Applying for a passport can be a straightforward process, especially when utilizing online form fillers to streamline your application. However, users sometimes encounter questions or technical issues when trying to print their completed passport application form. This guide addresses common queries and provides troubleshooting steps to ensure a smooth printing process, allowing you to successfully “Print Passport Application” documents.
Understanding the System Requirements for Printing Your Passport Application
To effectively use the online form filler and print your passport application, your computer system needs to meet certain minimum requirements. These specifications are in place to ensure compatibility and security throughout the application process.
Firstly, your internet browser is crucial. It must support 128-bit encryption to secure your personal information. For users of Internet Explorer on Windows, ensure you are using version 5.0 with service pack 2 or later. If you prefer Netscape, version 6.2 or higher is required. These browser versions are essential for the website’s functionalities to operate correctly, particularly the secure transmission of your data.
Beyond browser compatibility, Adobe Acrobat Reader is a necessity. You need to have version 7.0 or a more recent version installed on your computer. This software is vital because the completed passport application form is generated as a PDF document. Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to view and, importantly, print this document accurately. Without it, you won’t be able to open and print your filled application form.
Finally, when it comes to the physical printing itself, the type of printer you use matters less than its functionality. While both ink-jet and laser printers are suitable, ensure your printer is functioning correctly with sufficient ink or toner and paper. Using a reliable printer will help in producing a clear and scannable printout of your passport application form.
Why Complete the Form Online? The Importance of Barcodes
You might wonder why you can’t simply partially fill out the passport application form online and complete the rest by hand later. The reason lies in the efficiency and accuracy of modern passport processing. This website isn’t just about generating a printable form; it’s also designed to create a barcode.
This barcode, placed at the top of your printed passport application, is crucial. It automatically captures the information you’ve entered online. Passport processing centers use this barcode to quickly and accurately read and input your application data into their systems. This significantly speeds up the processing time and reduces the chance of errors that can occur with manual data entry.
For the barcode to be generated correctly and contain all your necessary information, every required field on the online form must be completed before you submit it for creation. Incomplete forms will result in a faulty or missing barcode, which can delay the processing of your passport application. Therefore, ensure you have all the necessary information at hand and complete every mandatory field before generating your form for printing.
Troubleshooting Common Printing and Display Issues
Encountering technical hiccups when trying to “print passport application” forms online is not uncommon. Here are solutions to some frequently reported issues:
“Unknown File Type” Message
If you click “Create Form,” select “Open File,” and then encounter an “unknown file type” message, this almost always indicates that Adobe Reader is not installed on your computer. To resolve this, you need to install Adobe Reader. Visit the Adobe website, download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, and follow the installation instructions. Once installed, try creating and opening the form again. This should eliminate the “unknown file type” message and allow you to view and print your passport application.
Website Displaying Blank or Incomplete
Sometimes, the website might appear blank or only partially loaded. This is often due to cached data in your browser. Your browser saves temporary files to load pages faster on subsequent visits, but this cached information can sometimes be outdated or corrupted, causing display problems.
To fix this, you need to clear your browser’s cache. The method for clearing cache varies depending on your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, etc.). Generally, you can find this option in your browser’s settings or history menu, often under “Privacy” or “Browsing data.” After clearing the cache, close and reopen your browser, then revisit the passport application form website.
For a more permanent solution, you can configure your browser’s cache settings to retrieve a new version of the page every time you visit. However, if you are uncomfortable changing these settings, a simple and often effective quick fix is to completely shut down your computer and restart it. Ensure it’s a full shutdown, not just a restart. This clears temporary system files and often resolves display issues. Additionally, always double-check that your computer meets the minimum PC requirements mentioned earlier to rule out compatibility issues.
Form Does Not Print Out Properly
If your form is not printing correctly, such as missing sections, garbled text, or layout issues, this could be related to recent security updates to your operating system or web browser. These updates can sometimes interfere with PDF printing functionalities.
Adobe provides a support document to address this specific issue. Visit the Adobe website (http://www.adobe.com) and search for Support Knowledgebase document 32833, titled “PDF pages don’t appear in web browser window.” This document offers several solutions and links to related resources that can help resolve printing problems caused by software updates. Following the recommendations in this Adobe support document is often the most effective way to fix improper printing of your passport application form.
Essential Information: Social Security Number and Parental Details
Two common points of confusion when filling out the passport application form are the requirements for providing a Social Security Number (SSN) and information about parents.
Providing your Social Security number is mandatory if you have one. This requirement is based on U.S. law (22 U.S.C. 2714a and 22 C.F.R 51.60(f)). Failing to provide your SSN can lead to delays in processing your application or even denial. Furthermore, the IRS may impose a $500 penalty for non-compliance, according to Section 6039E of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 6039E). For any questions regarding this penalty, contact your nearest IRS office.
If you don’t have an SSN and are applying for a U.S. passport, you must submit a signed statement. This statement should include the exact phrase: “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I have never been issued a Social Security number by the Social Security Administration.” This declaration, signed under penalty of perjury, clarifies your situation and allows your application to be processed.
Regarding the “Mother/Father/Parent” sections, it’s essential to fill these out regardless of whether your parents are deceased or whether you are applying as a minor or an adult. These sections are not exclusively for minors. The information is required for all applicants, so complete these sections as accurately as possible, even if your parents are no longer living.
Website Security and Data Privacy
Security concerns are paramount when submitting personal information online. Rest assured, this website prioritizes security. It uses 128-bit SSL encryption, the industry standard for secure internet communication, to protect all data transmitted to and from the web server. This encryption level ensures that your sensitive information is highly secure during transmission.
The website’s SSL certificate is issued by VeriSign, a leading authority in online security certification. You can also visually confirm the website’s security by looking for the lock icon in your browser’s address bar or at the bottom of the browser window. Additionally, a secure website address will begin with “https://” rather than “http://”. These indicators confirm that you are using a secure, encrypted connection when filling out and “print passport application” forms online.
The website also respects your data privacy. It does not save any of the information you enter on the screen. Once you generate the PDF document or close your browser, all entered data is immediately discarded. This ensures that your personal information is not stored or retained by the website, providing an added layer of privacy and security.
Resolving Form Input Issues
If you find that the form is not accepting the information you type, or if you encounter errors when deleting data from a field, here are a couple of troubleshooting steps.
First, ensure that your computer meets the minimum PC requirements to use the Form Filler. Incompatibility can sometimes lead to input issues. Revisit the system requirements section to double-check your browser and software versions.
If you receive an error message after deleting data from a field, it’s often due to residual spaces left in the field. When deleting information, simply highlighting and pressing the “Delete” button might sometimes leave a space character. To ensure a field is completely clear, highlight all characters in the field, including any potential spaces, and then press the “Delete” button. This should resolve errors related to incomplete data deletion.
Need More Help? Contacting Support and Checking Application Status
If you require assistance with the information requested on the passport application form itself, or if you are facing persistent technical issues, help is readily available.
For form-related queries, you can contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC). Call them toll-free at 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 (for TDD/TTY users). Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm Eastern Time, and Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Eastern Time, excluding Federal holidays. You can also email general passport help inquiries to [email protected].
To check the status of your passport application after submission, you have two convenient options. You can check online at the Passport Application Status website: https://passportstatus.state.gov. Alternatively, you can call the National Passport Information Center at the same phone numbers provided above (1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793). The NPIC can provide updates on your application status during their operating hours.
Alternative: Downloading and Printing a Blank Form
If you have exhausted all troubleshooting options and are still unable to generate the form online, or prefer to fill it out manually, you can download and print a blank passport application form. This option allows you to complete the form by hand and then submit it according to passport application guidelines. While the online form filler is designed for convenience and barcode efficiency, a blank form is a viable alternative when online methods are not working for you.
Entering International Zip Codes
Finally, for applicants with international addresses, note that the online form accommodates international zip codes. When entering your zip code, you can include spaces or dashes as they appear in your country’s postal code format. The form is designed to accept these variations, ensuring accurate address information for international applicants.
By addressing these common questions and providing detailed troubleshooting steps, this guide aims to make the process of “print passport application” forms online as smooth and efficient as possible. Remember to review system requirements, double-check your entries, and utilize available support resources if you encounter any difficulties.
