There are many new features incorporated in various systems and files to protect one against fraud and identity theft as well as increase their security. One of these forms is a passport which is a legal document for declaration and evidence of a person’s nationality and identity. Hence is the case with the United States passport which in the form of a booklet is issued by the United States department. The US passport allows its holders to travel to various countries in the world visa free or requiring visa. The United States also issues Passport Cards through which Americans can travel to near by countries such as Canada by land or sea but not by air.
The United States passport is issued only to the citizens and non citizen American nationals of the United States. Like Great Britain, United States allows its passport holders to have and use passports of another foreign country. Hence dual nationality holding is allowed.
There are basically three kinds of United States passports. The first kind is the regular passport which is issued to all citizens and non-citizen nationals. It has a blue cover and for holders over 16 years of age is valid for 10 years. For holders under 16, it is valid for 5 years from date of issue. The second kind is Official passport with a maroon cover. This passport is issued to United States citizens who are employees and their eligible dependents that have been posted overseas either temporarily or indefinitely. The validity of the Official passport is 5 years from date of issue. The third kind is the diplomatic passport which has a black cover. This kind of passport is issuable to United States diplomats and their eligible dependents that are resided abroad or go abroad regularly for American diplomatic work. Its validity is also 5 years from date of issue. There is another kind of passport called the Emergency passport. It is issued to American citizens abroad in case of an emergency. The basic format of all these kinds of passports is the same. The passports have the United States Seal emblazoned in gold followed by United States of American written on the cover.
There are 32 pages in a normal biometric United States passport but frequent travelers can opt for the 52 page passport with an additional fee. There are two main kinds of pages in this passport; the data page and the signature page. The data page consist of the holders photograph, type, name of issuing country, passport no., surname, given names, nationality, date of birth, sex, place of birth, date of issue, issuing authority, date of expiry, authority and endorsements. At the end of the page is the machine readable code. On the other hand the signature page contains the signature of the passport holder. The signature validates the passport.
US passport can be acquired in person or by mail. A person applying for it in person will have to pay an execution fee and an application fee. The amount depends on whether the person is applying for passport booklet or passport card and his age. When a person applies through mail, he only has to pay application fee. Unlike passports of various other countries, visa pages can be added to the United States Passport. Stolen or lost passports have to be reported to the U.S Department of state either by mail or post or to the U.S embassy if in a foreign country.
The documents needed to apply for a US passport include a 2×2 photograph against white background, notarized copy of birth certificate, a passport request form and personal identification.
Lately the US government has started issuing biometric or electronic passports for enhanced border security.
