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When making plans to visit a foreign country you will need to get a passport. Passports are legal documents that are provided by the government as proof of residency for that country. Passports typically contain a photograph and vital information. They will also have several blank pages that are intended for the stamps of foreign countries. The act of applying for a passport is a process that involves several essential steps to get the document issued.

The process of applying for a passport involves presenting your personal identification and proof of birth. Your driver's license or identification card will be required. You will also need to show an official copy of your birth certificate. Once you have these documents, you can start the application process for your passport.

In the case that you cannot locate a copy of your birth certificate, you will need to obtain one before applying for a passport. Obtaining your birth certificate can be done in person, requested over the phone, or via the Internet. You may also mail a request to Office of Vital Records in the county in which you were born.

Once you have your ID and birth certificate you are ready to being the process. It is possible to apply for a passport online, unless, however, you are applying for the first time. In that case, you will need to do so in person. If you have had a passport in the past, then you can re-apply online.

When applying online you simply need to pull up the website for the US. State Department. You should not sign this application until it has been approved, as there is a genuine risk of identity theft.

Applying for a passport for the first time involves visiting the post office or circuit clerk's office for your county, an office that is typically located in the county courthouse. Along with your ID and your birth certificate you will need to have a small 2” x 2” color photo. The easiest way to get a passport photo is to visit any store that processes film, such as a pharmaceutical store.

Once you have arrived at the post office or court clerk's office, you need to present your identification and photos to an agent. This agent will examine the material to make sure it is authentic and that it is indeed you and then based on this information they may approve the application. You can then sign the application at this time. Now you simply need to wait for the passport to arrive at your home via the postal service.

This process may take up to six months, from applying to receiving it in the mail. Considering how long this process can be, you should start the procedure well in advance of your planned trip. If for some reason you need to have this returned quickly, you can pay an expediting fee, which should reduce the waiting time considerably.

You may also contact your Congressman's office when applying for a pass port. Your passport will be good for 15 years before it needs to be renewed. When renewing a U.S. passport you do not need to go through the process of applying for a passport, but simply need to request an updated passport via the mail.

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