PASSPORT PROCEDURE

You must appear in person if:

• You are applying for your first U.S. passport or
• You are under age 16 or
• Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16 or
• Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged or
• Your previous U.S. was issued more than 15 years ago or
• Your name has changed since your U.S. passport was issued and you are unable to legally document your name change

An applicant must appear before a local, designated passport acceptor (usually postmaster or clerk of court) for the signing and witnessing of a passport application.  If you fill out the passport application prior to going to the court house or post office, DO NOT SIGN IT - it must be signed in person!

To apply in person for a passport you must:

1.     Submit Application for Passport, Form DS-11 (www.state.gov) 

You can pick up your Passport Application at a local post office.  You can also fill out your passport application online and print it.  Currently, processing time is 3-5 weeks to get your passport, so it is extremely important that you begin the application process as soon as possible.

2.     Submit Proof of U.S. Citizenship

All documentation submitted as evidence of U.S. Citizenship will be returned with the issued passport.

You may prove U.S. Citizenship with any one of the following:

•·         Previous U.S. Passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable.)

•·         Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state

NOTE: A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth.  Please note that some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes.

3.     Present Identification

•         When applying for a U.S. passport in person, acceptable identification must be presented at the time of application.

 Previously issued, undamaged U.S. passport
 Naturalization Certificate
 Valid Driver's License
 Current Government ID (city, state or federal)
 Current Military ID (military and dependents)

4.     Pay the Applicable Fee

You pay the passport application fee and the security surcharge to the ''U.S. Department of State'' and the execution fee to the facility where you are applying.

For Passport Application Fee:

•·         Personal checks, money orders, and bank drafts at all locations

•·         Exact cash at some locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility)

For Execution Fee:

•·         Money orders and bank drafts at all locations

•·         Personal checks and exact cash at some locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility)

•·         Credit cards at U.S. Postal Facilities (verify with the Acceptance Facility)

Processing Fees (Age 16 and older):

The passport application fee is $75. The execution fee is $25. The total is $100.

Under Age 16: The passport application fee is $60. The execution fee is $25. The total is $85.

For All Minors Under Age 14:

•·         Each minor child shall appear in person.

•·         All applications for children under 14 require both parents' consent.
( Check the website for special requirements )

For All Minors Ages 14 to 17:

  ·         Each minor child shall appear in person.

•·         For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.

•·         If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child and present identification.

•·         Follow instructions below.

   5.       Provide Two Passport Photos

•·         2x2 inches in size

For more information on passport procedures, visit the website at http://www.state.gov/

ONGOING LOCAL MISSIONS

As a portion of Jesus' call to our "Jerusalem and Judea" 

Firehouse Shelter

www.oldfirehouseshelter.net

The mission of Firehouse Shelter is to provide homeless men in the Birmingham area a nurturing and caring environment while empowering each individual to reach his full potential. This is done by providing meals, a place to sleep, and counseling.

Oak Mountain Missions

www.oakmountainmissions.org 

Oak Mt. Missions is an organization serving needy people in the Shelby County and greater Birmingham area. This mission provides food, clothing, household items, and financial support to those in need.

Urban Ministries

www.urban-ministries.com

Urban Ministries is a ministry of compassion and wholeness.  Urban Ministry's mission is to serve persons in Birmingham, Alabama with programs of Compassion and Wholeness. We recognize that people who are suffering need both. Our Compassion ministries are designed to put an immediate end to their suffering,  while our Wholeness ministries seek to offer life sustaining educational opportunities.

United Methodist Children's Homes/Babies First

www.umch.net

Our Mission is to follow the example of Christ by embracing all God's children ... one child, one family at a time. The Children's Home makes a real difference in the lives of children. It has helped to transform the lives of thousands of hurting children since 1890. Many of our alumni are now successful adults who are giving back to the communities which gave to them.

UMCOR

www.northalabamaumc.org

The United Methodist Committee on Relief, often referred to as UMCOR, is a prominent world-wide emergency relief organization. A nonprofit agency of the United Methodist Church, UMCOR reaches worldwide to provide relief in five core areas: Hunger, Health, Refugees, Emergencies, and Relief Supplies.  Ongoing relief efforts include Hurricane Disaster Relief and aid to those affected by recent flooding.

How can I get Involved?

Pray:  For God to transform lives and that all who are involved will experience His Presence.

Pray:  For those being served as well as for those who will be serving.

Go:  Find a mission opportunity you feel God is calling you to participate in and respond.

Give:  Support the mission initiatives by giving over and above your tithe.  Money given will be used to fund local outreach and international church planting as well as provide scholarships for those who feel called to go.