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7 Mistakes to Avoid When Getting a Passport

By Carolyn Barth posted 07-29-2019 02:37 PM

  

Here’s a situation you don’t want to be in:  Booking business travel outside the country (or even a personal holiday) only to realize that you don’t have your passport in time. Did you know that it can take more than 6 weeks to obtain a passport? We spoke with Rob Lee, co-founder of Swift Passport Services which helps obtain one in as little as 8 hours. 

What can you to make sure that doesn’t happen and all the money and time spent won’t go to waste? 

Follow these 7 tips:

  1. Only use a birth certificate that’s not issued by the state. Make sure the one you use is issued from the state with a raised seal. Order a long form certified certificate, which lists the full names of your parents. 
  2. Sign all your documents and make sure your check is in the right amount. Didn’t sign the DS-82 form, which is the passport renewal application? Forget a zero on your check? You aren’t getting your passport. It’s that simple.
  3. Get an ID that’s older than six months. If your state ID is less than six months old, you must submit additional forms of ID to ensure you are who you say you are. 
  4. Reference your name change. Did you change your name since your last passport was issued? You need a new one and to do that you must include proof of the name change such as a marriage license, divorce decree, or other court documents. 
  5. Pay your child support or the police are after you. That’s right, if you owe more than $2,500 in child support, the government will not issue you a passport. If there’s an arrest warrant in your name, or you’re currently summoned to appear in court or have felony issues, you’ll also get denied. 
  6. You didn’t follow instructions with your passport photo, your photo is blurry or underexposed, or your photo was taken more than six months ago. There are specific criteria for your passport photo and most clerks at Walgreens and CVS can help. Check the U.S. State Department for reasons why photos are rejected. 
  7. Your passport book is damaged. You can’t renew your passport if the previous book is damaged, period. 

Small business owners can make the process easier by planning ahead and avoiding these typical delays for getting their passport fast. 


Rob Lee is the co-founder of Swift Passport Services, which is the leader in Passport and Visa expediting.

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