FAQ Category: New Passport Questions

Where Can I Find a Passport Offices?

QUESTION:   I have a question about where I can locate a passport office. Are they relatively hard to find? I live in Ohio and I would like to know where the closest facility is so I can apply for my passport.

ANSWER:    At the USPASSPORTHELPGUIDE.COM, there are plenty of information regarding passport office locations, application acceptance facilities, passport agencies, embassies, and consulates. A passport application acceptance facility is not hard to find. Hence, if you have the right information. Below is a link that will provide you with various locations in Ohio. At any of these locations you can complete your passport application.

If you are not in a rush, you can mail your documents to the nearest passport facility. Given your eligibility, mailing your passport documents can be very convenient. We advise that you use a tracking system. This way you will know exactly where your documents are and when they arrive at their destination. On the other hand, if you need your passport services in a rush, then you should visit your local passport agency. At the passport agency, they can process your passport services quicker than a passport application acceptance facility.

Using a Tyvek envelope when sending the passport documents will prevent the documents from damage during the process. USPS priority mail is a decent service to use to mail your passport documents.

Passport Acceptance Facilities – Where to Find Passport Acceptance Facilities?

Question: Where to find Passport Acceptance Facilities? I live in Arkansas and I would like to know where the closest facility is so I can apply for my passport.

Passport Frequently Asked Questions and AnswersAnswer: Passport acceptance facilities are not hard to come by if you have the proper tools. At the USPASSPORTHELPGUIDE.COM, there are plenty of information regarding locations of passport acceptance facilities, passport agencies, and embassies and consulates. Please click on Arkansas to get a listing of facilities in your state.

If you need your passport services in a rush, then you should visit your local passport agency. At the passport agency, they can turn around passports and passport services quicker than a passport acceptance facility.

In addition, if you are not in that much of a rush, you can mail your documents in for passport services. If you are eligible, mailing of passport documents for passport services is very convenient. We recommend that you use a tracking type of mailing system. This way you will know exactly where your documents are and when exactly they arrive to the destination.

USPS priority mail is a good service to use to mail your passport documents. In addition, it is advice to use a Tyvek envelope when sending the passport documents so none gets damage during the process.

Validity on the Passport – What is the validity of my passport if it was given to me at 19?

Question:  I applied for my passport when I was 19 years old. What is the validity on the passport I have?

Passport Frequently Asked Questions and AnswersAnswer:  Since you got your passport at the age of 19, the passport that you possess is an adult passport. The validity on the passport is 10 years. The 10-year validity on the passport starts to count down when it came into your possession. This means that your passport will expire when you are the age of 29 years old. Unless during this time, you loses your passport and must reapply for a new one. If that should happened, then the date of validity will change.

If you were given a passport that is for a minor, the validity on the passport is for 5 years. In addition, a minor passport can be renew. This would be if at the time of renewal, the minor is still under the age of 15. Otherwise, the minor would have to apply for a new passport, which is then an adult passport.

It is advice when renewing a passport, that you renew the passport nine months prior to it expiring. This recommendation is because some countries require a certain amount of validity left on the passport before entering that country. So, if your passport is about to expire and you want to travel abroad, you may face issues when trying to enter the country. Therefore, we recommend renewing your passport at least 9 months before it expires.

US Citizen – Is there a certain time limit before I can apply for a U.S. passport?

Passport Frequently Asked Questions and AnswersQuestion:  Is there a certain time limit that needs to be reached before I can apply for a passport after becoming a US citizen?

 

Answer:  We compliment you on becoming a US citizen. Now that you are a US citizen, you are able to apply for a U.S. passport right away. To apply for a passport, there are some guide lines and requirements that you must follow and provide.

First, you must obtain and complete Form DS-11. Form DS-11 Application for a New Passport is use when applying for a passport for the first time. In addition, this form provides detail information on additional requirements or supporting documents. For a passport you must provide proof of identity and a passport size photo. Since you are a US citizen, you are able to use your Naturalize Citizenship Certificate as proof of identity.

The form along with the fees and additional documents can be process at most post offices. Post offices have the authority given by the Department of State to process passport. This process usually takes 4-6 weeks. There are other ways to process a passport. Another would be using and expedite service if you are in a rush. This service speeds the process by 2-3 weeks. Of course, the cost will be more. Nevertheless, you will have a US passport to show your family and friends.

Note: There are special requirements for minors under the age of 16.

Acceptance Facilities – Is there any way that I can get a list of Passport Application Acceptance Facilities?

Passport Frequently Asked Questions and AnswersQuestion:  Is there any way that I can get a list of Passport Application Acceptance Facilities? I would like to know which facilities I live closest too.

Answer:  A passport application acceptance facility will not be too difficult to find if you have the proper tools. At US Passport Help Guide , there is an abundance of information pertaining to locations of passport application acceptance facilities, passport agencies, and embassies and consulates.

If you are in need of your passport services in a hurry, then you should visit your local passport agency. At the passport agency, they can process your passport needs and passport services very fast. Faster than a passport application acceptance facility. A faster process will lead to a quicker turn around to get a passport.

On the other hand, if you are not in a hurry, you can mail your documents in for passport services. First, you will need to check if you are eligible to mail your passport documents for passport services. This is a very convenient way to handle your passport services if time is on your side. We recommend that you use a tracking mailing system. This way you will know exactly where your documents are and when exactly they arrive to their destination.

USPS priority mail is an ideal service to use to mail your passport documents. In addition, it is also advise to use a Tyvek envelope. A Tyvek envelope protects the documents from undesirable weather conditions.

Therefore, with all the options available to find a facility, it will make starting your passport application process easy and quick. Just keep in mind whichever choice you make to process your application, the cost will be different.

US Passport – Is it true that my passport is only valid for 5 years?

Passport Frequently Asked Questions and AnswersQuestion:  Is it true that my passport is only valid for 5 years? I got it when I was 15 years old and I would like to know when I should renew my passport before it expires.

Answer: Being that you got your passport at the age of 15, your current passport is not an adult passport. The lifespan of a minor’s passport is 5 years. The 5-year validity that is on the passport for a minor starts when the passport was first approve to the applicant. What this means is, your passport will expire when you are 20 years old.

Since your passport was under a minor category, it is good for 5 years. In addition, when it time comes to renew the passport, since it is a minor’s passport, it has to be renewed in person at a passport application acceptance facility. In contrast to a passport for an adult, which can be renewed through the mail.

It is best to renew a passport approximately nine months before it is to expire. This recommendation is in regards to certain countries requirements on the validity left on a passport after departuring that country. For example, if your passport is about to expire in a couple of months and you travel abroad; you may face issues when trying to enter the foreign country because of the lack of validity on the passport. So we advise to renew your passport at least 9 months before expiration.

Question:  I will be traveling from Mexico to the US. I have dual citizenship and I want to know what passport I should use to enter the US. Should I use my Mexican passport or my US passport to have less of a hassle?

Answer:  Being that you possess both a US passport and a Mexican passport that means you possess dual citizenship. Since you will be traveling to the U.S. and possess a valid US passport, we advise you to use the US passport to travel to the U.S.

This is because; U.S. citizens will not be denied entry into the U.S. At the port of entry, if you were using a Mexican passport, you may face some issues. Issues you may not encounter by using a U.S. passport. In addition, in order to be denied entry into the U.S. and have a smooth cross over at the point of entry, a US passport serves as a big help in doing.

Moreover, if your passport from the U.S. is invalid, then you may face some difficulties. Although Mexico shares a border to the U.S. and is very close, passport officials do not give any leeway and will treat crossings from Mexico to the U.S. very seriously. So, to avoid any difficulties, use the US passport that you possess.