Usually, the US government issues a passport as a means to identify the country of origin of every bearer as well as other vital personal details. This document is therefore very important because every US citizen will need it to travel abroad. There is some vital information you need to bear in mind when you want a passport replacement.
How do you go about replacing it if the valuable document already issued is no longer within your reach? What are the acceptable reasons for your request to be valid? These and many other similar questions will be answered in this article.
When One Is Needed
To start with, you can start thinking of replacing the travel document if it was issued to you before you attained the legal age of 16 years. You may also qualify for a replacement should it get lost, stolen or damaged. Other conditions that will qualify you to replace the document include a legal change of name and when the previous passport issued to the bearer is more than 15 years old.
Report Lost/Stolen ID
However, you need to first report your lost or stolen travel document to the US Department of State for consideration. Alerting them is key to the success of your application and it is a very simple process. Just complete a DS-64 form and submit it to the State Department. Getting this form is also very easy if you go through a reputable acceptance facility or an approved agency.
DS-11 Form
To start your application process, you will need to complete the DS-11, the form for the replacement of your lost, expired or damaged travel document. You are required to write legibly only in black ink. You also need to submit valid evidence of being a US citizen. Do not worry if you can’t release your original documents as photocopies of your valid documents can still be acceptable.
In addition, you will also need to provide any undamaged travel document that was issued to you in the past and one of a set of documents considered valid. You can also be required to submit your birth certificate or a consular report of your birth abroad. When that is not within your reach, you can submit a naturalization or citizenship certificate as an alternative.
Other Documents Needed
You may also be required to submit one of these forms of identification in addition to the ones already mentioned above. Your driver’s license, military ID card or government ID card may be part of these required documents. After that, do not forget to include 2 photos (about 2 by 2 inch size) taken within 6 months of the date of your application. You must be dressed in proper clothing, face forward with a white or off white background.
Finally, when trying to process a American passport replacement, do not forget to provide all the required documents in the exact required forms. You will also need to bring your application, DS-11 form and other forms of identification, photos, cash, check or credit card. You will need to provide all these to the approved agency in order to start processing your documents early. Then, sit back and await the success of your application. Good luck! If you were wondering how to get a pasport replacement, now you know!
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