It is known that every individual must hold a passport when exiting or returning US. The Department of State issues different types of passports according to the applicants’ status and purpose of travel. What if you are a military personnel or military dependent? Do you need a passport? What type of passport should you apply? How to apply for it? In this passage, we are going to find out the answer to these questions.
Do Military Personnel Need a Passport to Travel Abroad?
The answer is YES. Military personnel can apply for a military passport and a standard passport. The former can only be used when the holders are deploying under orders or performing official business. This rule also applies to the accompanying families.
However, when the members of the Armed Forces are taking a leisure trip for personal reasons, they should use a standard passport (known as a tourist passport). We don’t suggest using a military passport for a private trip. Even if you pass the checkpoint by a fluke, you might get into trouble during your trip.
Military Passports vs. Standard Passports
Military passports fall in the category of US no-fee passports which are also called special issuance passports. They are specially issued to US government employees and their dependents for official trips with a maximum validity of five years. There is an endorsement on it indicating that the carrier is conducting official or diplomatic assignments for the U.S. government.
Standard passports, also called regular passports, are paid ones issued to all citizens for the purpose of tour, study, business, etc. They usually have 10-year validity for adults and 5-year validity for children. Military personnel should also use it when taking a non-official trip. Tourist passports, as a standard passport, are the most common type of paid passports. Tourist passports are the most common type of paid passports. A passport book costs $130 and $30 for a passport card.
The special issuance passports carry the same information as standard passports, such as name, date of birth, nationality, photos, biometrics, and so forth, ensuring the passport bearer passes without delay or hindrance and enjoys all lawful aid and protection.
Types of Passport
They include diplomatic passports, official passports, service passports and no-fee regular passports.
- Diplomatic passports
Featured with a black cover, it is issued to foreign service officers or those with equivalent status for a diplomatic visit to another country.
- Official passports
Featured with a maroon cover, it is issued to U.S. government officers and employees for an official trip. It also applies to military personnel according to the requirements of the destination country.
- Service passports
Featured with a gray cover, it is issued to third-party contractors who are traveling abroad to support the U.S. government. It means they are not taking a personal trip, so a regular passport is not acceptable.
- No-fee regular passports
Featured with a blue cover, it is issued to certain people who are excluded from the individuals above and taking on a trip under official orders, such as employees of the Department of Defense, American National Red Cross, and Peace Corps volunteers assigned overseas.
Please note that no-fee passport holders also need to apply for an official or diplomatic visa to enter visa-required countries and many countries have stricter visa requirements than that for standard passports. Make sure you can present the official deploying order from your bureau.
Last but not least, holding a special issuance passport does not mean you are exempt from foreign laws, security checks, arrest under legal process, the hazards of war, criminal violence, terrorism, etc.
How to Apply for US Military Passport
Applicants must apply to the Special Passport Issuance Agency (SIA) for a special issuance passport.
To apply for a military passport, you should fill out the same application form and prepare supporting documents as standard passports, including Form DS-11, both original copy and photocopy of proof of US citizenship, photo ID, and passport photo. Additionally, you have to submit proof that indicates you are taking the official trip under military order. For detailed information, please contact the military installation travel office, or visit the websites Air Force Passport Matters or United States Army Service Center for the Armed Forces with a government computer.
When applying for military passports for children as dependents must also satisfy the same requirements as regular child’s passports. It is illegal for one parent to take a child out of the US without the other parent’s consent, which aims to prevent international parental child abduction. Both parents must be present at SIA with the child. If not, present supporting documents, such as Form DS-3053.
It is estimated that applications for this year will be much more than usual and applicants might wait for a longer time. Therefore, it is suggested to get the passport as early as possible. Although it’s free of charge to apply for a military passport, you can still pay extra fees for expedited service. The processing time ranges from 3 weeks to 6 weeks.
US Military Passport on File or Returning
A special issuance passport should be placed on file at SIA. Next time the passport owner needs it, just retrieve it from the SIA, which saves time and money to file a new application. However, if it is destroyed by SIA due to limited remaining validity, like 6 months, you need to submit Form DS-11 to apply for a new passport when it expires.
Military passport holders only have rights to use it, but not own it. The special issuance passport can only be held when the holder retains the official position or status. Once the bearer’s identity is removed or the government determines to retrieve the passport, it must be returned to the SIA directly or through their bureau’s executive office.
Summary
Now, let’s make a summary. A military passport is a no-fee special issuance passport for military personnel and military dependents. It can only be used for an official outbound trip, not a personal one. Compared with a standard passport, it is free of charge and has shorter validity. The application documents are generally the same as those for regular passports, but you should apply to the Special Issuance Agency. Upon the termination of your military status, please return it to the US government.