A passport is a necessary document to obtain prior to traveling outside the country. You must apply for a passport, be approved and pay the applicable fees before one is issued to you. A passport is denied for a variety of reasons, including if there is a warrant out for your arrest. Unfortunately, you will not be informed of the reason for your denial. If your application for a passport is denied you cannot appeal this decision. Instead, you must reapply. If you think there may have been an error in processing your original application, take care to check over everything in your application when you reapply.

Complete and print the DS-11 Form: Application for a Passport. Look over all of your information carefully to ensure your application is free from error. Do not leave any spaces blank. Put "N/A" in any spaces that do not apply to you. An error in your application can be the reason for your denial.

Gather your personal identification information that proves your citizenship. Items that you may use are your original birth certificate (not a copy), a previously issued, expired passport, consular report of birth abroad, or naturalization certificate. In addition, you must provide a government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license. If you are using a previously issued passport you may not need your ID.

Get new passport photos. The photo you used with your first application may not have been appropriate and is a common reason for passport denial. Your photo must be recent (within six months of the date you apply). It also must be in color and measure 2 inches by 2 inches. It must show your whole face. Do not wear a hat. Go to a location that takes official passport photos such as your local post office to ensure your photo will be acceptable.

Pay the applicable fee. Unfortunately, you will have to pay to resubmit your passport application. At the time of publication, it costs $110 for the application fee and an additional $25 for an execution fee. You can pay this with a check or money order made out to the US Department of State. Your initial application may have been denied if your check bounced for insufficient funds, was for the incorrect amount, or was made out to the wrong entity, so check everything is correct.

Turn in your application, photos and identification to a passport office or an acceptance agent office. You must submit your information in person NOT by mail. If your application is accepted this time, you will be able to pick up you passport in 10 weeks.

About the Author

Latoya McGill began her writing career in 2008 as a marketing assistant preparing press releases. She became a contributing writer for "Nommo Newsmagazine." She then continued her writing career as a publicist for "Madam C.J. Walker's Road to Success" and Web site content contributor for TheCashFlow.com. She received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Photo Credits

  • Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
SHARE