Getting a Passport
Rahul plans a trip abroad with friends and applies for his first passport at the regional passport office.
Key words and phrases
Useful sentences
- Ask Have you booked your appointment at the passport office?
- Answer Yes, it's scheduled for next Tuesday.
- Ask What documents do I need to bring?
- Answer You'll need identity proof and address proof.
- Ask How long does the police verification take?
- Answer It usually takes about two weeks.
- Ask When will my passport be ready?
- Answer The total processing time is around three weeks.
- Ask Is my passport valid for international travel now?
- Answer Yes, it's valid for the next ten years.
- Ask Can I submit my electricity bill as address proof?
- Answer Yes, that's accepted as valid address proof.
- Ask How will I know my passport is dispatched?
- Answer You'll get an SMS with the courier tracking number.
- Ask Do minors need a guardian's signature on the form?
- Answer Yes, a parent or guardian must sign for a minor.
- Ask Should the photocopies be self-attested?
- Answer Yes, sign each copy to confirm it's genuine.
- Ask What should I do with the acknowledgement receipt?
- Answer Keep it safe; you may need it to track your application.
Dialogue
RahulI'd like to apply for a passport for the first time.
Passport officerSure. Do you have your application form and identity proof?
RahulYes, here they are, along with my passport photo.
Passport officerEverything looks good. You'll need a police verification next.
RahulHow long will the whole process take?
Passport officerAround three weeks. You'll get updates on your phone.
RahulThank you. Will I get an acknowledgement receipt today?
Passport officerYes, here it is. Keep it safe until your passport arrives.
RahulOnce the police verification is done, will it be dispatched automatically?
Passport officerYes, it will be dispatched by courier as soon as it's cleared.
Common mistakes
- Saying "I did passport" instead of "I applied for a passport" or "I got my passport made."
- Saying "My passport is valid up to ten years" instead of "My passport is valid for ten years."
- Saying "I am tourist" instead of "I am a tourist" (don't drop the article "a").
- Saying "minor's passport" without the apostrophe as "minors passport," confusing whose passport it is.
- Saying "self-attest the photocopy" instead of "get the photocopy self-attested" or "self-attest the copy."
- Saying "passport is dispatch" instead of "the passport has been dispatched" or "the passport will be dispatched."
Quick quiz
1. What do you call a background check done by the police?
2. Complete: "His passport is ___ for ten years."
3. What word describes a person traveling for leisure?
4. What document confirms where you live?
5. Who must sign the application form for a minor's passport?
6. Complete: "The office will ___ your passport by courier."
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