U.S. Passport...Iris scan required? What procedures do you now have to go through?

Question

Has anyone recently obtained a U.S. passport? Did you have to get iris scanned or biometric scan? What procedure did you have to go through? I am wanting to obtain a passport so I can go on a cruise but I am leery about such violations of my privacy. It creeps me out- it's like a freaky movie.

Answer 1

Goodness, no! Big Brother isn't quite to that point yet.

I take it this is your first time applying for a US Passport? If so, you'll need to visit a "passport acceptance facility" (usually a post office) with two photographs of yourself (Walgreens does passport photos; I'm pretty sure that CVS does them as well), valid photo ID (such as a driver's license), and proof of US Citizenship (your birth cerficate would do).

To find a "facility" near you: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

For more information: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passpor...

Hope this helps, and don't worry - it's no big deal. Have fun on that cruise!

Answer 2

There are no iris scans or invasions of your privacy.  The only info on your passport is your name, birth date, address.  There is nothing creepy about it...all very straight forward.  You can go to the site below to read all passport application info and print out the forms.  You do not need to go on a Caribbean cruise, or any cruise that begins and ends in the u.s. after June 1, 2009, passports will be required for sea travel, but, still, for cruises beginning and ending in the U.S. , they probably will not be required.  Some cruise lines like passengers to have a passport, si it is wise to call and ask their policy.