There are various reasons for getting your U.S. passport. One is because you need a new one. Another reason is you need an old one replaced. A new passport requires steps to be done and copies of required documents while the additional steps mentioned are not required when all you need is a replacement. This guide is a short reading for those who are intending to get a copy of this important document.
Filled out application forms are the first requirement when getting passports or additional United States passport pages. The application form is a freely available document that can be downloaded on the Internet. There is no need to register or to be a member of a special organization in order to get a copy of this form. All those applying for passports should fill out the for completely and accurately.
There are only two kinds of application forms for passports. One is for getting new copies while the other is to request for replacement. A good reason for replacing passports is when the expiry date on the document is nearing nine months. Those who want to replace lost passports or damaged ones will be asked to apply for a new one. However, replacing lost passports needs a third form to be completed. In this form, the circumstances behind the loss are explained.
Applications for new passports, including those who damaged or lost their copies, have to get a certified copy of their birth certificates. There is a new ruling that requires the name of the applicant’s parents to be fully written on the certificate. Aside from this new rule, other information that should be present is the applicant’s full name and his place and date of birth. Make sure that the seal of the office where this document originated is there. It won’t be accepted if the seal is absent.
Those who have already completed the requirements should mail their documents if they are qualified for a replacement. Included in the envelope should be the old passport and the application form for replacement. Make the envelope big enough so all the papers will fit without folding them. Address this envelope to the National Passport Application Center. Those who are new applicants should bring their papers and make a personal appearance to any acceptance center.
The mailed passports that are qualified for replacement will be cancelled and returned to their owners. While not valid for travel, the old passports are still important documents. They can serve as proof of U. S. Citizenship.
The normal processing of applying for passports takes four to six weeks. You get faster processing times if you pay for an Expedited Passport Application. This will make your waiting time shorter to not more than three weeks.
Finally, it is best when getting your new passport to do it when you have no scheduled travelling plans. This way, you won’t get impatient. Because applications for passports are not hard to get or complete, there is no reason not to begin the process right away, even when applying for additional passport pages.

