How to apply for passport in LA?

[bahamamama234 25]

Hey guys so I just got my naturalization certificate today

 

I need a passport tho and I did some research, from what I understand first timers must do in person, but where can I go? Do I have to go to agency or can I get it at post offices?

 

Which one is faster and won't lose your certificate in the process?

 

Thanks a lot!

[TNJ17 1,329]

Post office.

[Loren Y 2,755]

Post office is the most common place. Usually the passport services charge more than need be in my opinion. Look online, lots of times you can get them done at library's or other city offices like the clerk of courts, etc. If you want to speed things up anyway you plan on doing it, you can fill out the application online and print it out. This puts you into the system electronically and when you print the application it puts a special bar code on your application. When you go get the oath administered by employee at post office or wherever, they sign off on the form, and you sign it and mail it in with money order. The advantage is when it gets to the passport center they scan the barcode and all the information is already in the computer. Makes the process faster. Can cut it from 4-5 weeks down to 2-3 weeks until passport is in your hands. 

[bahamamama234 25]

On 7/25/2018 at 9:19 PM, Loren Y said:

Post office is the most common place. Usually the passport services charge more than need be in my opinion. Look online, lots of times you can get them done at library's or other city offices like the clerk of courts, etc. If you want to speed things up anyway you plan on doing it, you can fill out the application online and print it out. This puts you into the system electronically and when you print the application it puts a special bar code on your application. When you go get the oath administered by employee at post office or wherever, they sign off on the form, and you sign it and mail it in with money order. The advantage is when it gets to the passport center they scan the barcode and all the information is already in the computer. Makes the process faster. Can cut it from 4-5 weeks down to 2-3 weeks until passport is in your hands. 

Thank you very much for info..

 

I noticed as I was filling online application it asks ''have you ever had a passport card or passport book? 

meanwhile on the physical paper form it just says ''have you ever applied or been issued an U.S Passport book or passport card?

 

So I think I will put NO in the online application as I believe they only refering to american passport, correct? Cause I do have a brazilian one but dual citizenship is allowed for Brazil so I don't think it has to do with it...

 

Also when I take to post office they won't keep my original certificate will them? Thanks!!

[Loren Y 2,755]

35 minutes ago, bahamamama234 said:

Thank you very much for info..

 

I noticed as I was filling online application it asks ''have you ever had a passport card or passport book? 

meanwhile on the physical paper form it just says ''have you ever applied or been issued an U.S Passport book or passport card?

 

So I think I will put NO in the online application as I believe they only refering to american passport, correct? Cause I do have a brazilian one but dual citizenship is allowed for Brazil so I don't think it has to do with it...

 

Also when I take to post office they won't keep my original certificate will them? Thanks!!

Yes, you want to answer no that you have never had a US passport or passport book. They are only referring to the American passport. When you go to the post office they will take your original Naturalization certificate to send with the application. When USC first apply for the passport we have to send an original certified birth certificate. Do not worry, I have never heard of them losing or not returning the certificate. What will happen is after they process the application they will send your Naturalization certificate back in a separate envelope from your passport for security reasons I have been told. You will get your certificate back then your passport will show up a few days later. So, yes you will be without your certificate for a few weeks, so maybe keep a copy just in case, but You will get it back.