Passport Case Color

Posted July 17, 2007 By admin

Passport Case Color

Passport Application Mistakes

Filling out a passport application is not as easy as it might seem. Each year, many US citizens find themselves racing to get their passports issued at the last minute after making a mistake while filling out their passport application forms. In many cases, these mistakes might seem trivial to you – but the Department of State doesn't think so, and it's their opinion that counts.

Before you fill out your passport application, take a look at these common mistakes and make sure that you don't make them:

Sending the wrong birth certificate: In order for the Department of State to accept your birth certificate as proof of citizenship, it must be a certified, official copy issued by the state with a raised, embossed or multicolored seal. Birth certificates issued by the hospital where you were born are not acceptable.
Not signing your passport renewal application. The State Department won't process it without your signature.
Using the wrong color ink. The Department of State will only process your passport application if it's filled out in black ink.
Not sending in the required documents for a name change. If you need to get your name changed when you renew your passport, you must send in your marriage certificate, divorce decree or another legal document referencing your name change request.
Trying to renew a damaged passport: if your passport has been damaged beyond just normal wear and tear, you must apply in person with proof of identity and proof of citizenship, and fill out a copy of Form DS-64, a statement describing what happened to your passport.
Sending in a botched passport photo. Your passport photo must meet the Department of State's requirements, so it's best to have it professionally done.
Your check or money order was filled out incorrectly. This is usually a problem with passport renewals, since you send your renewal application in by mail and nobody looks at the check until it's in the passport office. To reduce the chances of error, call the National Passport Center at 1-877-487-2778 and confirm the amount you need to send. Also, be sure to make the check or money order out to the "US Department of State" and to include your name and birth date on the memo line.
Signing form DS-11 too early, before you get to the passport office and the agent tells you to do so. This mistake won't delay your passport from being issued, but it means you'll have to fill the passport application form out all over again.