The passport of the USA is an official document certifying that its holder is an American citizen. The front side of the blue cover depicts the State Emblem. The front page of the American passport is represented by several lines from the national anthem.
The US authorities have allowed the issuance of biometric passports since 2007. Holders of the document are endowed with all the rights that US citizens have – state protection abroad, access to the social security system, the possibility of employment in a public position, participation in the political life of the country, etc.
How to get a US passport
In the American state, there is no universal identity document. Individual forms for the identification of citizens can be provided in each region. To travel around the states, it is enough to have a driver's license or a social security card.
But the American authorities still provided a standard sample of identity card for "internal displacement" and cases when a US resident needs to cross the border of the countries that are part of the Western Hemisphere Tourism Initiative (Canada, Bermuda, Mexico). Visually, the document is made in the form of a plastic card with laser engraving. A “biometric” book-format passport allows an American to travel outside the state without any bureaucratic formalities.
Who can apply for US citizenship:
- children who were born in the territory of the American state, or have a parent who is a resident of America ("by birth");
- applicants who have lived in the country as a permanent resident for at least 5 years (Green Card holders);
- spouse of a resident of the American state (accelerated format of naturalization, citizenship can be claimed provided that the relocant has been married for at least 3 years – the rule also applies to same-sex families);
- soldiers serving in the US Armed Forces (in this case the passport is issued in a shorter time).
US Citizenship Law
The legal act, which was adopted in 1952, regulates the procedure for obtaining American citizenship (Chapter 3). In 2021, the law was amended to simplify the legalization process for certain categories of applicants.
For example, the English language proficiency test was canceled for candidates of the age categories "50+" and "55+" (subject to the residence requirement of 20 and 15 years, respectively). As part of the changes, quotas for the issuance of "Green Cards" were increased. In addition, the period of naturalization for persons married to a US resident was reduced.
Documents for the passport
The passport of a US citizen is issued subject to the provision of the following package of documents:
- application of the established form;
- «Green card»;
- photo (51 x 51 mm);
- receipt of state duty payment.
An exhaustive list of documents is contained on the Internet portal of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Since the United States, like the Russian Federation, has ratified the Hague Convention of 1961, the documents and certificates submitted must be apostilled.
After providing the necessary documents, the relocator submits biometric data and is interviewed in the English language. After completing the interview, organized by representatives of the US Migration Service, the applicant passes the naturalization test.
After passing the interview and passing the exam, officials notify the candidate of the decision, which can be either positive or negative. In the first case, the relocant receives an official invitation to the naturalization ceremony, where he/she takes the oath of allegiance to the United States. At the next stage, the applicant is issued a certificate of citizenship, which is subsequently exchanged for the internal passport of the country – "State ID" (plastic card).
How much does a US passport cost?
As a state duty, the applicant will have to pay $30 (if a plastic State ID card is requested) and $130 (if a paper ID card is required). In both cases, an additional $35 (registration fee) is charged.
It should be borne in mind that obtaining American citizenship is a rather expensive procedure. Already at the stage of submission of documents, a registration fee is provided – for filing an application through naturalization (form N-400) – $640. The fingerprinting procedure is also not free – $85. If it becomes necessary to use the services of intermediary companies, then it is necessary to additionally budget from $500 to $3,000.
In the United States, it is not possible to acquire citizenship in exchange for investing in the national economy. But for investors, the country's authorities have provided a separate format for an EB-5 visa, which automatically gives the right to receive a Green Card.