How to Get a U.S. Passport While Having a Criminal Record
A criminal record will not stop you from applying and receiving a U.S. passport. The process is the same as for U.S. citizens without a criminal record. However, you might run into trouble when traveling to countries that place restrictions on immigrants with a criminal record. Check the immigration laws of the country you are planning to visit before traveling. You could be fined or even arrested if you break a country's immigration laws and do not report your criminal record.
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Things You'll Need
- DS-11 form
- 2 color passport photographs
- Birth certificate
- Proof of citizenship
- Proof of identity
Instructions
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Complete a DS-11, but don't sign it. You will be instructed when to sign when you present the form in person to an acceptance facility or a passport agency. You can search for the closest passport acceptance facility on the U.S. Department of State website. (See resource below.) Provide your Social Security Number when submitting your form.
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Submit proof of U.S. citizenship with the DS-11 form. This can be a previous passport, a birth certificate, a consular report of a birth abroad certificate, a naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship.
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Provide proof of identification with the DS-11 form. This can be a previous passport, a naturalization certificate, a driver's license, a Government ID or a Military ID. Submit a photocopy of the front and back of your ID. The photocopy must be on plain white 8 1/2 by 11-inch standard paper.
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Provide two color photographs. The photographs must be identical, 2 by 2 inches in size and taken within six months. They must also show a front view and a full face against a white or off-white background. Wear normal street attire, and if you usually wear prescription glasses (not dark glasses), include those in the picture.
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Pay the passport fee. As of May 2010, the fee is $75 for an adult's (age 16 and older) passport book and $20 for a passport card.
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Check that you are legally authorized to travel. If you are still under parole or under supervision of the criminal justice system, you may not be allowed to leave the United States.
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Check the immigration laws of the country you plant to visit. Some countries restrict the entrance of people with a criminal record. You can confirm the entry requirements of a country at the U.S. Department of State website. (See reference below.) Australia, for instance, automatically denies visas to people with a substantial criminal record.
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Tips & Warnings
If you need your passport to be ready in less than four weeks, make an appointment with a regional passport agency to ensure it will be ready in time.
If you break a country's immigration law and enter without reporting a criminal record, you could be fined or even arrested. It is a criminal offense to knowingly provide false information in your passport application.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit passport image by yuriyklymenko from Fotolia.com
