DS-11: The Passport Application
Form DS-11 must be filled in with black ink on odd-numbered questions, blue ink on even numbered questions, and submitted in sets of three before processing.
Just kidding - that’s a joke on us Americans. It used to be the U.S. Government seemed to thrive on wastefulness. One way of accomplishing this was to make the citizens of “this great nation” submit all government forms, regardless of their purpose, in duplicate, triplicate, even quadruplicate on ocassion. All the while, giving us convoluted directions on how to fill out a form leaving most of us with the feeling we’d need a PhD just to get through it all. I’m sure it’s still this way in some areas, but as for passports, the process has been greatly simplified. If you have your passport already, you’re cooking with propane, it’s all gravy, you’re groovy, etc. If, however, you do not have your passort, go grab a quick snack and let’s talk for a minute.
If you’re still reading this it means you need to make application for your passport, and most likely, you will need to do so in person with DS-11 Passport Application Form in hand. If you…
1. have never been issued a passport, or
2. You are under the age of 16, or
3. You were under 16 when your previous passport was issued, or
4. Your most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago,or
5. Your most recent passport issued was lost or stolen, or
6. Your name has changed since your last passport and you are unable to document your name change
…I’m talking to you. Yes, you need the government form DS-11 and yes, you need to find a passport processing facility near you. But don’t worry. As I said before, the process has become less cumbersome over the years and for me, with expedited service, I had a passport in my hot little hands within 10 days of my appliation being received by the government. Trust me, if I can do it … (the rest goes without saying).
First things first. If you’re perusing blogs on the web then you have at least a modicum of internet savvy. Use that to navigate to the Department of State’s passport application page and click the button mid-page that says “submit DS-11 online”. The application will pop up in another window and after agreeing to the Department of State’s terms of use, you’re ready to roll. The form is pretty self-explanatory and relatively easy to fill out. Just take care to answer all the questions. Once you’re done, the application -complete with all your entries- will be presented to you to print. I suggest printing two copies. Take one with you to the processing facility and place the other in your Japan Trip File. Do NOT sign your form until you are at the processing facility, in the presence of authorized personnel.
And there you have it. You’ve made it over the first passport hurdle unscaithed. The next will be to get your passport photos done. Lastly, gather all your supporting documentation, find a passport facility and make an appointment. Simplicity at its best. Onward, people, …onward.
P.S. -for those who might not feel comfortable filling in the DS-11 form online (let’s face it, safety of information over the net IS an issue), there’s probably less than a 1 in a million chance of your information being “captured” or “stolen”. However, if the concern persists, you can print out the form from the same webpage and fill it in by hand. Whatever floats your boat and makes you happy. -peace/shiira
