Passport FAQ

  1. What is a passport
  2. How do I obtain a visa?
  3. Do I need to send my actual passport?
  4. How/where can I obtain a certified copy of my U.S. birth certificate?
  5. For how long is my U.S. passport valid?
  6. How long must my passport be valid for my travel abroad?
  7. Do children under the age of 16 require passports?
  8. How long will it take to process my passport?

1. What is a passport
A passport is a travel document that serves as the ultimate form of proof for a person's citizenship. Passports are issued by the appropriate authoritative power of a country's government. U.S. passports are issued by the U.S. Passport Agency.

2. How do I obtain a visa?
In the U.S., U.S. passports are issued by the U.S. Passport Agency which has various locations. Outside the U.S., passports are issued by U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Visa4you.net provides passport services for U.S. passports by submitting proper documentation on the travelers' behalf to the U.S. Passport Agency. This eliminates the need for travelers to visit, communicate and correspond directly with the U.S. Passport Agency

3. Do I need to send my actual passport?
Yes, for the majority of countries, a visa is stamped on a visa page inside your passport.

4. How/where can I obtain a certified copy of my U.S. birth certificate?
You may order a copy of your US Birth Certificate at Express Vital Records.

5. For how long is my U.S. passport valid?
If your passport was issued when you were 16 years of age or older, your passport is valid for 10 years. If your passport was issued when you were younger than 16 years of age, your passport is valid for 5 years.

6. How long must my passport be valid for my travel abroad?
Most countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of your trip. If your passport expires before the required validity, you must apply for a passport renewal.

7. Do children under the age of 16 require passports?
Yes. Each individual U.S. citizen must possess his or her own passport. Family members are not allowed to represent other members of the family inside their passport. Infants must possess their own passport.

8. How long will it take to process my passport?
Please view the appropriate passport service under the United States Passport Service section to determine processing time.