Passport question

[Strangerdanger7]

Just a question: Has anybody in the US ever obtained a passport, and if so, how difficult is that process? I'm looking to obtain one. Is it worth it to hire a passport agency, and do you know of any good ones?

 

[Grav]

I had one years ago but I don't travel much so never renewed it. It's not a hard process and I believe all the steps are on the gov site. There shouldn't be a need to get a passport agency unless you have something weird with your status. My wife and daughter both got theirs about 8 years ago and it was smooth outside of scheduling a picture for it.

 

[Forveleth]

There are a few steps involved but it is really easy. Unless you think you may have legal issues, you can do it yourself.

Just read everything very carefully. Read all instructions before doing each step.

Also DO NOT SMILE in your picture. They will not accept it.

 

[yotaka]

Just concurring with what's already been said: It's a fairly easy, straightforward process (as far as any bureaucratic process can be easy and straightforward). I don't think there's any need to work through an agency.

 

[Throwawaysoul]

You fill out the forms, you print the forms, you go to your local post office, with money and the IDs they ask for, usually your birth certificate and Social Security, they take your picture. They shipped the picture and your IDs off And then in a couple weeks you get your passport and you iDs return to you. Why do you need to hire anyone?

 

[Strangerdanger7]

The password agency scanned your documents for any errors you have on the application reducing any confusion on the paperwork.
They also say they expedited your passport so you get it faster.
That was the reason I was considering
an agency to assist with the paperwork.
I've never filled one out so I would have to look at the passport application to find out what kind of process is involved.
Throwawaysoul:
You fill out the forms, you print the forms, you go to your local post office with money and the IDs they ask for- usually your birth certificate and Social Security. They take your picture. They ship the picture and your IDs off, and then in a couple of weeks you get your passport, and your IDs return to you. Why do you need to hire anyone?

That sounds easy, but you have to jump through more hoops to get a real ID.
To get some of the documents I needed in California for the real ID, the process server screwed up the paperwork, and I'm out of state, so I had to go through the process three times to obtain those documents.
Thank you for all your assistance with this passport application advice.

 

[Pluto]