Quick passport question...documentation - Page 2

Shoonra · #11 10-23-2007, 01:15 PM

The robots at the Post Office are a mere convenience for passport applicants. The postal clerks merely make sure you provide photos and the requisite proof of citizenship and that you are identified by some convincing form of ID (often a DL) and then that you sign the application. They let you keep your ID and the rest goes on the the regional Passport Office of the US Dept of State where real passport examiners take a look at the documentation. You should get the documents back with your passport.

The postal clerks are not prepared for the exceptional cases (or for cases that urgently need a passport right away). This is probably why they sent you away. Take all the documentation, the photos, the ID, etc, directly to the regional passport office where the "expert" will either accept what you submit or else give you clear instructions on what more you need to submit.

Shoonra · #12 10-23-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macerico

True, but a terrorist would just get forged documents and claim to be a U.S. citizen and draw as little attention to himself as possible. ;)

Quite true, although the terrorist would have to be inside the US first to do that. And undoubtedly it has happened. That's one reason the Passport Office people accept only the genuine state-issued birth certificates now, and no longer accept hospital or baptismal certificates. And also the reason why most states now issue their birth certificates on banknote-type safety paper that resist alterations.

macerico · #13 10-23-2007, 01:35 PM

So, if I get a certified copy of my birth certificate, does that bugger up the whole concept or does it go no further than to prove that I was born in Florida as I claim on my passport application?

From what I understood, it seemed likely that they would use it to assert that I was a statutory "U.S. citizen."

David, I'm curious about your experience as well. Looks like you needed a passport but ran into problems. What did you ultimately do?

The closest regional office is in the Den of Commies (D.C.) about 7 hours away. Should I try talking with someone there via e-mail at this point?

David Merrill · #14 10-23-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macerico

So what are my options if I want to leave the physical united States and need something more than a photo ID to get back in?

I just got done with the robots at the post office. Where I was told the other day that I didn't need to have a birth certificate and they'd submit what I had, now they just refused.

If I produced a copy of my birth certificate, would that just automatically be used to say I'm a "U.S. citizen" anyhow?

By wanting a US Passport you are saying that you are a US citizen. Nobody else is saying it - you are.

Regards,

David Merrill.

palani · #15 10-23-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

passport c.1500, from M.Fr. passeport "authorization to pass through a port" to enter or leave a country (15c.), from passe, imper. of O.Fr. passer "to pass" + port "port."

Whose authorization do you need to pass through a port? Why do you need the authorization of a 3rd party to travel?

Quote:

visa 1831, "official signature or endorsement on a passport," from Fr. visa, from Mod.L. charta visa "verified paper," lit. "paper that has been seen," from fem. pp. of L. videre "to see" (see vision). Earlier visé (1810), from Fr. pp. of viser "to examine, view."

Whose country is your nation at war with?

Quote:

LICENSE, International law. An authority given by one of two belligerent parties, to the citizens or subjects of the other, to carry on a specified trade.

2. The effects of the license are to suspend or relax the rules of war to the extent of the authority given. It is the assumption of a state of peace to the extent of the license. In the country which grants them, licenses to carry on a pacific commerce are stricti juris, as being exceptions to the general rule; though they are not to be construed with pedantic accuracy, nor will every small deviation be held to vitiate the fair effect of them.

macerico · #16 10-23-2007, 04:08 PM

So, what do any of you do when travelling across borders if you don't have a passport?

Right now, you can't go by air (not an issue to me, I hate flying). They're denying access by water and they want to require it for crossing by land.

macerico · #17 10-24-2007, 04:26 AM

Nobody here travels abroad? (scratches head)

David, I can understand the idea of applying for a passport and asserting that you have a right to one because you are a "U.S. citizen," but the law says that you DO NOT have to be a U.S. citizen to receive one.

As there are three definitions of "United States" that they try to play "turn of phrase" with, is not one of the more legitimate definitions of "United States" charged with the duty to secure the national border and ensure people do not pass without being documented? As much as I see a passport as pointless for visiting Canada or Mexico, we'd still require one when entering a foreign nation that wants you to have one to visit them, right?

Shoonra · #18 10-24-2007, 05:40 AM

Well, I travel internationally and I have a regular US passport. But then again, I am proud to be a US citizen so I don't try to claim some peculiar status.

It used to be that you didn't need a passport to go to Mexico, Canada, and some Caribbean countries. Not so anymore. They all seem to want passports. And the airlines also insist on seeing passports before letting you on international flights. And even if you entered another country without a passport, lots of difficulty getting back into the US without one.

palani · #19 10-24-2007, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoonra

....And even if you entered another country without a passport, lots of difficulty getting back into the US without one.

Is this statement based on personal knowledge and facts that you have observed directly or is this a fantasy?

Have you any evidence to back this statement up?

Do you talk to toys or pets?

You do know that U.S. citizens will be required in 2008 to have a passport to enter the U.S. in its' generalized territory. You have admitted that you are proud to be a U.S. citizen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoonra

I am proud to be a US citizen so I don't try to claim some peculiar status.

Therefore, it would seem you will need a passport to get back into the U.S. in 2008. Just because you need one exactly why would you presume everyone needs one and without one there would be difficulty?

David Merrill · #20 10-24-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macerico

Nobody here travels abroad? (scratches head)

David, I can understand the idea of applying for a passport and asserting that you have a right to one because you are a "U.S. citizen," but the law says that you DO NOT have to be a U.S. citizen to receive one.

As there are three definitions of "United States" that they try to play "turn of phrase" with, is not one of the more legitimate definitions of "United States" charged with the duty to secure the national border and ensure people do not pass without being documented? As much as I see a passport as pointless for visiting Canada or Mexico, we'd still require one when entering a foreign nation that wants you to have one to visit them, right?

Then I stand corrected.

But please link that for us to read. I may be wrong; but I am under the impression that for the few exceptions Shoonra has listed here, US Passports are for US citizens pursuant to the Fourteenth Amendment.

Regards,

David Merrill.