In recent years, there has been a significant increase in demand for passports as people continue to travel for work, leisure, and other purposes. One common question that arises when applying for a passport is whether the post office keeps the original birth certificate.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the post office does not keep the original birth certificate when you apply for a passport. This is because the birth certificate is one of the primary documents required for passport application and must be submitted along with the application form. Once the application process is complete, the birth certificate will be returned to the applicant along with the new passport.
The post office serves as a passport acceptance facility, where trained personnel review applications and supporting documents before sending them to the Department of State for processing. The post office staff verifies the applicant’s identity and checks that all necessary documents are present in the application packet.
It is important for applicants to provide original documents such as birth certificates, naturalization certificates, or previous passports when applying for a passport. Photocopies or notarized copies of documents are not acceptable and will result in delays in processing the application.
In some cases, if the birth certificate is damaged or in poor condition, the post office may retain a copy of the document and return the original to the applicant. This is done to prevent further damage to the document during the application process. However, this is a rare occurrence and only happens in extreme cases.
It is always recommended to keep a copy of all documents submitted with the passport application for your records. This way, you have a backup in case any issues arise with the original documents during the application process.
In addition to the birth certificate, applicants must also provide proof of identity, such as a driver’s license or government-issued photo ID, and proof of citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate or previous passport. These documents are crucial in establishing the applicant’s identity and eligibility for a passport.
The post office does not keep any original documents submitted with the passport application. Once the application is processed and the passport is issued, all original documents, including the birth certificate, are returned to the applicant via mail.
It is important to note that the post office is not responsible for the processing of passport applications. The Department of State handles all passport processing and issuance. The post office simply serves as a facilitator in the application process by accepting and forwarding completed applications to the Department of State.
In conclusion, the post office does not keep the original birth certificate for passport applications. Applicants can rest assured that their original documents will be returned to them once the passport application process is complete. It is essential to provide all required documents in their original form to avoid any delays or issues with the application. Applicants should keep copies of all documents for their records and ensure they meet all requirements for a successful passport application.
