Having just gone through the procedures for obtaining a passport, I thought it would be a good idea to share the experience (there was a few surprises). Since I had never applied for a passport before there were a few things I had to learn. But overall the process was easier than I imagined. I performed all of the application process at the Postal Office, but you can visit this webpage for a headstart right now.
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**Update – My passport arrived exactly two weeks after I applied. This was much faster than I had thought!
1) Obtain your birth certificate
Some people will surely laugh when I say this, but I thought the document from the hospital where I was born was my birth certificate. This is a form with a picture of the hospital and two ink imprints of my baby feet on the back. I think I formed this conclusion because it’s the only document that I can ever recall seeing related to my birth. And interesting Carnival Cruise Line let me on a cruise ship in New Orleans using that document as my birth certificate years ago. So that reinforced my belief that those two imprints of my baby feet represented my birth certificate. I mean really, when you think about it, what form could prove who you are any more than one with your prints from birth.
My state Department of Health and Records website redirected me to www.vitalchek.com. Through their website I purchased a copy of my birth certificate for $15.00. Then shipping and handling was another $7.50. Now vitalchek.com offered an ‘airmail’ option for $20.00 or something, it was a lot more. But I didn’t see how that would speed up the processing. As it turned out I was right. The order is still processed at your state’s Department of Health. I ordered the certificate on Saturday and it arrived the following Thursday. So I wouldn’t pay for the ‘airmail’ unless you just enjoy spending money.
2) You need a Government issued photo I.D.
I just used my state issued drivers license to satisfy this part of the application process. But you can also use a state issued photo I.D. or a military I.D..
3) Call the Post Office to make an appointment
If you have time to stop by in advance, pick up the written passport application form so you can go ahead and fill it out. At the appointment you will fill out the form (if you haven’t already), have your photo taken, present your photo I.D., and pay using your checkbook.
4) During the appointment
At my Post Office there is a side door that says ‘Administrative Services’. Behind that door were all the offices for Passports and other activities. First she gave us the forms to fill out. Here’s the surprising information you need to know:
Your parents birth date and place of birth
Your spouse (or ex-spouse) date and place of birth
Your date and place of marriage
The year of your divorce (if applicable)
I wasn’t expecting to have to produce information related to a previous marriage. After the forms were filled out we were taken to a room to have our photo taken. I stood in front of a white dry erase board and she snapped the pic. She then sat the camera down to allow the prints time to form. We ended up having to take my photo again because there was a mysterious green dot right next to my head. This time I stood in front of a white cardboard wall and the pic turned out normal.
I had to write out a check to the U.S. Department of State for $75.00. Also, I had to write out a check to the U.S. Postal Service for $40.00 (this covered the price of the photo and handling).
5) Time to wait
My birth certificate, which I had just obtained, was taken away from me. It seems that your birth certificate is sent off with your passport application. The lady at the Post Office said that it will return to me in the mail, but separate from my passport. She said that current processing is about 4 to 6 weeks. But she did comment that someone recently had gotten theirs in two weeks.
