How to gat a passport online in the US
One must be grateful for the comforts the technology offers, the influence of the internet has made things so easy to get a passport online in US, whether it’s for a new passport or renewal. There are no more hectic procedures of the federal government, you can save time and money and get things done from the cozy comforts of your home.
When you think of how to get a passport online, the first step is to get the passport application forms filled, but before you take the initial step you will have to make sure that the online form is suitable to you. You can fill the form and submit it online, but the process is not complete until you sign on the form and return it with substantiating documents
How to fill an online Form
The passport application form has all the detailed information at every step, once you fill in the form with all the required details, it is sent online to IPS, IPS prints it and posts you the print out. You should verify the details, sign it and send back the form to the IPS. Other than the form, certain documents are also needed. Any supporting documents will be sufficient, birth certificate, ID proof (state or Federal) or a valid driver’s license. If you don’t have the key substantiation of us citizenship and in case your birth certificate doesn’t meet the demanded requirements you can submit a form of secondary evidence for confirmation of your us citizenship.
From 2011, The US department of State has made it mandatory that the application should have the full name of the applicant’s parents and this has to be listed on all certified birth certificates which will be taken as the prime evidence of the us citizenship irrespective of the age factor. An application without the above mentioned information will not be entertained. This part of law will not effect for those who has already submitted the application before April 1st 2011.
Specifications of photos
You will need two identical photos with your application, this must be similar in color, the size must be 2 inches by 2 inches, the photograph should reflect your present looks, and you should wear a normal dress. Wearing dark glasses with tinted lenses should be avoided.
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Normal Home Printers
A normal home printer will not give a good quality printout, that’s the reason for depending on the IPS printouts, a printout taken in your home printer, in all the probability will be ineffectual.
Why the whole process is not done electronically
To get a passports online in US, the whole application process cannot be done electronically for practical reasons. Theoretically you can email the forms to the IPS, scanned documents, digital photographs and a scanned electronic signature, but this service is not in practice for various reasons.
a) There is always an element of risk involved in the process, a risk of deception, probably an identity theft making use of the digital photos.
b) For the highly sophisticated IPS equipments, normal scanners will not be able to send the precise data.
Barcode Number
You should make note of the barcode number on the application when you return the form to the IPS, this number is of 10 digits and you can find it on the front page, this number is also called reference number which can be used during enquires related to your application in future.If you are returning the form through the post office check and send service, you will be provided with a receipt of acceptance of your application. Keeping the receipt carefully is required as you will need it for further enquiries on your application status.
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