My son got refused for applying U.S. Passport from USPS. HELP!

[Hypnos 6,579]

A US passport is proof of US citizenship.

If an immigration officer told you that that was not the case then they were mistaken.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

I'm not going to bash post office people here. Some are more knowledgeable while others are less. I don't think its fair, or appropriate to write stuff that most posters have. If they are not aware of the immigration related laws it is not their fault. It is pretty said that the US post office people are not trained to know basic immigration stuff when they have the authority to accept passport applications. It is not the individual person's fault at the post office. Up until now, I had no clue how this procedure is done. And when I was 16 I worked at the post office. I was trained to stamp envelopes, to know the different packages that people can send, as well as deliver mails. No one ever told me a single word about immigration issues. It was just part of the fact that "oh yeah, and we accept passport applications". I did not even know what the hell is a green card, or what s a J1 visa, or an F1 visa, or a B2 visa. I was just a young kid who was desperate to get a job somewhere and I got that one. I feel (personally) that people tend to judge pretty fast on this board....anyway, like others said, go back and show your certificate of US citizenship and your son's green card. If it makes you feel warm and fuzzy, print out the law that states the fact. Good luck!

[NickD 203]

I'm not going to bash post office people here. Some are more knowledgeable while others are less. I don't think its fair, or appropriate to write stuff that most posters have. If they are not aware of the immigration related laws it is not their fault. It is pretty said that the US post office people are not trained to know basic immigration stuff when they have the authority to accept passport applications. It is not the individual person's fault at the post office. Up until now, I had no clue how this procedure is done. And when I was 16 I worked at the post office. I was trained to stamp envelopes, to know the different packages that people can send, as well as deliver mails. No one ever told me a single word about immigration issues. It was just part of the fact that "oh yeah, and we accept passport applications". I did not even know what the hell is a green card, or what s a J1 visa, or an F1 visa, or a B2 visa. I was just a young kid who was desperate to get a job somewhere and I got that one. I feel (personally) that people tend to judge pretty fast on this board....anyway, like others said, go back and show your certificate of US citizenship and your son's green card. If it makes you feel warm and fuzzy, print out the law that states the fact. Good luck!

DOS sure doesn't trust their own 9,000 some odd agents, if they did, would let them look at your naturalization paper, copy it, and send that in. So if the DOS doesn't even trust their own agents, why should we?

Another question regarding that $25.00 fee they charge, do they give that to the post office or keep it? If being employed by the post office and getting paid while doing this applications, should turn that money over to the post office, a conflict of interest.

In the same manner, why doesn't the USCIS trust their own IO's, require a supervisor to check over their work, and how can that supervisor be trusted? Have to give them credit for one thing, never have been asked for an expedient fee under the table. But sure ran into that with government officials in foreign countries.

Recall seeing an old TV commercial where 10% of the people you meet have mental problems, couldn't believe that. With a lot more experience on this issue, would say its more like 50%. Can blame putting lead in gas and paint for a lot of that.

[bigdog 377]

Go to a courthouse

:thumbs:or a regional passport center.

[Darnell 8,479]

I'm not going to bash post office people here. Some are more knowledgeable while others are less. I don't think its fair, or appropriate to write stuff that most posters have. If they are not aware of the immigration related laws it is not their fault. It is pretty said that the US post office people are not trained to know basic immigration stuff when they have the authority to accept passport applications. It is not the individual person's fault at the post office. Up until now, I had no clue how this procedure is done. And when I was 16 I worked at the post office. I was trained to stamp envelopes, to know the different packages that people can send, as well as deliver mails. No one ever told me a single word about immigration issues. It was just part of the fact that "oh yeah, and we accept passport applications". I did not even know what the hell is a green card, or what s a J1 visa, or an F1 visa, or a B2 visa. I was just a young kid who was desperate to get a job somewhere and I got that one. I feel (personally) that people tend to judge pretty fast on this board....anyway, like others said, go back and show your certificate of US citizenship and your son's green card. If it makes you feel warm and fuzzy, print out the law that states the fact. Good luck!

The OP brought the law, and the postal worker refused to acknowledge it.

I can understand your point of view about working in the postal unit - I'd never discount it, since it's your personal experience.

The one or two postal workers in each postal unit who have tasked to handle passport applications have gone to some training - they NOT have full training to handle cases such as the OP presented. But that's only part of the problem.

The second part of the problem is that MOST of the postal workers who are in the passport section have a very apathetic approach to customer service, when a human is across the counter.

And that's just how it is.

For the OP - is best to get into another type of office - I suggest an actual passport office - see http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_913.html for the list. Sure, it might mean a drive, but the folk across the counter will know exactly how and why you qualify.

Good Luck !

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

When 1 person says it can't be done means they don't want to do it

try a different office

or get his passport photo done and mail in the application per the instructions

you will have to send certified copies of all documentation

good luck

[Darnell 8,479]

isn't 'mail in' not an option, as it's the first usa passport?

[DaveE 178]

Your post office person just made a mistake.

First - they only submit the forms for you, they don't decide whether a passport is issued or not.

My daughter is 16, and I just completed her adoption last September, (she was a K2 from the Philippines).

I took the finalized adoption decree, my passport, her greencard, and her filipino birth certificate to the local post office and applied for her a passport.

They accepted it with no problem.

About two weeks later we got a letter from the Passport Service requesting an official NSO copy of her foreign birth certificate.

Two weeks after that, her US passport arrived in the mail. She has no certificate and doesn't plan on getting one.

Heck USCIS says that your passport is your best proof of US citizenship here: USCIS

[danver 15]

PS- I believe my parents applied for my Passport at the passport office not through the USPS. That might work in case you need a passport urgently. However, I do advice getting the US Citizen certificate, the immigration official who gave me my US Citizen Certificate told me that my passport did not officially prove I was an US Citizen.

Sorry, one more post. Yes, the cost of the certificate is too much!!! I actually applied for a fee waiver and got it for free!! You should look into it. I just graduated and so I think that helped but if your income is less than the required you will probably qualify.

Hey there, how did u apply for a fee waiver? I am applying to apply US passports for my 2 kids and renew my other son's US passport too.

Would appreciate any help.

[F&N 7]

Hey there, how did u apply for a fee waiver? I am applying to apply US passports for my 2 kids and renew my other son's US passport too.

Would appreciate any help.

It is really easy! It saved me I think about $600! Here is the link http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=6fbad59ae8a8e010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

And I believe this is the form you add with whatever application you are filing: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-912instr.pdf (it lists what applications they will consider a fee waiver for).

The proof I added was my financial aid/loan letters and taxes I filed in the last few years. You can add any kind of proof that you qualify for the fee waiver! Good luck!

It is really easy! It saved me I think about $600! Here is the link http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=6fbad59ae8a8e010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

And I believe this is the form you add with whatever application you are filing: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-912instr.pdf (it lists what applications they will consider a fee waiver for).

The proof I added was my financial aid/loan letters and taxes I filed in the last few years. You can add any kind of proof that you qualify for the fee waiver! Good luck!

I also wrote a short letter explaining my situation etc....

[danver 15]

It is really easy! It saved me I think about $600! Here is the link http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=6fbad59ae8a8e010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

And I believe this is the form you add with whatever application you are filing: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-912instr.pdf (it lists what applications they will consider a fee waiver for).

The proof I added was my financial aid/loan letters and taxes I filed in the last few years. You can add any kind of proof that you qualify for the fee waiver! Good luck!

I also wrote a short letter explaining my situation etc....

Thank you so much,,i just read the website and i do think i will qualify. I have 3 minor kids and an unemployed husband with just me working. All of them are living with me which makes it 5 in the household.

[F&N 7]

Thank you so much,,i just read the website and i do think i will qualify. I have 3 minor kids and an unemployed husband with just me working. All of them are living with me which makes it 5 in the household.

I am glad I could help Danver! Just send you a private message there replying. Good luck!

[TBoneTX 47,539]

isn't 'mail in' not an option, as it's the first usa passport?

Si, man (sigh, man). Mrs. T-B. had to appear in person, and she & I both had to appear to apply for mini-USC Mini-Bone's. Rather a rip-off to have to pay $50 to the Post Office as a service charge for something about which we had no choice, si man.

[danver 15]

Hey there,, i just called and asked more info about the fee waiver but the lady said i am not qualified coz it is only for the people whos husband is in the military or a US government employee.

Are u in the military or a government employee? im not really sure if the lady understand all this coz she even researched it online and read it to me.

I am just an ordinary US citizen and would like to get my 3 kids and myself a passport for i need a proof of ctizenship for my kids to get medicaid or peach care.

thank u really so much for ur help.

[danver 15]

Hey there,, i just called and asked more info about the fee waiver but the lady said i am not qualified coz it is only for the people whos husband is in the military or a US government employee.

Are u in the military or a government employee? im not really sure if the lady understand all this coz she even researched it online and read it to me.

I am just an ordinary US citizen and would like to get my 3 kids and myself a passport for i need a proof of ctizenship for my kids to get medicaid or peach care.

thank u really so much for ur help.

Edited April 1, 2013 by danver