my friend is asking me if i can find out if a ex felon in the usa!!can get a passport or how long he will have to wait to get one when he is released. hes tried to find out but they wont tell heim.
thanks andy from the uk

Yes, a felon in the US can obtain a passport.

thankyou very much for your reply.
andy vondean

They can get one, but not all countries will allow a convicted felon to come into their country, Japan being one. If a felon does enter, and the host country doesn't allow convicted felons and finds out about it, they will expel them (just ask Katy Perry's husband).

I agree with Jeeprollover that it would be wise to check with the Embassy in question if they need to apply for a visa first. My guess is that most will need a visa and not all will be given one.

Prison Litigator - do you also happen to know the quickest way for ex-felons to obtain any form of ID once they are released? Because my understanding is that they won't have any ID when they are released, which in itself is a 'crime'. Like Andy, my pal has trouble finding out basic things like this as well.

Originally Posted by Penpal

Prison Litigator - do you also happen to know the quickest way for ex-felons to obtain any form of ID once they are released? Because my understanding is that they won't have any ID when they are released, which in itself is a 'crime'. Like Andy, my pal has trouble finding out basic things like this as well.

My PP is going through this right now. They are giving her a state ID card so she has ID when she is released. It is similiar to how the driver's license looks, but you can't drive with it. I just printed out and mailed the drivers manual that you have to study in order to take the written test (because she was already licensed, she doesn't have to take the driving test again). We are planning on having her take her drivers test within a few days after she is released so she doesn't need to have the state ID card anymore.

Most states will issue you an ID card. You have to provide the same information as you would for driver's license - birth certificate, proof of residence, etc. For Michigan, you would check with your Secretary of State (SOS) office; other states have similiar offices. For Oregon, you go to Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (other states may have DMV's instead of the SOS). Check with whatever agency that the state has. A ex-felon should be able to get a state ID card right away; drivers license is another story. It may take some time, especially if the crime was auto related.

Originally Posted by Penpal

I agree with Jeeprollover that it would be wise to check with the Embassy in question if they need to apply for a visa first. My guess is that most will need a visa and not all will be given one.

Prison Litigator - do you also happen to know the quickest way for ex-felons to obtain any form of ID once they are released? Because my understanding is that they won't have any ID when they are released, which in itself is a 'crime'. Like Andy, my pal has trouble finding out basic things like this as well.

TDCJ inmates can also use their prison photo ID when they leave so that they can get their driving licence etc.

I don't know about all states but, most states will not allow a felon on parole to obtain a passport. Of course, parole is becoming a rare thing these days with the new sentencing guidelines. I have been invited to a wedding in New York at the end of July, so I'll be applying for my passport next week
Although a lot of countries do not allow felons to enter, countries that you can drive into from the USA usually don't expel anyone unless they have reason. Speaking of which, while on escape, I got picked up in California for a altercation with somebody. I was expecting to get a lengthy sentence out there and was surprised when the judge stated California has enough problems without importing them from North Carolina. He said he would send me home if I promised never to come back. Naturally I agreed. The same thing happened in Florida. I guess North Carolina has a bad reputation with the justice systems in other states. They must be surprised that we ain't all like Goober.

Originally Posted by max,madmax

I don't know about all states but, most states will not allow a felon on parole to obtain a passport. Of course, parole is becoming a rare thing these days with the new sentencing guidelines. I have been invited to a wedding in New York at the end of July, so I'll be applying for my passport next week
Although a lot of countries do not allow felons to enter, countries that you can drive into from the USA usually don't expel anyone unless they have reason. Speaking of which, while on escape, I got picked up in California for a altercation with somebody. I was expecting to get a lengthy sentence out there and was surprised when the judge stated California has enough problems without importing them from North Carolina. He said he would send me home if I promised never to come back. Naturally I agreed. The same thing happened in Florida. I guess North Carolina has a bad reputation with the justice systems in other states. They must be surprised that we ain't all like Goober.

lol...you seem to be asked to leave a lot of statesgood luck in NY

I am a Consular Officer with the U.S. State Department so passports are my life. The facts are: an ex-felon can get a U.S. passport once his or her "debt to society" has been paid; most visa-waiver countries will not bother to inquire if a person has a criminal background although they will expel particularly notorious individuals; for travel that requires a visa, a criminal background may make the individual ineligible for a visa and lying on the visa application to avoid this would just add another offense for which the person could be punished in that country. Also, anyone who owes outstanding child support payments is not eligible for a passport until all of the back child support has been paid and the state agency has informed the U.S. State Department that the person has no more outstanding child support. For questions about traveling overseas, the best thing to do would be to inquire with the Embassy or Consulate for the country to which the ex-felon is planning to travel (but without specifically mentioning the name of the individual (i.e. "I was in prison and now I would like to visit...")). Hope this helps!