Passport before I day?

flying8764

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Oct 24, 2015
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Plan A we are still waiting decision from the SAs, he's qualified in all areas and he has his needed nominations. Plan B, he also secured a 4yr NROTC scholarship.

I am moving June 1st, I day is end of June at the USNA. Should he get a passport before he leaves for summer tours etc and should he wait until after my move with the new address?

Is the passport mailed to you or do you have to pick it up in person?
 
In my personal opinion I would get one. Its always good to have on hand as extra form of identification and in case any travel comes up. If you need a passport for the military they will issue you a government one. But Mids do like to sometimes travel during leave periods too. I think its easier to have it in case opportunities pop up then to be scrambling at the last minute and have minimal wheels. They will mail it to you. You should have it prior to June 1st if you knock it out this month.
 
He's not required to have a passport. If/when he travel on military assignment, he will use a navy passport.

If you want to apply before, I suggest you do it immediately since you need to send his birth certificate, which will be returned with the passport. Both documents will have to be given to the academy and they will keep them as long as he's there.

I know some parents are taken back by this, but you won't get the birth certificate back while he's there. If you think you need a certificate, you can request another one.

I should add that depending where you are from, the drivers license may or may not be recognized as a valid ID for federal purposes and that makes the passport really useful.
 
He's not required to have a passport. If/when he travel on military assignment, he will use a navy passport.

If you want to apply before, I suggest you do it immediately since you need to send his birth certificate, which will be returned with the passport. Both documents will have to be given to the academy and they will keep them as long as he's there.

I know some parents are taken back by this, but you won't get the birth certificate back while he's there. If you think you need a certificate, you can request another one.

I should add that depending where you are from, the drivers license may or may not be recognized as a valid ID for federal purposes and that makes the passport really useful.
Did not know that about the BC, thanks for the heads up!
 
You can actually get them same day if you drive to a passport office.

Depends on where you are. In my state, you need to show some life and death reason to expedite or they won't do it. That's the norm for bigger states, but the regular processing time is about a month. Express service is 2 weeks.
 
I would do it now. You should have it back by March at the very latest. He is over 16 and it will be valid for 10 years.

Here is my reason why. Although the military will give him a military passport, it is not to be used for personal use. ORDERS only.
~ Bullet (ret. USAF/GS15) holds 2 passports.
~ 1 personal, 1 military.
~~~ IOWS, if you decide to take a trip on a cruise where a passport or BC works, and the SA gave him a passport, than he should not take it! That is not military travel. He would either need his personal passport or his BC
 
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You can only do same day if you can demonstrate the need, have an airline ticket in the next 2 weeks. I did it in NYC and had a passport in hand in 2 hours.
If you go to a post office that processes applications you will not have to send the birth certificate. You bring it along with a photo copy and they will let you leave with the original. In fact have a photo copy of all your documents. Some post offices will provide picture taking services, others no. Best to have the pictures, they want two but you should get four. Keep the extras with your originals.
If you are concerned about delivery get expedited service, for a fee. But this time of year you should get it back in 3-4 weeks. Depending on your state, the state issued ID maybe non-compliment with US federal standards. In which case a passport is your best alternative.
 
Last year, mids were required to get a passport, I assume that will continue in the future.

For what it's worth, both times I have traveled overseas for summer training, we did it on the blue (non official) passport.
 
I traveled a ton of times on orders with my blue passport. Some times we were told to (long stories) and others it was just easier and didn't matter.
 
What if I am moving in June and his DL is the old address/current, and we get the passport now with the old. DL will be changed before he leaves but passport will not. Do the addresses need to match from his DL to the passport?
 
What if I am moving in June and his DL is the old address/current, and we get the passport now with the old. DL will be changed before he leaves but passport will not. Do the addresses need to match from his DL to the passport?

The passport does not contain your address. As long as you receive it before you move, that's all that matters.
 
If not age 18 you may want to wait. A passport issued at 18 is valid longer. Check the details before you apply.
 
Age 16 and older are considered adult passports and are good for 10 years. Get them soonest, because it takes 6-8 weeks to process, unless expedited and they hold on to your original Birth Certificate until it is processed. It never hurts to get an additional raised sealed copy of your birth certificate just in case. Don't wait for an appointment or scholarship to apply for one. You do not need specific travel plans or a reason to obtain a passport.
 
Concur on ordering extra birth certificates. I seem to have needed those a few times along the way for different things. Its easier to get a few extras now then later.
 
If he doesn't have one, he will apply for one before the end of plebe year (not optional). USNA covers the application fee in that case, so that's nice.

He will need his birth certificate for a variety of things, and should definitely bring it with him for I-Day. Detailers will keep it safe over the summer, no worries.
 
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Dark Blue Passport is the official one. Best to get one as soon as possible. Some military travel will be on another color. Young DD returned from semester abroad with different color and was asked jokingly by custom official "Who do you work for?". It was dark Maroon.
 
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