The document used for international travel. The purpose of the passport is to establish identity, citizenship, and nationality in order to prevent stateless persons. A passport is one of the most powerful identity documents in existence. There are over 100 countries in the world which issue passports to their citizens.
Every country's government has the right to issue its citizens with a passport. The majority of passports are "book-style" documents, but there are also "card-style" travel documents, which are more easily carried around.
The passport is an important form of identification since it provides the holder's name, place and date of birth, a photograph of the person, and a description of their physical features. This is useful for police enforcement, but also for soldiers to verify the identity of a person trying to enter a conflict zone. In addition to this, passports can be used as a form of identification in order to show that you are entitled to social benefits from the state or from private organisations.
Identity and citizenship status
The document that is used to establish identity, citizenship and nationality is called a passport. Passports are valid for a different period of time depending on the country. In some countries passports are valid for six months, in others it can be two years or more. A passport is valid for five years at the very least, but can be extended after five years if necessary.
No other document can demonstrate citizenship as well as a passport.
Who needs a passport?
Ireland does not require citizens to have passports in order to travel. People who are citizens of other EU countries can travel with their national identity cards, which serve the same purpose, however the passports serve an important purpose in that they are issued by the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs.
A passport is required for people travelling on a plane or boat - in order to enter another country without being asked for their passport. Therefore, having a valid passport is mandatory for any person travelling outside of country.
What are the main differences between an IDP and a passport?
The main difference between an IDP (International Driving Permit) and a passport is that an IDP does not prove citizenship or nationality, whereas a passport does. This is because there are many countries that do not know their own citizens, let alone people from other countries. This is why there are two different documents for this.
A passport is an IDP with added extras. The IDP has very little information about the holder, whereas a passport contains more information about you including your photo, place of birth, height and eye colour. The passport also includes other bits of information relating to the holder such as the name of their father or mother, their nationality and sometimes even any criminal convictions that they have received. This means that a passport is just an enhanced form of an IDP.
How long does it take to get a passport?
It takes between 13 and 17 weeks to get a passport. This process includes the application, interview and fingerprinting.
The application process
Firstly, the passport application has to be completed. This is an application form that has various sections. Firstly you have to indicate where you would like to apply for your passport. Then next are the details of your birth certificate - this will have your name on it, so if you are calling in you will have to bring with you the original document. Next are the details of how old you are, with one year increments up until 18 years, when there is no more data provided with applications. Then the applicant has to enclose photographs for each of their parents. You will have to pay a fee when you start this process, but this is refunded after the application has been received.
The interview
After the passport application has been received, an interview is held at the Passport Office in Dublin Castle. The reason for this interview is that it is necessary in order to verify that an applicant has their civil status correctly recorded at their birth, when they are born - in order to include them on the electoral register. Also it is necessary in order to check the accuracy of information in the passport application. The interview usually lasts approximately 45 minutes.
The fingerprinting
A fingerprint card is collected by the applicant at this interview. This process involves collecting ten fingerprints with ink or pencil, then taken off with a stamp on the form. The fingerprints are collected on two sheets of A4 paper - one sheet per hand - with each hand numbered, telling you which hand has been scanned first. The applicant will also have to pay a fee for this process.
Why are fingerprints necessary?
Fingerprints are the only way to verify that someone is who they say they are. This is because of the similarities in fingerprints, so if one person has different fingerprints, it means that the person is not who they claim to be. They give a person's identity back to them, so if you had a problem with your identity, using your fingerprints would solve that problem. Another reason for fingerprints is because it makes it very difficult to apply for someone else's passport. This would be impossible if fingerprints were not taken, so this process makes it impossible to steal someone else's identity.
What does the passport cost?
Fees vary greatly depending on where you are applying for your passport. Generally, the person's nationality dictates the amount that needs to be paid. The average cost of a passport can vary anywhere between $75 and $150 - depending on the country. Other factors that determine the cost include if a child or an adult is applying, if a person has another passport, and what kind of service they would like the passport to have.
If a child is applying for a passport, it is cheaper than an adult passport because minors do not usually have as many services as adults. Most countries have made it so that an adult passport costs more than a child passport, so if you are eligible for an adult passport, it is better to apply for one.
The service that you would like your passport to have is also a factor when considering the cost. Most countries offer the same services, such as urgent processing, which will issue your passport early. But some countries may offer additional services such as delivering it to you.
Conclusion:
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