Man, I’ve been meaning to share this for a while, and today’s the day. I tried to get a U.S. Virgin Islands passport online, and let me tell you, it was a journey.
First, I went straight to the source, or what I thought was the source. I found this website that looked official. It had all sorts of passport forms you could download. I’m no expert, but it felt legit at first glance.
Gathering My Stuff
I started digging into what I needed. You know, the usual stuff:
- Proof I’m actually me
- Proof I’m a U.S. citizen (or national, whatever that means)
- A photo of my ugly mug that fit their rules
- The actual application form, filled out perfectly
I found out that there are different types of passports. The Passport Book is the one you need for international travel, by air, sea, or land. It is also valid for all domestic travel. This costs you around $135 if you are 16 years or older, and $105 if you are a minor. But, if you are an adult renewing a passport, it is only $110.
Then there is the Passport Card, which is way cheaper, but you can only use it for domestic travel. You can also use it when entering the US from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. That is, if you are a US citizen.
They say if you’re a US Lawful Permanent Resident, you can also use a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license to travel to these places.
Filling Out the Forms
This part was a headache. So many boxes to check, and I swear they want your life story on those pages. But I powered through, double-checked everything. The website says I can have my documents sealed at local passport acceptance agents. It can also help me with a child passport application and passport renewals.
The Waiting Game
I finally submitted everything. They say it usually takes 4-6 weeks for a routine application. But I’m an impatient guy, so I coughed up the extra 60 bucks to expedite it. They say that should only take 2-3 weeks. But I guess I will have to wait and see.
So, yeah, that’s my story so far. I’m still waiting to see if this whole thing actually works. Getting a passport online seemed easier in my head, to be honest. But I guess anything involving official documents is bound to be a pain. I’ll keep you guys updated on whether I ever get that passport or if I just threw my money away!
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