I would do the preliminary research, a task I always enjoy undertaking, and one my partner is happy to relinquish to me.
First Things First
But first, I needed to renew my passport. Which required I find a copy of my birth certificate. And while I was at it, I may as well update my drivers license to get a REAL ID, something that has recently become mandatory for ID purposes as well as for domestic travel. All easier said than done.
Passport Renewal
The last passport of mine that I was able to find expired in 2006. That’s nearly 20 years since I last traveled outside the country. That didn’t seem right to me, but who was I to argue with myself. I would later find my more recently expired passport from 2016, which would have saved me a lot of trouble had I unearthed it sooner. But, let that be a lesson to myself to keep better files.
US Passport renewal takes on several options. Those who renew their passport before their existing passport expires. These can be mailed in.
Those whose previous passport expired within the last 15 years, which could also be mailed in.
And those whose previous passport expired more than 15 years ago, which is the equivalent of applying for a new passport.
This last option requires a separate form, two forms of ID, and of course, a passport size photo, as well as a personal appointment in a facility able to process passport applications (library, post office, passport agency). A bit inconvenient to put together weeks before a major trip, but, I was determined to get this done.
Steps to Renew or Apply for a US Passport
To apply for a US passport, you need to follow these steps:
Choose your application type:
• Form DS-11 for first-time applicants, minors under 16, or if your previous passport was lost/stolen.
• Form DS-82 for passport renewals (if your previous passport is undamaged and was issued when you were 16 or older).
Gather required documents:
• Proof of US citizenship (certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous US passport).
• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, military ID, etc.)
• One passport photo (2×2 inches, taken within the last 6 months).
• Payment for fees.
Submit your application:
For Form DS-11, you must apply in person at an acceptance facility like post offices, libraries, or passport agencies. For Form DS-82 renewals, you can mail your application.
Pay the fees:
• Passport book: $130 (plus $35 execution fee for first-time applicants).
• Passport card: $30 (plus $35 execution fee).
• Expedited service: additional $60.
Processing time:
Standard processing takes 6-8 weeks, while expedited service takes 2-3 weeks.
You can find acceptance facilities, download forms, and get detailed instructions at travel.state.gov. If you need your passport urgently (within 14 days), you may be able to make an appointment at a regional passport agency.
*If your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago, it does not qualify for the simple DS-82 renewal process. You can only renew an expired passport by mail if it was issued within the last 15 years
If your passport is more than 15 years old, you’ll need to:
1. Apply in person using Form DS-11 (the same process as first-time applicants).
2. Provide additional documentation including:
• Proof of US citizenship (like a certified birth certificate).
• Government-issued photo ID.
• Your expired passport (which serves as supporting documentation but not primary ID).
• New passport photo.
• Payment for both the passport fee and execution fee.
In this case, your old passport can be submitted as supporting documentation, but you’ll need a current government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license) as your primary identification document.
The 15-year rule exists because older passports may not meet current security standards and the State Department wants to verify your identity more thoroughly after such a long period.
Birth Certificate
But first, I needed a Certified Birth Certificate. Not sure where I may have safely filed my birth certificate (another note to self to keep better records) or if the birth certificate I remember having was even certified. So, I did the research to get a copy, also revealing several options to do so.
You can get a certified birth certificate from the vital records office in the state where you were born. Here’s how:
State vital records office:
Each state has a vital records department that issues certified copies. You can apply online, by mail, or in person depending on the state’s options.
Local registrar:
Some counties or cities where you were born may also issue certified copies, often faster than the state office.
What you’ll need:
• Completed application form.
• Valid photo ID.
• Proof of your relationship to the person on the certificate (usually just your ID if it’s your own).
• Payment (typically $10-25 per copy)
Processing time:
• In person: Usually same day or within a few days.
• By mail: 2-4 weeks typically.
• Online: 1-2 weeks plus shipping.
Important notes:
• You need a “certified” copy with an official seal – photocopies or hospital-issued certificates won’t work for passport applications.
• If you were born abroad to US citizen parents, you’d need a Consular Report of Birth Abroad instead.
The fastest way to find your state’s vital records office is to search online for “[your birth state] vital records” or visit the CDC’s website, which has links to all state vital records offices. If you’re unsure which county you were born in, the state office can usually help locate your record.
Before consulting with AI over how to obtain my birth certificate, I found a company called VitalCheck that processed orders for them. They charged $79 to do so, but they then said it could take 6 months to process. That time frame would not work, but I sent my money in regardless, hoping for the best.
Then I learned that I could just call the Village of Freeport, NY, where I was born and request my birth certificate through them.
For $10, the Village Clerk in Freeport, NY sent my birth certificate and I received it within 2 weeks time, as indicated. I was delighted this worked out so well. I quickly emailed VitalCheck for a refund. But, alas, after assuring me they would process my refund immediately, they never did. Disappointed doesn’t begin to describe my feelings for VitalCheck. Don’t make the same mistake I did.
With Birth Certificate (and expired passport) in hand, I completed my Passport application, had a passport photo taken at Walgreens and went to my local post office to process. One major benefit of living in a relatively rural area is that no appointments were necessary for me to be able to walk-in my local post office and process my passport application. I opted for expedited processing (2-3 weeks instead of 6-8 weeks) to be assured my passport would arrive in time for our trip. And, here again, everything worked like clockwork. My passport arrived for me to be able to breathe a sigh of relief. And it’s good for ten years. Mission accomplished. Thank-you Universe.
Real ID
Obtaining a REAL ID in New York State meant waiting on line for several hours at my local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to present them with the appropriate documents, renew my drivers license, have a new photo taken, pay a fee and wait for several weeks for me to receive my new drivers license in the mail. The first one they sent to me never arrived. So, I placed a call for them to resend. That one came within two weeks time. Feeling good I got this done. I don’t have to renew for another 10 years. And, there is some relief knowing that I won’t be stopped or questioned on domestic flights to Florida or elsewhere.
Newsclip about REAL ID’s in NYS
TSA Pre-check
Armed with my new passport, REAL ID and Birth Certificate, I had one more task to fill.
Having traveled extensively for professional purposes, my partner strongly recommended I get TSA Pre-check.
This ensures easier, quicker check-ins at the airport, which eliminates the stress of waiting in long lines and worrying that you will miss your flight because of that. The process to get TSA pre-check was easy enough. An appointment with a TSA enrollment location, where they check your documents (passport, drivers license, birth certificate… ), take a photo and fingerprints, along with a payment of $79.95. Your information is submitted online on their end, and if accepted, you will receive a KTN (Known Traveler Number) within a few days.
Your KTN is then used as your ‘ticket’ to add onto airline reservations for easy entry on the TSA check-in line, which is separate from the regular check-in lines. I have used this for several flights now and it makes a huge difference in expediting the process of getting through airport security.
I was now ready to discuss our options, start researching the hotels, must-see tourist attractions, side trips, weather and events in Amsterdam. So excited by what I might uncover through my research.
