How to Apply for a Passport and Get Approved on the First Try
The key to the lock known as travel is a passport. If you want to travel outside of your home country it is pretty much a requirement. If you travel domestically especially by airplane, then if expedites an already tedious process. Yet, many people find the passport process overwhelming and down right confusing. As usual I am here to help you clear the hurdles and open the door to the world of travel. I am going to teach you how to apply for a passport and make sure you get approved on the first try.
By Kavonda L. Rogers
How to apply for a passport?
You have some options when it comes to applying for a passport. The most traditional way is to fill out the form on the State Department’s Website. For ease I have linked it here. Once you fill out the form you then will take it to an Acceptance Center near your home. You can find a list of acceptance centers here.
You will need some items before you go to the intake center.
- Birth Certificate– This is where a lot of people get scared. The intake center will take possession of your birth certificate in order for the State Department to validate it. In other words, it will get sent to the State Department with your other items.
- You state issued identification. No worries in this case they will just make a copy.
- The form from the State Department’s website. It needs to be filled out completely and honestly.
- Payment. The cost to apply for a new passport (you’ve never had one before) is $110. If your nearest intake center is a Post Office, you will need an additional $35 for their processing fee. Both of these items need to be in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. They do not accept cash or personal checks. So be prepared.
- Passport photo. You can get a passport photo at your local CVS, Walgreen’s and if you are a AAA member you can get one at the local AAA center for a reduced cost. Pro tip: Skip the wally world passport photos as they are often rejected by the State Department.
Passport Services
If you want to go the easy route you can pay for a passport service to handle your application process. These services charge an additional fee on top of your passport application fee. This is a good option if you just don’t have time to do the process yourself.
Some Common Hurdles to Getting a Passport
Many times, when passports are rejected it often has to do with paperwork. So, make sure your paperwork is in order. Other times there are other things that make applying for a passport a special circumstance so let’s touch on some of the more common reasons passport applications are rejected.
- You have a felony drug conviction. Ouch I came out with the big guns, but this is a big reason why a passport application can be rejected. The reasons why this is important are pretty obvious, so I won’t go any deeper.
- You owe back child support. If this is an issue you will be rejected. Even if it is just one payment you will not be approved.
- Your passport photo is incorrect. If you don’t have the perfect passport photo (and don’t forget no smiling) your passport application can be rejected. Making sure the background is correct, the photo dimensions are correct are very important.
- You have had a major life change. If you changed your name (whether by request or marriage) make sure to include a copy of your marriage license or court documents. If you do not include these documents your application can be rejected.
Once you have done all the items above you just sit back and wait. Usually passport applications are processed within 6-8 weeks. Sometimes you can get your passport even sooner. So, jump in with both feet and get that passport!
I hope I have helped with your travel journey and everything you need to know about how to apply for your passport.
When did you get your first passport? Do you plan on applying for one? If so let me know in the comments below.
Also, if you want more tips and info about all things travel sign up for my newsletter below.
I’m Kavonda L. Rogers and I’m a Certified Travel Agent who specializes in Destination Weddings, Honeymoons and Group Travel in Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.
4. Have a world-famous smoothie bowl! If you visit the Kynd community is one of the many cafes in the Seminyak that sells smoothie bowls. Don’t forget to take photos before you dive in. 
