Passport Requirements - 1910

In the Passport Bureau Office, The Boy Travellers In the Russian Empire, 1887. GGA Image ID # 17b9f8f23a

Passports are required only in Russia and Turkey. Passports are also required for entrance into the Balkan states. Visas for these countries may be obtained from their diplomatic and consular representatives in foreign countries. There are no such representatives in the United States.

Passports may be required in other countries of persons making a prolonged stay, but they are often valuable in the securing of registered mail, admissions to certain galleries, etc., which are normally closed to the public.

In the case of Russia and Turkey, the passport should have the visas of the consular authorities. The Secretary of State issues passports. An American abroad may make his application before an American diplomatic or consular officer, who will forward it to the department.

The fee for a passport is $1.00. This amount in currency or postal order should accompany each application made by a citizen of the United States. The orders should be made payable to the Disbursing Clerk of the Department of State. Drafts or checks are not accepted.

A person who is entitled to receive a passport, if in the United States at the time, must make a written application in affidavit form to the Secretary of State. The application must be made by the person to whom the passport is to be issued, and signed by him, as one person cannot apply for a passport for another.

The affidavit must be attested by an officer authorized to administer oaths, and an official seal must be affixed, or his official character must be authenticated by a certificate of the proper legal officer.

The applicant must take the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States. The oath is on the application blank. A description of the applicant must accompany the application.

Full data for these questions are provided on the blank. There are a number of different forms. There is one for a native citizen; there is one for the naturalized citizen and one for a person claiming citizenship through husband or parent's naturalization.

In asking for a blank, it should be specified which form is desired. A woman's application must state whether she is married or not, and a married woman must state whether her husband is a native or a naturalized citizen. A passport expires two years from the date of issue.

A passport may be extended for two years by a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States if presented when it is about to expire. A certificate of naturalization must accompany applications for passports from naturalized citizens.

When the applicant is accompanied by his wife, minor children, and a servant, to be entitled to receive the passport, it is sufficient to state the fact, giving the respective ages of the children and the allegiance of the servant, then one passport will suffice for all. For any other person in the party, a separate passport will be required.

Wording of United States Passport, 1910. GGA Image ID # 17b0c35b24

WORDING OF PASSPORT.
Good only for two years from date.
(Coat of Arms)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Department of State.

To all to whom these presents shall come. Greeting: I, the undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States of America, hereby request all whom it may concern to permit a Citizen of the United States safely and freely to pass and in case of need to give all lawful Aid and Protection.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Department of State, at the City of Washington, _____ day of ________________ in the year 1910, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and thirty-fourth.
(SEAL of the Department of State.)
(Signature of the Secretary of State.)
Description,
Age .... Years ................
Stature ........... Feet ............ Inches Eng.
Forehead ......................................
Eyes .............................................
Nose ............................................
Mouth ..........................................
Chin .............................................
Hair ..............................................
Complexion ..................................
Face .............................................
Signature of the Bearer ...............................................................
No .....................

Note.—The Department of State has refused to grant permission to reproduce a real Passport, hence this rather insufficient substitute.

The woman's passport may include her minor children and servant under the above-named conditions. However, it should be noted that the term "servant" does not include a governess, tutor, pupil, companion, or per-son holding like relations to the applicant for a passport. Professional or other titles will not be inserted in the passports.

This information is obtained from the circular entitled. "Rules Governing the Granting and Issuing of Passports in the United States," which will be sent with the blank on the application. It takes only a few days to obtain a passport. The intervention of those who make a business of securing passports is entirely unnecessary.

The blank is very simple and only requires the filling out of the important details, such as the description of the applicant, the taking of the oath of allegiance before a notary public or other officer who is entitled to take similar oaths, and the application must be signed by a credible witness.

Some concerns make a business of obtaining passports at a fee of from $2.00 to $5.00, but with the instructions given in this book and the rules given in the circular sent, their services are entirely unnecessary. Information was revised by officials of the Department of State on Feb. 1, 1910.