How To Get a Passport Quickly From My Post Office Without Stress?

Question

I'm an 18yr old male, college student, residing in Los Angeles California and on July 3rd am going to be in China for about 4 weeks.

This is my 1st time travelling outside the United States and have never obtained a passport. Therefore am completely clueless on how to obtain one; especially in a shorter amount of time since the trip is a mere six (6) weeks away.

Luckly I live about 2 blocks from a post office and I know they do passports there but can someone fill me in on what I need to do to get one? Especially in this short amount of time?

What do i need, when do i need it and how soon?

Is there anyway I can speed things up by doing them online?

Website links and valuable information is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

You need your actually birth certificate (not the one from the hospital but the real one from the county with the stamp, no copies allowed), and $100. They can take your picture there, you can fill it out there and off it will go.

They can tell you if you need to spend a little extra to expedite the passport so you should bring your e-ticket from the airline with you. You might even need to make an appointment and go to the federal building to get it. Passports are taking about 3 months to process right now.

You need to go the post office as soon as you can and sorry but you can't fill out any of it on-line.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html

Answer 2

The best (and official information is from the US State Department) - link cited below.

For first time applicants, you must go in person to the post office, fill out Form DS-11

Present Proof of U.S. Citizenship - birth certificate certified copy - not photo copy - get this from your county recorder's office

Present Proof of Identity - driver's license

Provide Two Passport Photos

Pay the Applicable Fee $97 (bring your checkbook)

You need to hurry up because currently it takes 10 weeks to get a passport or 3 weeks if you expedite, expedite will cost you another $60

PLUS you need to get a tourist VISA to China after you get your passport.

Given the short lead time, you need to expedite!

Welcome to China!

Answer 3

You can bring a copy of your birth certificate to get a rush passport in office close to the VA office there by the 405 freeway. I forgot the street name but it's that popular street in LA. You can see that VA building when you take 405. You can ask one of the security guards there and he/she can direct you to the office to get a passport.