Passport Requirements: What It Takes to Get a Passport

There are general passport requirements and, then, there are those that are specific to each particular type of service. The general requirements are listed below with a brief description for each. Specific requirements are discussed on web pages for each respective service.

1. You must be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen national.

Passports are only issued to applicants who possess U.S. citizenship or are non-citizen nationals. Frequently, we receive emails from green card holders wanted to know how they can apply for a U.S. passport. They can't unless they go through the process of becoming naturalized citizens of the United States first. U.S. citizenship must be proved in order to get a passport unless the person is a non-citizen national.

What is a non-citizen national? Not a surprising question given the fact that non-citizen national are rare. Section 308 Immigration and Nationality Act confers U.S. nationality but not U.S. citizenship on persons born in or having ties with "an outlying possession of the United States." The outlying possessions are defined as American Samoa and Swains Island. Also, children born abroad to two non-citizen nationals or to one alien parent and one non-citizen national parent are eligible for non-citizen national status. This is so rare that the State Department does not even issue a certificate for it. Non-citizen nationals are delineated as such in their passports.

2. Complete the appropriate application form.

Each service requires the completion of a specific passport application form. It is important that the appropriate form be filled in as completely as possible. Failure to answer some questions may result in a delay. However, an applicant should never include knowingly incorrect information. Instructions are included with each form to help with the process. The applications are short and usually only require a few minutes to complete.

3. Submit required supporting documents.

Just as each service requires a specific application form, specific supporting documents are also required for each. Possible documents that may be requested include evidence of citizenship, proof of identification, passport photos, name change document, evidence of relationship between parent and child and any number of others as the Department of State deems necessary. If additional documents are required, you will be notified by mail.

Instructions for each passport service includes a list of primary and secondary documents that are acceptable. Careful attention to the specifications of each document is vital if you want to avoid delays in the process.

4. Pay the passport fees.

There are both required and optional passport fees. The number and amount of the fees depends on the type of passport service you are requesting and how quickly you need to get your travel document. Possible payment options include personal check, cashier's check, money order, cash or credit card depending on the location where you are applying.

These general passport requirements are just an introduction to what is necessary in order to obtain a US passport. For a list of specific requirements, visit the web page for the service that you need by selecting from the options in the menu to the left.

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