Procedures for First-Time Passport holders in 2022

When you realise you need a passport, the clock starts ticking.

And more and more people are realising they require one. Our northern and southern neighbours, Canada and Mexico, both require a valid U.S. passport for entry. Additionally, beginning May 3, 2023, U.S. travellers will be required to have a passport, REAL ID, or military ID in order to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. Visit the passportsandvisas.com website to learn more about the REAL ID requirements.

Applying for a U.S. passport for the first time isn't difficult if you have all of the necessary documents and time to spare. Here are the steps you must take. 

Plan a visit to a passport facility:

If you are applying for your first passport, if your passport has been lost or stolen, if you need a passport for a child under the age of 16, or if you require an expedited turnaround, you must apply at an authorised passport acceptance facility.

Collect all necessary documentation:

To apply for a passport, you must demonstrate that you are who you say you are and that you are a U.S. citizen.

What you'll need is as follows: 

Identity verification:

Bring a valid photo ID, such as a U.S. driver's licence, naturalisation certificate, military or government identification, a valid passport, or another approved ID.

Documentation of citizenship:

You'll need one approved document proving your legal citizenship in the United States. A certified birth certificate (one that includes both parents' names, the registrar's seal, and the applicant's full name), a naturalisation certificate, a certificate of citizenship, a consular report of birth abroad (for children born abroad to U.S. parents), or a valid passport (even if it's expired) are all acceptable. 

You must submit an original or certified copy of your citizenship documentation. It must be a physical document rather than a digital copy. You must also bring a legible, black and white photocopy of that proof of identification.