Is there such thing as a different type of passport for military?

Question

We're getting station to japan in november....we already have a regular passport, but I heard from some people that transfered overseas that they had to get another type of passport inside the base????? I think one girl called it SOFA is this true?? if so where can I go to get this??

Answer 1

You should get a Official passport. It is red / brownish unlike your blue passport. On the inside it will say "The bearer of this passport is abroad on an official assignment for the United States Government". It can be used only for official travel so if you plan on traveling on your own you need to have the blue passport.

Not that you care, but there is a third type of passport, black in colour and is a diplomat passport.

Your husband should get in contact with his unit admin and they should point him in the right dirrection.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/nof...

The above link has more info. Military applicants should contact their installation travel office. Also I think they may have gone to the no-fee passport vs. the official or your husband will get the official and spouce will get the no fee.

Answer 2

You actually don't have to have a brown official passport.  You will however need the military no-fee passport that has your SOFA stamp in the back.   I got mine March 2008.  It looks just like my tourist passport except it has the stamp in the back.  You will have to take a copy of his orders and the command sponsorship paperwork to a passport agency.  Most military bases have people who can process your passport for you.  You can also take it to the Post Office, but it will take longer.  I would suggest going ASAP because it took my friend 2 months to get hers.  I did get mine in 2 weeks though.  When you are overseas, you will need to have both a tourist passport (to travel outside of the country you are living in), and the no-fee passport.  The no-fee passport is the one you will use when you go through customs to get to the country your will be stationed in.  Good Luck!

The active duty military member will only need a his/her military id and copy of orders to get into the country.  It is strongly suggested, however, for the active duty person to get a tourist passport also.

Answer 3

There are numerous types of passports personal, and business etc.. If you go overseas (OCONUS) with the military you only need your MIL. ID card and your orders if you are in the military. If you are a civilian but married to military (dependent) then you will need a passport. If you go wth your husband then they can receive a SOFA stamp on your passport. Usually this is good until his Date of Expected Return from overseas(DEROS).   SOFA stands for Status of Forces of Agreement. This agreement allows anyone with a connection to the armed forces in Germany, Korea, Italy or wherever the US has a foreign Army installation, to remain in that country for a certain period of time.