Tell me about getting my passport.

[Linty Fresh]

About a month ago, I decided I'd be needing a passport sooner or later, so I went down to my local post office and applied with what I thought was enough information. Apparently I was wrong, because I got a letter today stating that it wasn't enough, and I have to provide additional information to get it. I'm an American citizen, and while I moved around a lot as a kid, I've only lived outside the US for a year in the army.

Some of the additional information they asked me to mail in was understandable (photocopies of my DD-214, state ID, Social Security Card, Student ID, etc.), but some struck me as a little strange (yearbook photos, newspaper articles, etc.).

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? If I provide the information asked for, is it likely I'll get the passport, or are they just jerking me around? If I get turned down, can I reapply at a later date with more documents?

Any information or insight would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Eva Luna]

That sounds bizarre. What documentation did you submit initially? And what was the phrasing of the letter requesting additional documentation? Were they requesting all the items on a list, or just giving a laundry list of items you could submit?

[ticker]

That does sound a little odd. When I applied for my first US passport a few months ago (I have dual US/UK citizenship as my mother is from the US) my mother had to supply stuff like HS yearbook, NY Sate nursing qualifications to establish that she had spent enough of her life in the US for me to be eligible. IIRC the requirement for a regular citizen was some proof that you are the person you claim to be (i.e. picture id) and proof that that person is a US citizen, such as birth certificate.

[friedo]

All I had to submit was my birth certificate, and a form from my mother attesting to my identity (since I didn't have a valid state ID at the time; mine had long since expired.)

I got the thing in the mail quite promptly, no hassle.

[Gatopescado]

Originally Posted by friedo

I got the thing in the mail quite promptly, no hassle.

I was told horror stories about needing to apply 6 months before expecting to need the thing. I was told it would be "at least 6 weeks" before getting it when we submitted the forms.

It came in the mail just over a week later.

[Ravenman]

Originally Posted by Linty Fresh

Some of the additional information they asked me to mail in was understandable (photocopies of my DD-214, state ID, Social Security Card, Student ID, etc.), but some struck me as a little strange (yearbook photos, newspaper articles, etc.).

Do you have some unusual circumstances with respect to your application? As in, did you not have a birth certificate, valid driver license, or something like that?

"Moving around a lot as a kid" isn't really a valid reason for requesting additional information like this. Not having standard proof of identity may be.

I would expect that you would not be turned down for a passport unless something is really seriously wrong (e.g., your birth certificate is written in crayon, your ID was issued by Moldova, Social Security card doesn't have your name on it). This is very likely just a few additional steps before one is issued.

If you continue to have problems, you should call your congressman's office. They will be able to cut through the red tape and get your application some proper attention, and hopefully clarify what exactly is deficient in your application and what exactly needs to be provided.

[The Tof]

I share the sentiment that the list sounds strange. Is it possible you're misunderstanding? Is there a number to call and ask. I'd be hard pressed to find a newspaper article about myself. I'd probably have to go commit a crime of some sort

Anyway- This is kind of a hijack, and I apologize to the OP- but I'm kind of curious of the opinion if anybody minds sharing.

I don't currently have a passport. I don't really have any plans on visiting outside the country anytime soon. But it is increasingly seeming like this is probably something that I should have. My parents were surprised when, a few months ago, I mentioned I didn't have a passport; and I think this may be why I've been thinking I should get one. Despite not really having a use for it.

So, I guess what I'm asking is if a passport is really something that everybody should have regardless of their current situation? I know it can be used for citizenship and id purposes. But I do have a DL for ID and my Social Security Card.

And- you know- I'm curious how the OP's situation turns out as well.

[Siam Sam]

Originally Posted by The Tof

I don't currently have a passport. I don't really have any plans on visiting outside the country anytime soon. But it is increasingly seeming like this is probably something that I should have. My parents were surprised when, a few months ago, I mentioned I didn't have a passport; and I think this may be why I've been thinking I should get one. Despite not really having a use for it.

So, I guess what I'm asking is if a passport is really something that everybody should have regardless of their current situation? I know it can be used for citizenship and id purposes. But I do have a DL for ID and my Social Security Card.

I, too, find the OP's situation very strange. I've never had any problems getting a passport. A birth certificate was the main document originally way back when, I rememeber. What's this about "newspaper articles"???

As for should The Tof have a passport, I'd encourage everyone to have one. I understand that not everyone is going to be sitting around in Kansas some weekend and suddenly get a wild hair up the ass and want to jet on over to Monaco. But if one ever did get such an urge, it would suck to have to wait weeks for a passport. Especially in this day and age, you just never know what travel opportunities will suddenly appear. Plus, it's a cool item to have.

[Linty Fresh]

I was talking it over with Mrs. Fresh, and I think I might know the problem.

I made the mistake of filling out my passport application at the post office rather than online. There were a few portions (I don't remember what, something like where my parents were born) that I didn't know off the top of my head, and the clerk told me not to worry about it, so I wound up turning in a form with incomplete information. Sigh . . . Learn from my mistake, folks. Fill out your government forms correctly, and take your time!!!

Mrs. Fresh opined that in the post-9/11 environment, they probably kick back any incompletes automatically, so now I have to fill out extra information. Oh well . . . my bad.

[sugar and spice]

Originally Posted by The Tof

So, I guess what I'm asking is if a passport is really something that everybody should have regardless of their current situation? I know it can be used for citizenship and id purposes. But I do have a DL for ID and my Social Security Card.

One situation would be if you travel to Canada by car, which you might want to do for the day if fate ever takes you to Seattle, Detroit, Buffalo, etc. According to this you don't *need* a passport right now, but I suspect it will be required soon enough. Also, even if it's not required my WAG is that it moves things along at the border (either direction). IME the agents are perfectly polite but they can and will pull you over if anything sets off a flag.

Linty, good luck w/ the paperwork, I hope the next one sticks.

[Sunspace]

Everything you need to know about entering Canada. US citizens don't need a passport to enter Canada, but they need proof of citizenship.

Last week I went to the post office to pick up a parcel and there were all these cards advising Canadians to get their passports for travel by land to the States by June 1, 2009. I would not be surprised to find that Canada would impose a similar requirement for US citizens arriving in Canada, though as far as I know, that's not planned.

[Siam Sam]

Originally Posted by Sunspace

Everything you need to know about entering Canada. US citizens don't need a passport to enter Canada, but they need proof of citizenship.

Last week I went to the post office to pick up a parcel and there were all these cards advising Canadians to get their passports for travel by land to the States by June 1, 2009. I would not be surprised to find that Canada would impose a similar requirement for US citizens arriving in Canada, though as far as I know, that's not planned.

But isn't there a new US regulation requiring American citizens to have a passport even if traveling to Canada or Mexico? To facilitate getting back into the US. As I recall, there was some chatter not too long ago about delays in passport applications, because so many more people had to apply, people who only ever crossed those borders.

[suranyi]

Originally Posted by Siam Sam

But isn't there a new US regulation requiring American citizens to have a passport even if traveling to Canada or Mexico? To facilitate getting back into the US. As I recall, there was some chatter not too long ago about delays in passport applications, because so many more people had to apply, people who only ever crossed those borders.

Right now, you need a passport if you are travelling to Canada or Mexico BY AIR. You don't need one if travelling by land or sea (e.g. by cruise ship). But that may change soon.

Ed

[Siam Sam]

Ah, I see. Thanks.

[even sven]

Originally Posted by The Tof

So, I guess what I'm asking is if a passport is really something that everybody should have regardless of their current situation? I know it can be used for citizenship and id purposes. But I do have a DL for ID and my Social Security Card.

Go get one! You have no idea what is going to happen in this life- maybe you will suddenly be offered some awesome globe-trotting job, maybe you will win a vacation to Rio, maybe you will get a girlfriend in France.....

Passports take a while to process, and getting them expedited is really expensive. I know people who have missed some great opportunities because they didn't have theirs. And I've been stuck paying those expediting fees. It's no fun.

A passport is good for then years. So unless you really believe you will not leave the country in the next ten years, you might as well get one now.

Plus a passport is a good "all in one" ID. When getting jobs they often was a few pieces of ID, but usually a passport can cover all of them.

[wolfman]

When I did mine they just wanted my drivers license and Birth certificate(which they stapled to the application). My birth Certificate is a bit worn and stained, and I asked the Post office dude if it would be a problem.

He kind of shrugged his shoulders and basically said you can never know. He said that most people's go through fine, even if there is an imperfection with the application, but that they make a point of being hard ass on a few, even if they are perfect. Some people names are similar to 'listed' names, or other just seem to get picked in kind of a random audit thing where they let you know that they are in charge.

My birth certificate came back in about 5 days, and the passport a couple days later.

[suranyi]

Originally Posted by even sven

Go get one! You have no idea what is going to happen in this life- maybe you will suddenly be offered some awesome globe-trotting job, maybe you will win a vacation to Rio, maybe you will get a girlfriend in France.....

Passports take a while to process, and getting them expedited is really expensive. I know people who have missed some great opportunities because they didn't have theirs. And I've been stuck paying those expediting fees. It's no fun.

A passport is good for then years. So unless you really believe you will not leave the country in the next ten years, you might as well get one now.

Plus a passport is a good "all in one" ID. When getting jobs they often was a few pieces of ID, but usually a passport can cover all of them.

I agree with everything that has been said.

A case in point: A number of years ago, my boss came to me and said: "We need someone to go do some testing of our product in France next week, and I thought you'd be the person I'd send. You do have a passport, don't you?"

Ed

[Linty Fresh]

It came today exactly one week after I sent in all the paperwork! I think they just wanted me to fill out a little extra so that they could verify I was who I said.

Many thanks to everyone who posted here!!

Woooo-HOOOOOOO!!!!

[Sunspace]

Yay! Welcome to The World! (Complete with pirates.)

[cherry]

Cool, the new US passports are nice!. I like the pages and the sayings but it's a little bit thicker. I just got one for my new daughter and I hope to become a citizen this year so I will have one as well.

[Siam Sam]

Now you can stroll proudly into a Bangkok bar.

[Olentzero]

Sorry I'm late to the thread, but before I left for Turkey I worked in a small office that handled passport and visa applications. Linty's situation wasn't all that uncommon if the Passport Office didn't have all the info it wanted on the original application. And not to denigrate the Post Office, but the clerks who had a good idea of what the process entailed were few and far between. Glad to see you got it all worked out, though!