3/23/2008

9 Responses to “More About Passports”

1. Yes, the bold type stuff are my comments.

   And I think I object to being called an expert on the State Department. State’s much too big for any one person to be an “expert” on it. Which is one reason I have to laugh whenever someone is called an “expert” on something like State or DoD.

   Consul-At-Arms (24ca24) — 3/23/2008 @ 2:48 pm

   
   

2. You’re the closest we’ve got, CAA, but would you prefer semi-expert?

   DRJ (a431ca) — 3/23/2008 @ 2:54 pm

   
   

3. I’m curious to know just what sort of information is in the passport file. Is it essentially only the information on the application, or other stuff along with that?

   kishnevi (3cf898) — 3/23/2008 @ 5:20 pm

   
   

4. Kishnevi,

   I’m surprised but pleased to say the State Department has answered that at its website:

   Generally, after the State Department issues a passport, all personal documents are returned to the applicant – the only document kept in the Department’s passport file is the passport application package. Passport files do not contain travel information, such as visa and entry stamps, from previous passports. Almost all passport files contain only a passport application form as submitted by the applicant.

   The application form asks for the biographic information needed to determine if the applicant qualifies for a U.S. Passport, including:

   — the applicant’s name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, social security number, marital status and mailing address and previous passport number if applicable.
   — the applicant’s physical descriptors like height, hair color and eye color.
   — the names and place of birth of the applicant’s parents.

   The application form also asks for optional information that helps us to deliver applications on time, and to contact a citizen in case of an emergency:

   — the occupation and employer of the applicant and contact information for the applicant as well as his or her emergency contact. (these have proved invaluable in contacting next of kin when a US citizen dies or needs assistance abroad).
   — Travel plans as completed by an applicant on the form would be in the record. (This is valuable in getting the passport to the applicant on time.)

   In complex circumstances, for instance if there are grounds to suspect possible fraud or if a person born overseas claims citizenship by virtue of having an American citizen parent, we may need additional evidence to review the applications, and we keep this information in the passport file with the applications.

   There’s lots more interesting stuff at the link.

   DRJ (a431ca) — 3/23/2008 @ 6:24 pm

   
   

5. It primarily asks for supporting evidence of citizenship. And I suspect that that’s what Obama’s operative was after in looking at McCain’s passport application. Obama has gotten where he is by disqualifying his opponents.

   nk (34c5da) — 3/23/2008 @ 7:50 pm

   
   

6. I thought of that, too, NK. Does that make us cynical?

   DRJ (a431ca) — 3/23/2008 @ 7:55 pm

   
   

7. Yes. But are we cynical enough?

   nk (34c5da) — 3/23/2008 @ 8:15 pm

   
   

8. nk – When it comes to daleymachine politics, one can never be too cynical.

   BTW – Did Sec. Rice apologize to Sens. McCain and Clinton yet, or has Baracky managed to secure yet another apology, and in doing so, got to dispense his brand of forgiveness as well?

   JD (6f5e4a) — 3/23/2008 @ 8:18 pm

   
   

9. Thanks for the linkage.

   I’ve linked back to you here.http://consul-at-arms.blogspot.com/2008/03/re-more-about-passports.html

   Consul-At-Arms (24ca24) — 3/23/2008 @ 11:29 pm