Passport Application Form Rules

There are two ways to complete a U.S. passport application form. One, you can fill in the form you need online or you can print the correct form and complete it by hand. If you print a passport form, it should be done on 8 inch by 11 inch white paper with matte surface. Print only one-sided, full pages. After printing, you should complete the form in black ink. Your printer may resize the application form before printing so verify that the passport photograph area is 2x2 inches in size. If it is not, you may want to verify the setting on your printer before printing another copy. Whether completing the printed form or the online application, you should seek to provide all information requested. Failure to do so could result in significant processing delays and/or the denial of your application. This includes providing your social security number. Note, Form DS-11 which used when applying for a new passport should not be signed until an authorized agent asks you to do so. If you sign the application beforehand, you will be required to complete a new one. All statements made should be true independent of which form you are completing. The warning on the application form states: WARNING: False statements made knowingly and willfully in passport applications, including affidavits or other documents submitted to support this application, are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under U.S. law including the provisions of 18 USC 1001, 18 USC 1542, and/or 18 USC 1621. Prior to accessing the online passport application and entering your personal data, you must review the Department of State?s Privacy and Computer Fraud and Abuse Acts Notices and Disclaimers. After doing so, you can check the box and click the submit button. You will be taken to a page where you will choose the form you need. Select the appropriate application and follow the online instructions to complete the form. It is not uncommon for applicants to encounter problems when trying to complete the online form. If this happens to you, download the passport application and complete it by hand. You will find more detailed instructions on our website and on each form.

Source: http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/passport-blog.html#Passport-Application-Form-Rules

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