Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-07
GETTING A PASSPORT
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

born and where and when, Impotence
threatens to set IN. He thinks about
how everybody in the country back
home knows him and knew his Esther
and grandfather before him and that
the whole procedure is lot OF Gov
write to his Congressman But he
should remember that the Department
of State does not have all that obvious
information and that 1t must be in
position to submit legal proof to foreign
governments of his citizenship.
Even now not all States have birth
registration systems. and some Of those
in operation do not 60 back rar enough
to afford certified information concern
ing births. That fact is recognized by
the Department of State and procedure
arranged 50 that II birth certificate is
not obtainable there may be other re-
course. Baptismal certificates, If dated
very soon after birth, will serve in some
cases In others afidavits of parents,
legal guardians, physicians, nurses or
midwives present at birth Of the ap-
plicant may be obtained. If those
sources fail, II Is possible for the de-
partment to accept the afidavit Of O
reputable citizen who can prove that
he knew Of the childs birth, parentage
and such data. But he must further tell
the Department of State how he hap
pened to know the facts and satisfy it
that no fraud is involved.
Names Are Important.
The part Of the application blank
which causes some women TO be certain
OF the gossiping nature Of the Gov
eminent Is that relating to questions
Of marriage and divorce. A woman
must state whether she has been mar
ried. and II so, give the date and
| name Of the man she married. II
divorced. she must state that and give
the date Of the divorce and address
OF her former husband If possible OBJ
viously, the address has to be dispensed
with In some cases. Name and address
OF the womans father also must be
given. 1t is even asked whom she is de-
pendent upon. These facts are neces-
sary TO the Department Of State to
establish citizenship beyond any Ques-
ton OF doubt
Members Of the Lucy Stone League
who, although married, continue to
use their maiden names must follow
in parentheses and must give sup
porting evidence to the effect that the
woman continues to be known by her
maiden name In the community in
which she lives. The same procedure
applies In the matter Of mons de plume
OF writer's, stage names or business
names. For example, the famous movie
star. in applying for a passport. would
have to sign herself Mary Pickford
Mrs. Douglas Fatrbanks) unless she
were willing to do &c less famous mar
ried women do and merely subscribe
Mary Pickford Fairbanks. Provision
also Is made for individuals having
names In religion. as for example, In
the case Of Catholic nun. who would
sign her original name followed by
(Sister Nary. or whatever the religious
name might be. written in parentheses.
Professional or other titles such as
Dr.. Prof, Hon. and Judge are never
included in passports
Photographs are absolutely necessary.
Two must be provided one to be afhxed
to the application and the duplicate te
the passport itself. which the traveller
always keeps with him. Passport photo
graphs have long been matters Of Jest
and, indeed. some Of them are far from
fattering They are reminiscent Of the
ping pong photographs which were
be more than inches square or less
than az inches square. Then, too, the
passport gives complete description
with especial attention being paid 20
DISTINGUISHING marks The passport
clerk seizes instantly upon such thing
as q harelip, cast in the eye. broken
, nose. . caulifiover ear, or anything
like that.
This is just q little Of the infornna-
ton which the Department Of State re-
ouires. Applications may be made
direct to the Department of State at
| Washington. TO Department Of State
| agents in other cities, or to clerks OF
/ Federal or state courts. Passports are
! good for two years and the total cost
| is $40. Il is contrary TO law for any
1 person 10 charge any other fee for OBJ
/ tanning q passport for q client.