The information age has brought a wealth of information literally to people's fingertips
. All that is required is a few seconds to type an Internet search inquiry, a mouse click, and a list of Web sites meeting the search criteria is returned. People can even purchase an online US passport in a fraction of the time it takes to get a passport in-person.
Gone are the days of traveling to the post office or U.S. Passport Agency to obtain a passport. Passport applicants can now go to the U.S. Department of State Web site in order to download and complete the required documents to obtain a passport. Passport renewals may be accomplished entirely via mail in certain situations. There are even independent companies that offer expedited processing of passport applications and they can be found online as well.
These independent processing companies charge an additional fee, but they also offer people the option to obtain a passport within one to two business days. This is a blessing for anyone who needs a passport within a shorter processing timeframe than that offered by the federal government. The independent companies have well-established relationships with the relevant government agencies so they are able to expedite the passport process with ease.
Access to a printer will be necessary as there are forms that must be printed out and completed to be sent in to the provider for your new passport. These will consist of the proper governmental application form for the individual along with an order form for the provider. The order form simply lets them know exactly what type of online passport is being applied for and for whom.
The applicant will also need to provide copies of identifying documents. The main document required is a birth certificate. The format of the birth certificate must meet certain requirements, so it is important to check the provider's Web site for these details. The applicant should provide the proper format of birth certificate in order to expedite processing time.
Secondary forms of ID are also required such as a copy of a driver's license or state issued ID card. These should be no less than 6 months old as new licenses and IDs are not accepted on their own. There are secondary forms of ID that are accepted and a list of all of these will be found on the provider's websites.
New passport photos will also be needed to be sent in along with the rest of the paperwork. These should be done by a professional who understands all of the requirements regarding these photos. One thing that is stressed on each website is that vending machine photos are unacceptable for use by the issuing agency.