How do I get a passport?

[Triforceofcourage]

I am a total traveling noob but I want to start traveling outside the United States. I know I need a passport to leave the country but I don't know how to get one. Any help would be appreciated

Thanks,

Triforce

 

[xit2nowhere]

Go to a Federal building. Ask for passport department. Once there, fill some forms and follow directions. That's it.

 

[drnickriviera]

Post office

 

[blustori]

I am going through the same situation as you and let me tell you, it can be very frustrating. First of all, you need to get a a form and a passport picture from your post office. Once you get that and all the proper documentation, check online for the 1-877 number to schedule an appointment. You need an appointment before you go to the passport agency. This will take you a good 10 minutes or more depending on how well you understand the robot speaking to you. Get there on time and you should be straight.

 

[kranky]

Read this completely - it covers everything you need to know.

 

[IMaN00BieGF]

Give yourself a good 2 months to receive it after placing the order. They can take forever to get back..

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: blustori
I am going through the same situation as you and let me tell you, it can be very frustrating. First of all, you need to get a a form and a passport picture from your post office. Once you get that and all the proper documentation, check online for the 1-877 number to schedule an appointment. You need an appointment before you go to the passport agency. This will take you a good 10 minutes or more depending on how well you understand the robot speaking to you. Get there on time and you should be straight.

That's what passes for frustration these days? Life's a bitch I guess.


OP

1. Go to PO
2. Get forms and make appt at same time.
3 Fill out forms. An idiot could do it.
4. Take forms, your birth certificate, and a passport pic with you
5. Answer questions and give them your stuff. They mail your birth certificate back with your passport.

Now was that really that difficult?

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Give yourself a good 2 months to receive it after placing the order. They can take forever to get back..

QFT, I think mine took 3.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Give yourself a good 2 months to receive it after placing the order. They can take forever to get back..

QFT, I think mine took 3.

THere is an option where you can get it in one or two weeks at most, but that is of course extra chargd.

 

[blahter]

If you are outside the US, the embassy will get you your passport in about a week. It used to take only an hour but after 9/11 it now takes about a week

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: blustori
I am going through the same situation as you and let me tell you, it can be very frustrating. First of all, you need to get a a form and a passport picture from your post office. Once you get that and all the proper documentation, check online for the 1-877 number to schedule an appointment. You need an appointment before you go to the passport agency. This will take you a good 10 minutes or more depending on how well you understand the robot speaking to you. Get there on time and you should be straight.

I just got my picture taken, went to the post office, filled out a bunch of forms, gave them my birth certificate, wrote a check, and played the waiting game.

It was probably one of the easiest documents I've ever obtained and the whole thing took less than two hours (including waiting for the photos to process and print).

 

[kmrivers]

What is this appointment thing....

1. get the form
2. fill out form and get pictures
3. take form to county clerks office
4. give them form pay money
5. ....
6. recieve passport

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Give yourself a good 2 months to receive it after placing the order. They can take forever to get back..

QFT, I think mine took 3.

I paid for expedited service, then again I waited until 2 weeks before departure. We received our passports within 10 days of mailing our application. If it matters we were renewing our passports.

 

[kmrivers]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Give yourself a good 2 months to receive it after placing the order. They can take forever to get back..

QFT, I think mine took 3.

I paid for expedited service, then again I waited until 2 weeks before departure. We received our passports within 10 days of mailing our application. If it matters we were renewing our passports.

It is random. I know people who have gotten it in 2 weeks, 2 months, etc. It depends on when you are doing it too. This may be a busy time because of people on summer vacations.

I applied for mine about 3 weeks after my roomate, he got his in about 1 month. Mine took 2 months. I hit the Christmas rush i think.

To be safe. Allow 3 months.

 

[narcotic]

There's a guy on my street who sells them cutom made for $250 a piece, you get to choose any name you want (you can use your AT forums nick), and from a variety of nationalities.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: kmrivers

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Give yourself a good 2 months to receive it after placing the order. They can take forever to get back..

QFT, I think mine took 3.

I paid for expedited service, then again I waited until 2 weeks before departure. We received our passports within 10 days of mailing our application. If it matters we were renewing our passports.

It is random. I know people who have gotten it in 2 weeks, 2 months, etc. It depends on when you are doing it too. This may be a busy time because of people on summer vacations.

I applied for mine about 3 weeks after my roomate, he got his in about 1 month. Mine took 2 months. I hit the Christmas rush i think.

To be safe. Allow 3 months.

Best advice ever. The sooner you do it, the better. Otherwise you may regret it and lose $$$ on your plane ticket/cruise.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: kmrivers
What is this appointment thing....

1. get the form
2. fill out form and get pictures
3. take form to county clerks office
4. give them form pay money
5. ....
6. recieve passport

When you return your forms, you will be asked a few questions and there is one place you need to sign in front of the postal worker or whoever. It takes 5 or 10 minutes for them to check your paperwork etc. For that they require you make an appointment. If you make it when you are getting your forms, that will be done. Just an organizational tip. You can make the appointment at another time, but then you would have to make another trip in.

 

[LarryS]

Not all Post Offices do Passports. The ones that process passports do not require an appointment.

 

[JEDI]

Passport

 

[FoBoT]

they still haven't cashed my check from getting my passport renewed. i sent it in the beginning of Feb. and i got the new one back about the first of march and the check has still not cleared. looks like the passport office lost my check

 

[ZetaEpyon]

You do not necessarily need to make an appointment. I filled out the pdf online and printed it, took the form and birth certificate to the post office, had the pictures taken, checks written, and signed the form with the post office witness. Took me all of about 5 minutes there.

Of course, if you live in a large city, it might take longer.

 

[spidey07]

heh, I just went to a walgreens drug store to get mine. very easy.

 

[EKKC]

http://www.state.gov/travel

 

[aloser]

I did my paperwork at the County Clerk's office.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Is there any way I can get a passport cheaper? Like student discount or what not?