Speed Your Visit to the Passport Acceptance Agent

We don't know anyone who likes standing in line. Whether you're waiting in line for Hamilton tickets, or for pastriesat the trendiest new bakery, or trying to get a new passport, you'll want to get what you came for in as little time as possible! Arecord number of passport applications are expected this summer, and that means that the lines at Passport Acceptance Facilities are long and getting longer. Today, we'll bring out our best tips to make your visit to the Passport Acceptance Agent a quick and successful one. Everyone behind you in line will thank you, too!

Tip 1: Make an Appointment

There are two types of Passport Acceptance Facilities: those that require appointments, and those that take applications on a walk-in basis.

With so many people now applying for passports, you may think it would be easier to go to a walk-in facility. However, you might face a long line of other applicants! It's worth it to call around first to see if you can get a slot at an appointment-only facility. Having a reserved time to see a Passport Acceptance Agent will mean you'll be able to get in and out quickly.

If you do need to go to a walk-in facility, try to go early in the morning. You may even want to get there before they open, so you can be at the front of the line! Some facilities will even start turning people away before their closing time if they know they have more people in line than they will be able to service in one day.

Tip 2: Bring the Right People

Applying for a minor passport for your child?Make sure you have the right people with you when you go to the Passport Acceptance Facility!

Many people don't know that the child needs to appear in person in order to submit a passport application. Even if you are applying for a passport for a newborn, the child applicant must be present when the application is reviewed by the Passport Acceptance Agent.

Both parents also should be present when the passport application is submitted. It's mandatory that at least one parent must be there in person. If you aren't able to have both parents go with the child, the parent who isn't there must have signed and notarized Form DS-3053, the statement of consent. (Your family doesn't fit the traditional mold of mother, father, and kids? No problem. Check out our article on parental consent for different family situations.)

You don't want to wait in line to submit your child's passport application only to be turned away, so make sure you havethe right members of your family with you.

Tip 3: Fill Out Forms in Advance

One of the services that Passport Acceptance Facilities offer is that they give out free copies of US passport applications. But don't wait until you get there to fill out your application! You'll save time at the Acceptance Facility if you have already filled out your passport application before you get there. You can either download copies and fill them out by hand or fill them out online and print them.

You'll want to make sure that your passport application is filled out completely and correctly. If you make any mistakes on the application, you will have to fill out another one on the spot, while the line behind you keeps growing.

Justdon't sign your passport application until you are instructed to do so by the Passport Acceptance Agent. The agent needs to witness your signature.

Tip 4: Have Your Photos Ready

Many Passport Acceptance offices offer photo services on-site. This can be a convenient option for people who haven't had time to go and get their photos beforehand. Most facilities that offer this service charge between $10 to $15 for photos.
But if you're trying to get in and out of the passport office as fast as possible, you won't want to wait to get your photos there. Instead, get your passport photos in advance and bring them with you to the passport office. There are many places where you can get passport photos, so you're sure to find an option that works for you and your schedule.

The other advantage to getting your passport photo in advance is that you'll have more control over it. If you get your photo taken at the drugstore and you hate it, you can always go get another photo. But if you wait and have your photo taken at the Passport Acceptance Facility, you're going to be stuck with that photo for the next ten years, good or bad!

Tip 5: Make Your Own Photocopies

You probably already know that you need to bring photo ID with you when you visit the Passport Acceptance Agent. But did you know that you also need to submit a photocopy of your identification?

It makes sense — you can't send your actual driver's license in with your passport application. You are going to need it to drive home! Instead, the Passport Acceptance Agent will review your original ID and will seal a photocopy of it into the envelope with the rest of your passport application materials.

If you didn't bring your own photocopy of your ID, the agent will have to take extra time to photocopy it for you. You'll also likely be charged a few bucks to have photocopies made. It's faster and cheaper to make your own copies before you go to the passport office.

Your photocopy of your driver's license or other ID must show both the front and back of the ID.

Have you been to a Passport Acceptance Facility this spring? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

Source: https://passportinfo.com/speed-your-visit-to-the-passport-acceptance-agent/

Passport Acceptance Facilities: Can You Get a Passport Book at the Library?

You might think of your local public library just as a place to go to check out books, but it is so much more! Libraries aren't only for books, magazines, and DVDs these days. They offer all kinds of services. You can use the internet for free, get help with research, take your kids to storytime... and possibly even get a new passport!

More and more libraries now offer Passport Acceptance Facility services, so you can apply for your passport and pick up a travel guidebook, all in one stop.

Passport Acceptance Facilities: The Basics

 

What Do Passport Acceptance Facilities Do?

 

Passport Acceptance Facilities play an important role in the issuance of US passports. If you don't currently hold a valid passport (or one that expired recently), the US government needs to verify your identity and citizenship before they can issue you a passport. That's where the Passport Acceptance Facility comes in! All applicants for first-time adult passports or replacements for lost, stolen, or damaged passports have to appear in front of a Passport Acceptance Agent in person. The agent will check your application, your identification, and your proof of US citizenship. She'll then seal your application into an envelope that can only by opened by the Passport Agency. The agent can mail the envelope to the Passport Processing Center for you, or you can take the envelope with you to send to a passport expediting service. Need a passport for your kid? If your child is age 15 or younger, you'll need to go to the Passport Acceptance Facility whether or not your child has previously been issued a passport.

 

Who Can Be a Passport Acceptance Agent?

Under State Department rules, any government office can apply to become a Passport Acceptance Facility. The most common sites for Passport Acceptance Facilities are US Post Offices. But Post Offices aren't the only locations where you can submit a passport application! Acceptance facilities can be located in courthouses, government administrative offices, or even on the campuses of public universities. And since public libraries are run by county or city governments, they, too, can apply to become a Passport Acceptance Facility.

Make your Visit to the Passport Acceptance Agent a Success

If you are applying for your first passport, a replacement for a lost, damaged, or stolen passport, or a passport for your child,  you’ll need to visit a Passport Acceptance Agent. We’ve compiled our top tips to make your visit to the Passport Acceptance Agent a success. Read on to learn how to make your visit efficient and trouble-free!

Find a Convenient Location

• Use our Passport Acceptance Agent locator. Our interactive guide will allow you to search nearby locations based on your zip code or town name. You may find that our page automatically loads in the locations nearest your home, based on your internet service provider information!
• Consider finding a location near your office or school. Since most Passport Acceptance Agents are only open limited business hours during the workday, you may find it most convenient to find a location near your workplace or near your child’s school.
• Make an appointment... or find a walk-in facility! Most Passport Acceptance Agents require that you make an appointment in advance. This is helpful if you have time to plan ahead, as it will ensure you don’t need to stand in line to wait for assistance. But if you are in a hurry to get your passport, you may be better off finding a Passport Acceptance Agent that offers service on a walk-in basis. We find that many Acceptance Agents located in government offices like courthouses (rather than post offices) often allow applicants to walk in without an appointment.