# Getting my first passport. Please advise.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [June 7, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433 "2012-06-07T21:31:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/1 "2012-06-07T21:31:26Z")
Going on a cruise in January. I need a passport.
What all do I need to get one? Birth certificate? Or would a valid state ID work?
How long does the process take?
How much?
Any other paperwork I will need?
Any other advice for a first timer is appreciated.
Thanks.
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### Author:  [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/2 "2012-06-07T21:34:20Z")
> **[U.S. Passports](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html/get/get_4855.html)**
>
> How to apply for or renew your U.S. passport if you live in United States
You can get pictures at Walgreens.
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### Author:  [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/3 "2012-06-07T22:28:20Z")
If I may,
Start now, this takes time and if anything goes wrong it takes more time, the Passport people are nice but they are in no hurry to issue to you.
You will need a birth certificate(certified, stamped copy) from the State you were born in, don’t bother with the County office copy, it often isn’t good enough.
Be careful with your application and how you answer the questions
From experience, mine took almost 6 months, because my mother was born overseas to a serving officer in the USAF. To their credit I got my Passport about a week after I told them.
Also in the process I got to talk on the phone to a deaf guy, who had some sort of speech to text function, he would kind of read what I said to him back to me. Weird and pretty cool
Capt
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### Author:  [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/4 "2012-06-08T02:56:14Z")
> [@Capt\_Kirk](#):
>
> You will need a birth certificate(certified, stamped copy) from the State you were born in, don’t bother with the County office copy, it often isn’t good enough.
Was not aware that there were states where there was a difference! But yes, a certified, officially-sealed COLB must be submitted, it will be returned to the applicant under separate cover.
Normally the first-issue passport should be in the applicant’s hands in a few weeks if everything is filed properly; since we are at the start of peak travel season it’s possible there will be something of a logjam but the OP is doing very well with advance timing. The application form is pretty much self-explanatory, I got through it quickly when I first applied 20+ years ago and had the document by three weeks’ time.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/5 "2012-06-08T03:24:18Z")
> [@Shakes](#):
>
> How much?
$135
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/6 "2012-06-08T03:25:38Z")
Here’s a list of [instructions](http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html)
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/7 "2012-06-08T03:31:52Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#):
>
> Normally the first-issue passport should be in the applicant’s hands in a few weeks if everything is filed properly; since we are at the start of peak travel season it’s possible there will be something of a logjam but the OP is doing very well with advance timing.
According to the official website, there’s currently a period of 4-6 weeks in processing applications.
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### Author:  [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/8 "2012-06-08T04:01:36Z")
I used a county birth certificate with no problem, because in Illinois that’s where you get them, at least when I got my first passport. I just renewed mine, which may be quicker, and it took about 3 weeks.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/9 "2012-06-08T04:11:08Z")
Get the card also.
Mind you it isn;t very useful as a passport. But hide it deep within your luggage, it’s a perfect piece of official gov’t iD to use if your wallet and/or real passport gets lost.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/10 "2012-06-08T04:19:33Z")
Actually, the passport card might be useful for the OP. The State Department website says that it’s “valid when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.”
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### Author:  [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/11 "2012-06-08T04:27:16Z")
> [@Capt\_Kirk](#):
>
> From experience, mine took almost 6 months, because my mother was born overseas to a serving officer in the USAF. To their credit I got my Passport about a week after I told them.
Why did that matter or take six months?
My mother isn’t even a US citizen, wasn’t born in US, and I can’t even remember it coming up in the application. I received my first passport in less time than most people.
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### Author:  [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/12 "2012-06-08T04:56:20Z")
I’ll second the suggestions to get the card also, by **DrDeth** and **Dewey Finn**. I got it and it is handy, especially if you’re ever in need of another gov’t-issued ID. Well, that’s not often, however my DL isn’t easy to pull out of my wallet so when flying and clearing TSA checkpoints I just used the passport card.
I keep it in my wallet at all times and when going to Canada or Mexico I don’t bother bringing the full passport.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/13 "2012-06-08T13:04:00Z")
Thanks guys.
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### Author:  [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/14 "2012-06-08T14:15:58Z")
If you’re cruising the Caribbean and are departing and returning to the same port, you don’t have to have a passport. A birth certificate and a valid photo ID will work. That’s not to say that passports aren’t recommended or handy, just not required. Also, if you’re only getting a passport because of a Caribbean cruise, a passport card alone would be sufficient. They’re only good for cruises and driving across the borders of Mexico and Canada.
On our last Carnival cruise last summer, we all had either passport books or cards. When it was time to disembark, the line for those holding passports was MUCH shorter than those using other ID’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them were still in line.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/15 "2012-06-08T16:48:32Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#):
>
> If you’re cruising the Caribbean and are departing and returning to the same port, you don’t have to have a passport. A birth certificate and a valid photo ID will work. That’s not to say that passports aren’t recommended or handy, just not required. Also, if you’re only getting a passport because of a Caribbean cruise, a passport card alone would be sufficient. They’re only good for cruises and driving across the borders of Mexico and Canada.
>
> On our last Carnival cruise last summer, we all had either passport books or cards. When it was time to disembark, the line for those holding passports was MUCH shorter than those using other ID’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them were still in line.
Ha! This is _exactly_ what I’m doing. My cousin told me all I needed was a BC and a valid ID. I didn’t believe him though because I distinctly remember hearing on the news Passports are required now.
I live in Texas, so prehaps they were just talking about Mexico.
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### Author:  [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/16 "2012-06-08T16:55:05Z")
According to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative:
> [@](#):
>
> “Closed Loop” Cruises: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.
from [http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang\_eng/eng\_sa.html](http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html)
The countries you’re visiting won’t care about your passport. They care about your money. However, if there’s a problem and you’re stuck in a foreign country, a passport is invaluable.
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### Author:  [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/17 "2012-06-08T17:10:29Z")
> [@grude](#):
>
> Why did that matter or take six months?
>
> My mother isn’t even a US citizen, wasn’t born in US, and I can’t even remember it coming up in the application. I received my first passport in less time than most people.
I really don’t know why it took so long, it was never explained to me. I suspect that my Mothers birth in post war Germany was the issue as she was attended by German doctor and was issued a BC in Germany, which was later registered in the states upon my Grandparents return. This happened early in the post war occupation and the systems set up now did not exist yet. My application must have had some red flag in it.
The whole reason I posted was to get the OP to apply early, just in case…
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### Author:  [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/18 "2012-06-08T18:23:01Z")
> [@Capt\_Kirk](#):
>
> I really don’t know why it took so long, it was never explained to me. I suspect that my Mothers birth in post war Germany was the issue as she was attended by German doctor and was issued a BC in Germany, which was later registered in the states upon my Grandparents return. This happened early in the post war occupation and the systems set up now did not exist yet. My application must have had some red flag in it.
>
> The whole reason I posted was to get the OP to apply early, just in case…
I think the point was that you don’t need a parent’s birth certificate in order to get a passport, and I can’t imagine that you ever did, unless you were a very young child and your passport was dependent on her own passport. I can see her having a hard time getting a US passport given that situation
Your parents are essentially irrelevant except insofar as they’re on YOUR birth certificate, which you do need. Like **grude** , my mother was born outside the US and wasn’t an American citizen when I got my first US passport, but there was no point at which that information came up.
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### Author:  [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/19 "2012-06-08T18:43:08Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#):
>
> I think the point was that you don’t need a parent’s birth certificate in order to get a passport, and I can’t imagine that you ever did, unless you were a very young child and your passport was dependent on her own passport. I can see her having a hard time getting a US passport given that situation
>
> Your parents are essentially irrelevant except insofar as they’re on YOUR birth certificate, which you do need. Like **grude** , my mother was born outside the US and wasn’t an American citizen when I got my first US passport, but there was no point at which that information came up.
AAARGH you are missing the point, I am an American Citizen born in the states to American Citizen parents, a minor issue brought my Passport application to a screeching halt, a bureaucrat saw that my mother was born in another country and until the matter was resolved to his/her satisfaction no passport(likely anyway as no one told me the reason). The whole point of relating the story was apply early, so if there are any problems you don’t miss your trip, BTW this was in 2008 passport regs may have gotten more difficult and apps more scrutinized since 2001. Just trying to give advice from my own difficult expierence
Capt
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### Author:  [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-first-passport-please-advise/624433/20 "2012-06-08T19:52:27Z")
My SO travels internationally a lot for work, and his passport had been filled up. And he kept delaying renewing it, b/c he is like that.
You can expedite it, I think I remember he got it in a week, but you have to show a paper ticket–like, you are going and you need the passport. His was just a renewal b/c he was out of pages.
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