How do I get a passport?
Any U.S. citizen traveling out of the country will need a passport. A passport is a legal document proving citizenship in a particular country. Most passports include the bearer’s photograph, vital statistics and several blank pages for stamps from countries granting entry. For a citizen, a passport isn’t difficult to obtain, but as usually happens when government is involved, there is a process. This article will deal mainly with obtaining a United States passport. The first thing a person needs to do to get a passport is to make sure he has a driver’s license and birth certificate handy. Both will be needed to obtain the passport. The U.S. State Department’s Web site has a form available online for the person to fill out in advance, but this should not be signed until the passport agent approves the application. All first-time applicants must apply for a passport in person, and this can usually be done at a post office or circuit court clerk’s office at the county courthouse.
Obtain an application at your nearest passport office, courthouse, or post office. You will need a certified birth certificate (with raised seal and file number), and 2 duplicate non-glossy photographs measuring 2″ x 2″, taken within six months of application. (These are USA guidelines, please do check with your own government first if you are not a USA citizen.
You may apply for a passport at your local post office. Many cities also have local passport offices. For further information regarding obtaining a passport, please consult: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. Please keep in mind that you will need to allow 6-8 weeks for your passport to be processed.
In order to travel to China, you will need a passport and you will need a Chinese Visa. The easiest way to get a passport is to complete an application form available the post offices. Please refer to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738_2.html to read about getting a U.S. passport. For all passport services, see the U.S. State Department’s Web site at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738_2.html. You will need a DSP-11 passport if you have never had a passport before. For non U.S. citizens, please contact your government’s office that deals with foreign travel.
