Applying for a US passport is generally a 6 step process as outlined below. For more detailed information please visit the US state department website at www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_840.html or the US Postal Service website at www.usps.com/passport/welcome.htm. We hope this information helps make the process of getting a US passport a staightforward and simple process for you.

Sincerely
Al & Doris Errington

News Regarding Passports for the US-Canada Border Posted from our Wilderness Weblog June 1, 2009 From the sounds of this article from the Windsor Star, US Border Services have a good handle on the passport issue for returning to the US from Canada and there are no extra delays at the border entering the United States. "New passport rules cause few border delays" "Both passenger and commercial traffic were flowing normally, with only brief warnings issued by U.S. border guards for those without the proper documents. A small paper information leaflet with a banner of "non-compliant" was given to anyone who failed to produce a passport or other satisfactory documents under Washington's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative rules, which also allow for use of enhanced drivers' licences or NEXUS cards to enter the U.S. at land borders. "The new rule has not affected our traffic at all, and we don't anticipate it will," said Chief Ron Smith, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in Detroit. "We know we are going to have people crossing without documents. It's not our goal to stop traffic, but instead, go through an informed compliance period so people know what they need to do." Hope this article helps anyone contemplating a vacation in Canada this summer who does not yet have a passport, enhanced drivers license, or NEXUS Card. Have a Good Day! Al Errington Errington's Wilderness Island Resort Northern Ontario Canada www.WildernessIsland.com

Applying for a US Passport

How to Apply in Person for a Passport

Should You Apply In Person?

If you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time. -Yes

If your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged. -Yes

If your previous U.S. passport has expired & was issued more than 15 years ago. -Yes

If your previous passport has expired and it was issued when you were under 16. -Yes

If your name has changed since your passport was issued and you do not have a legal document formally changing your name. -Yes

Where can you apply for a US Passport in person?

Many US post offices, clerks of court, public libraries and other state, county, township, and municipal government offices to accept passport applications. Some will take photos on site: The US State department has a "Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page" wher you can input your zip code to find the nearest passport office at www.iafdb.travel.state.gov.

NOTE: All persons must have their own passports, including infants.

For All Minors Under Age 14 :
Each minor child shall appear in person.
All applications for children under 14 require both parents' or legal guardians' consent.

For All Minors Age 14 to 17:
Each minor child shall appear in person.
For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.
If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child and present identification.

To Apply in Person for a U.S. Passport

You MUST:

1. Provide Application for Passport, Form DS-11
Forms can be obtained from any passport agency or acceptance facility or from the US State department website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html

NOTE: Please do NOT sign the DS-11 application form until the Passport Acceptance Agent instructs you to do so.

You may prove U.S. Citizenship with any one of the following:
Previous U.S. Passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as evidence of U.S. citizenship.)
Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state
NOTE: A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth
Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
Naturalization Certificate
Certificate of Citizenship

A Delayed Birth Certificate filed more than one year after your birth may be acceptable if it:
Listed the documentation used to create it and
Signed by the attending physician or midwife, or, lists an affidavit signed by the parents, or shows early public records.

If you do NOT have a previous U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate, you will need:

1. Letter of No Record
Issued by the State with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you.

2. AND as many of the following as possible: 
Baptismal certificate
Hospital birth certificate
Census record
Early school record
Family bible record
Doctor's record of post-natal care

NOTES: These documents must be early public records showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of your life.

You may also submit an Affidavit of Birth, form DS-10, from an older blood relative, i.e., a parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, who has personal knowledge of your birth. It must be notarized or have the seal and signature of the acceptance agent.

If you were born abroad AND do not have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Birth on file, you will need:
1 If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to one U.S. citizen parent:
Foreign birth certificate,
Proof of citizenship of your U.S. citizen parent, AND
An affidavit of your U.S. citizen parent showing all periods and places of residence or physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.

2 If you claim citizenship through birth abroad to two U.S. citizen parents:
Your foreign birth certificate,
Parent's marriage certificate, AND
Proof of citizenship of your U.S. parents and an affidavit of your U.S. citizen parents showing all periods and places of residence of physical presence in the United States and abroad before your birth.

NOTE: The following are NOT proof of citizenship
Voter registration cards
Army discharge papers

We have new information on foreign-born children adopted by U.S. citizens.

NOTE: If you travel extensively, you may request a larger, 48-page passport at no additional cost. To do so, please attach a signed request for a 48-page passport to your application.

FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14:
The citizenship evidence submitted for minors under the age of 14 must list both parents' names. Read more information on the citizenship requirements for minors under the age of 14.

You may prove your identity with any one of these, if you are recognizable:
Previous U.S. passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as proof of identity.)
Naturalization Certificate
Current, valid
Driver's license
Government ID: city, state or federal
Military ID: military and dependents

NOTE:  Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity.

If none of these are available , you will need:
1 Some signature documents, not acceptable alone as ID

(ex: a combination of documents, such as your Social Security card, credit card, bank card, library card, etc.)

AND
2 A person who can vouch for you. He/she must
Have known you for at least 2 years,
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident,
Have valid ID, and
Fill out a Form DS-71 in the presence of a passport agent.

FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14:

Each minor child shall appear in person. Both parents or legal guardians must present evidence of identity when they apply for a minor under the age of 14. Read more information on the identity requirements for minors under the age of 14.

FOR MINORS 14 to 17:
Your child MUST appear in person.
For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.
If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child, present identification and co-sign the application.

Your photographs must be:
2x2 inches in size
Identical
Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
Color
Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
Taken in normal street attire
Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

NOTE:Vending machine photos are not generally acceptable

The 13 Passport Agencies Accept:

For Passport Application and Execution Fee:
Credit Cards ­ VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
Debit/Check cards (not ATM cards)
Checks, money orders, bank drafts

The over 7,000 Passport Acceptance Facilities Accept:

For Passport Application Fee:
Personal checks, money orders, and bank drafts at all locations
Exact cash at some locations

For Execution Fee:
Money orders and bank drafts at all locations
Personal checks and exact cash at some locations
Credit cards at U.S. Postal Facilities and some other locations

NOTE: When applying at one of the thousands of designated application acceptance facilities in the U.S., you pay the application processing fee to the "U.S. Department of State" and the execution fee to the facility where you are applying. When applying at a Regional Passport Agency, both fees are combined into one payment to the "U.S. Department of State."

If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty. If you have any questions please call your nearest IRS office.

Al, Doris, Devin & Morgan Errington would like to welcome you to take a train or float plane in to our secluded wilderness island lodge for Great Fishing, Wonderful Wildlife and Relaxing Wilderness Vacations in Northern Ontario Canada. Enjoy Yourselves, the Erringtons

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