photo meets all the requirements.

The application will tell you where to staple the photo. Please follow those directions carefully.

Step 5: Calculate the Fees

You will only need to pay the application fee, which is $130, when you renew your passport. This payment needs to be submitted via check or money order.

Step 6: Mail Your Completed Application and Supporting Documents

Once you have gathered all your documents, it will be time to mail everything to the processing center. I recommend using a priority mail envelope, so you have the tracking information.

Place your application, passport, name change documentation, and payment into the envelope. Address the envelope to the address listed for your state.

If you need expedited service, you will need to pay an additional $60 and write EXPEDITE on the outside of the envelope. Those applications will go to a different address than the one listed for your state.

Step 7: Track Your Passport Renewal Status

It currently takes between ten and thirteen weeks for passport renewals. You can check the status of your passport renewal by clicking here.

Your new passport and old passport, with other documentation, will be mailed to you separately. If you do not receive your old passport right away, do not panic. It can take up to eight weeks to receive your old passport. However, if you do not receive your old passport after eight weeks, you should call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

This is everything you need to do when you are applying or renewing your passport. If you are still trying to wrap your head around all this information, don’t start stressing out. There are special passport acceptance fairs you can attend. These fairs are designed to help you with filling out the forms, understanding what documentation is needed, and more. See if there is one near you and get the support you need.

After all, you won’t want to miss out on a fabulous international vacation simply because you didn’t send out your passport application! Oh, and speaking of international vacations, I highly recommend signing up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. TSA PreCheck is for domestic travel, while Global Entry covers both domestic and international travel. They are both game changers when it comes to avoiding the long lines at the airport.

So, now that you understand how to apply for a passport, are you ready to have me book your vacation in your dream international destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to sign up for a planning session with me. When you click the link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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