What is a Passport? How to Get a Passport? What are the Documents Required for Passport?

The first step you need to take to start exploring the world is issuing a passport. So, how to apply for a passport?

What is a Passport?

Passport is an official identity document with international validity issued by the authorized institution to those who want to travel abroad. In the passport, which includes the identity information and biometric photo and replaces the identity card, the records of the visas you have received and the countries you have visited are kept. According to Article 5682 of the Passport Law No. 12, there are four types of passports issued to Turkish citizens. These can be listed as follows:

• Ordinary passport (Bordeaux passport)
• Special stamped passport (Green passport)
• Service stamped passport (Gray passport)
• Diplomatic Passport (Black passport)
• Temporary Passport (Pink passport)

Ordinary passport is issued to every citizen who applies. For other passports, applicants are expected to meet certain conditions. You can continue reading for the answer to the question of how to get a burgundy passport.

How to Get a Passport?

In order to obtain a passport, you must first make an online passport appointment by filling out the form on the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs website asking for your TR ID number, name, surname, date of birth and telephone number. Before going to the passport appointment on the day and time you have chosen, you must collect the necessary documents, pay the passport fee and the book fee. The fee varies according to the validity period of the passport. You can pay all the necessary amounts for your passport payments through İşbank. Now let's take a look at the documents required for a passport.

What are the Documents Required for Passport?

Before going to the relevant population directorate for passport application, you should prepare the required documents completely. The documents required for an ordinary, i.e. burgundy passport, are as follows:

• Identity card, TR identity card or temporary identity document,
• Biometric photograph taken within the last 6 months,
• A receipt showing that the passport fee and the book fee have been paid,
• A letter of consent if the legal representatives of the restricted or minor persons are not present at the application centre,
• Old passport, if any
• Student certificate for students who apply for a fee-free passport.

Things to Consider When Applying for a Passport

If you pay attention to the following items while applying for a passport, the process will proceed smoothly.

• Make sure all your documents are included in your application file.
• Make sure that the information on your identity card is complete and up-to-date. If you need to renew your identity for any reason, you can do this before the passport application process or you can continue with your temporary identity document so that the process does not take any longer.
• Make sure that the photo on your ID is not too old.
• Before applying, be sure to pay the tuition fee and the book fee. Although it is not necessary to present the receipts and receipts that certify that you have made the relevant payments, it is useful to have them with you.
• If you are planning to travel abroad in the near future, you need to know how many days the passport will be issued. Your passport will be delivered to the address you have given to the population directorate within 5 to 7 days after your application is completed. However, it would be better to wait for your passport to arrive before you buy a flight ticket for your travel plan.