Current Events > What's the process for getting a passport like?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Thinking about going to Canada at some point this summer

It's pretty straightforward. Just gotta take your passport photo either at a post office or some place that does passport photos and fill it the application at the post office. Some post offices require an appointment

I remember getting the documents together and wearing a solid blue or black t-shirt (there was something odd with that) to the post office. They took my picture, and I had to mail the documents to the office that grants it. They then mailed me my birth cert and shit back at a later date. My employer paid the fee for expediting but the website says there is no guarantee depending on the line. This was all about 8 years ago. I think it took about 2 weeks to get mine in the mail

yea, I just went to the post office, went to the passport section, filled out some paperwork, paid, took a picture, and I received the passport in the mail a few weeks later.

iirc, you can also have the process by expedited, but there's a fee.

Where I live it took me months to get an appointment so I went to the post office and waited on standby for 8 hours until they finally took me. Then it came in the mail 3 or 4 weeks later.

This was pre-pandemic.

What all do I need as far as documents go?

like others have said, it's pretty straight forward. just make sure you read the instructions carefully before going and make sure you bring the proper documents, etc. also, apply for one at least six months before you're planning to travel, just in case it gets delayed or something.

Antifar posted...

What all do I need as far as documents go?

this covers it all

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html

very easy. the place had all the documents ready for me to fill out. beforehand, i went to a small store to get some pictures taken for it, took no time at all, then just drove over and handed the photos and all my stuff. filled everything out, signed things, paid. easiest process in my life.

Antifar posted...

What all do I need as far as documents go?

I needed my birth certificate, ID, and social security card

Antifar posted...

What all do I need as far as documents go?

Birth certificate and ID is all that's needed iirc. They'll tell you what they accept.

You'll want to apply for it long before your trip.

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I'm recalling now that there are like 3rd parties you can pay to streamline it for you. Did you use one of those?

Getting your birth certificate can be a bitch - and it's just a photocopy usually but otherwise, you just fill out the form and either bring your photos (Walgreens & CVS do it for a fee (recommended)) or take it at the post office (last time I did this, the lady didn't give a damn and made me look like a terrorist). Whole thing took about 45 minutes once you get there, assuming no one's ahead of you.

Then you wait.

I sprung for the card too, even though it's only good for Canada & Mexico (and cruise ships?)

brestugo posted...

I sprung for the card too, even though it's only good for Canada & Mexico (and cruise ships?)

and isnt it only good if you are specifically NOT flying? I struggle to remember the specifics.

whetstone314 posted...

and isnt it only good if you are specifically NOT flying? I struggle to remember the specifics.

Correct. I just keep it as a backup ID. Plus, it is documented proof that I am a US citizen that I can carry in my wallet.

My parents live in a small city where the city clerk will do it for you if you are a resident.