Going to be getting my passport for the first time.
Any special tips or advice or is it pretty cut and dry?
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Going to be getting my passport for the first time.
Any special tips or advice or is it pretty cut and dry?
If you don’t need it asap then just follow the normal steps. There are different procedures to take if you need one expedited.
If you need it expedited, let me know I gotta guy, he has been doing passport and visas for 30-40 years. I use him either way, he makes it super easy. Cost more but he knows his stuff.
Good timing Ray! We ust booked a trip to Spain on Thursday and I don?t have one either.
Yeah, I?m looking to take a trip later in the year. Maybe Scotland and Ireland or something. Figured if I get the passport thing squared away first before booking something that would be the way to go.
We applied for new (renewal) passports last month. It took 29 days from date mailed to date received. Applying for a first passport it will likely take a little longer.
That's the way to go. Get the passport done first, then book the trip. Seems like most people do it the other way around (or they book the trip and then realize their passport is expired or about to expire) and they're running around with their hair on fire trying to get it squared away.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray1970
Mine expires next year, good reminder to me to get it renewed. [thumbsup]
Book the trip first, then you have to get the passport!
The trip is going to happen. Just not 100% sure where we?re going yet other than some place that I?ll need a passport.
They're not going to have it back in 3 days.Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthPaw
On a serious note, better apply sooner than later. Who knows what if any effect the shutdown will have, on turn around time.
I just got one for the first time a few months ago. It was easiest to just go to the post office and have them handle it all including the photo. It was about three weeks from the time I turned in the application to when I received it in the mail.
How much $$$ is a passport now a days???
Cheap but good passport photo takers.
Non expediated way ( post office) is least expensive.
Mine expired and I need to renew. I rarely travel now.
Cheapest/easiest passport photos I've found are Costco. Regular process is fine, unless you need it fast.
If you do need it fast, the private expediter services feel like a scam, but actually work - they have standing appointments at the passport agencies, which seems somehow wrong to me.
It is not a hard thing to do, you can get locations online and most post offices can get you an application. I needed one expedited and it took 15 days, my renewal did not need to be expedited and it took 22 days to receive it. I got my photos at a Walgreens and like the DMV they snap the photo when you are not ready so be ready when you step in front of the camera.
A passport also helps when you order a rifle from the CMP!
I don't need it for seven months but I will be sure to get on it this week so it's one less thing to have to worry about.
We just recently (2 months ago) submitted and received ours. Took only 4 or 5 weeks. We had our stuff already filled out and documentation in hand and went to the post office to submit it on Colfax and Chambers.
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-shutdown.html
Ive found that wearing a "Death to America" shirt in your photo will really, really, really......really delay the process.
I went to the Northglenn office, made an appointment for 8:00 am.
Went in, filled out forms, paid $155 ($110 for book, rest for pictures and other fees) first timer is more. Left about 20 minutes after.
They took my citizenship certificate.
Went 12/31, got my citizenship certificate back 1/11, nothing else yet.
Can be done, but it's a PITA.Quote:
Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo
Bottom line, I would just follow the normal procedure.
Walgreens can do Passport photos, and they are usually a little cheaper.
Some post offices will do the photos too.
I would go to one that can do photos as well. We went to Walgreens and Walgreens screwed up our pictures, so we had them done on site luckily.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scanker19
According to the Department of State website, passport apps are business as usual at this time.
it always peeved me that they charge 10+$ for passport photos - the passport website has a tool to help you size your photos, and you can fit six 2x2 photos on a 0.25$ print - use the other 5 for when you apply for your stamps!
Definitely apply sooner rather than later.Quote:
Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo
That said, I was able to obtain a passport inside of 2 days once (may have even been same day, don't recall exactly), so it can be done quickly in some cases.
Also, better off getting the thick version IMO, even if you don't expect to need it.
The same place that does finger prints and photos can use your same photos for passports.Quote:
Originally Posted by feal
Excited that you'll be traveling abroad for the first time ever. Can't wait to hear all about it.
Also, you cannot wear a full face burka in your passport photo.
Thanks for the useful information.
So, I?m currently sporting a beard but chances are I may not when it comes travel time. Hope that doesn?t throw anyone for a loop when my trip comes.
Also, do I put my hair color as brown or gray? I?m kind of in that in between stage at this point in my life.
Those are two good questions, do you put salt & peppa for hair color when you are going grey ? What about women that change their hair color with the seasons ? And beards & facial hair is a good question also ?Quote:
Originally Posted by ray1970
I just do whatever my driver's license says so I'll have consistent documents.
That's an 11 on the ambiguity meter. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthPaw
O2
Ha! Well I meant we booked our trip on last Thursday for the middle of August.Quote:
Originally Posted by O2HeN2
Do not get a photo with a beard, then shave it off to travel. Think of your left nut when they take the passport picture. Do not make jokes when you hand the foreign customs agent your passport. If you drink on the plane, you will have a massive headache when you land. Get a concealable wallet that hangs around your neck to hold your passport and emergency cash. Wear that wallet inside your shirt. I forget all the other shit.
Um, seriously. What does that mean?Quote:
Originally Posted by BushMasterBoy
Got mine last year. Can't smile in passport photos anymore. Quick and easy photos at FedEx Office (formerly Kinkos).
Went through USPS. The real freak-out for me was when they took our original documents. We received our passports, but without getting back the originals. We called and found out that the original documents are returned through a different process. Got everything back, so no worries.
Just recently found out that the passport was really handy for I-9 verification for a new job.
Not being able to smile on document photos is mind boggling to me. If someone looking at you smiling in a photo, can't tell if it's you not smiling in person, then there is no point to the photo in the first place.
When you can take the pebble from my hand, you may leave the temple.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChickNorris
How can I think about my genitals without smiling?
You could think about BushMasterBoy's genitals if that will help.
Delfuego, can I pm you for info? Oldest daughter went to Ireland for school, and I need a passport just in case I need to head over, i put it off, now it's kinda crunch time
If you have more than 6 weeks, you can do it just via the regular method. I think doing that I even had mine in 3. And if it's closer in time, you can still do it, but it'll cost more (like $50 expedited, but you'll have it in about 2 weeks tops).