Travel Tips

Posts Tagged ‘getting a passport’

When you make plans to visit another country, even for a weekend, a United States passport is required. While Canada, some Caribbean locations and Mexico formerly needed only a birth certificate and standard, valid identification for entry and exit, an increased need for security changed the rules. If you do not have one, getting a passport is not difficult or complicated.

The Application

You can pick up the latest application form at the post office or download one at home. If you choose to use the on-line method, be sure to use matte-finish 8 1/2 X 11 inch medium weight paper. If any kind of shiny paper is used, the entry will be rejected. Also, any damage such as rips or holes, even from staples, is not acceptable. The copy must be in black and white. There are applications for getting an urgent passport.

DS-11 Form

Officially called DS-11, it must be filed in person if you have never applied previously. This is also necessary if an old document has lapsed, been stolen or if your legal name has changed. Minors under age 16 have special requirements as do people applying from outside the United States. Filing by mail is allowed if none of these categories affect you.

The government website offers the choice of filling in the information on line, and then printing or printing first and completing the form by hand in black ink. Downloaded pages must be printed on one side only. Do not sign the document until you present it at an acceptance facility. That facility may be located at the post office, court clerk offices or even some public libraries.

Proof Of Citizenship

When applying in person, proof of citizenship is absolutely necessary. It may be in the form of the first passport you received, as long as it is undamaged or unaltered, or a certified birth certificate issued by the city, state or county where you were born. Copies are not accepted and a valid birth certificate needs the official registrar’s embossed seal.

Birth Certificate

For other situations involving those people without a birth certificate, those born abroad or who have become naturalized citizens, check the government website for instructions. An applicant must also be able to prove identity through a valid state driver’s license, a local or federal government ID, or a military identification. Additionally, you will need a new photograph showing you in standard clothing, wearing your normal accessories such as glasses.

Color Photo

The color photo must be 2X2″, the correct facial size and taken within the past six months. While a professional photo service can fulfill all the requirements, it is also possible to do it yourself using the Department of State’s free photo tool on line or at many post offices. Also, you must have your social security number available at the time of application.

Bring or know your social security number. To avoid a surprise, check the latest costs, which increase regularly. If you are in a rush, an additional fee can speed up the processing. Standard applicants should be able to check the progress of their documents on line about a week after submission. With a little foresight, getting a U.S. passport is often a smooth process that leaves you more time to plan that anticipated trip. There are applications for getting an urgent American passport.

It’s common to dream of that tropical island paradise, and many people are looking for a place like this to take a vacation. However, when people are planning to take their vacations here, the last thing they want is crowded, noisy beaches, expensive food and cheap souvenirs, and tourist traps. The sad truth is that many tropical paradises are like this, and it’s the last thing people want. The Island Country Of Cyprus is a destination free from this sort of stuff. It’s the crossroads for three continents – Asia, Africa, and Europe – and is said to be the birthplace of Aphrodite. There are plenty of quiet beaches and naturally lush mountains to explore, making Cyprus a better option than other islands. Begin your island adventure by obtaining your passport.

Online passport expediting services are the new phase in passport processing. From these websites, you can access any sort of passport service you need – from getting your first passport to renewing an old one. And because these services are completely online, you don’t have to worry about running to a handful of different places to get your passport.

Much of Cyprus’ history is still around to see today. And there is a lot of it, too. The history of Cyprus reaches all the way back to the Stone Age, as far back as the 10th millennium BC. There are numerous archaeological sites that still bear the marks of those who lived there so long ago. It definitely makes you feel very small when you’re looking at the remains of a people who lived tens of thousands of years before you. One of these sites, a site also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Choirokoitia. Known as one of the best preserved examples of prehistoric settlements in the world, and seeing it for yourself is a definite must.

Another archaeological site to check out is the Tomb of Kings. This archaeological site features tombs from as far back as the 4th millennium BC. These tombs were carved right out of the solid rock of this site, and some even feature frescoes and columns. Another interesting fact is that Cyprus features some of the oldest water wells on Earth, as well as the earliest evidence of the domestication of cats.

The natural setting of Cyprus is breathtaking. Because it is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, you can expect stretches of beautiful beaches, much of which is inhabited, meaning you can have your own private beach for a day or a week. The mountains of Cyprus also feature miles of hiking trails through the lush forests, as well as little mountain villages to explore. During the winter, the mountains are excellent places to ski. Also be sure to visit Akamas National Park. If you are lucky, you might encounter some of Cyprus’ famous animal residents: the mouflon, the long-eared hedgehog, the striped dolphin, and the flamingo.

Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, and it has lots of bars and restaurants in a historical setting that make it fun to explore. And as you can see, there is much to do outside the city. All you need to do is get out there and explore it. Remember how getting your passport can now be done online. Look up online American passport expediting services to help you get a passport and get on your way.

New Zealand is one of the most unique places on Earth. Renowned for it’s extremely unique flora, fauna, and culture, New Zealand promises to be one of the most special travel spots for you and your family. It’s also become more affordable than ever. The United States Dollar is worth more than New Zealand currency, making the money you put into your trip go a lot farther. After packing some suitcases and getting your american passport, all it takes is a reservation aboard one of New Zealand’s special airplanes, and you’re off. If you are looking for the travel spot that has it all, from skiing to sun tanning on the beach, New Zealand has it.

New Zealand is comprised of two islands: the North Island and the South Island. With so many of the world’s landscapes crammed into two islands, you never have to go far for a change of scenery. New Zealand’s ecological scene is unlike that of any other place on Earth, offering your family a truly unique opportunity for adventure. There are lists and lists of attractions in all parts of New Zealand, and the only trouble you’ll have is picking only a few. Many of these attractions are free, allowing you and your family to visit some of the most awe-inspiring sites on Earth, all while staying in budget. Getting a passport and getting the family there will show you exactly how much there is to do.

Australia, New Zealand’s closest neighbor, is a distance of 1250 miles away, allowing for a completely isolated and self-sufficient ecosystem in New Zealand. This isolation has fostered the evolution of some of strangest looking plants and animals on Earth, many of which are only found on or around New Zealand. The little flightless kiwi, the living-fossil look of the tuatara, and the leaping Hector’s dolphins all provide a glimpse into the rich ecological background of New Zealand. Although they are now extinct, two of the most impressive bird species to ever exist, the 9-foot-tall moa and the world’s largest eagle, the Haast’s eagle, show just how unique the life is on New Zealand. With many birds still around on the island to see, you and your family will get a view of some of the strangest, silliest, and friendliest birds in the world.

The unique flora and fauna of New Zealand isn’t the only thing that makes New Zealand special. Due to its special location on the Earth, New Zealand is one of the most geologically active sites on the planet. This means that some of the most unbelievable geologic activities and formations are still around for you and your family to experience. Including geothermal pools, humongous glaciers, active volcanoes, spitting geysers, and underwater volcanoes that you can actually walk through, the geologic scene on New Zealand provides for you and your family a very unique opportunity to witness Earth’s primordial past.

New Zealand has something for everyone in your family. You can spend a day skiing, the next day hiking, and the next day snorkeling, all while not having to travel very far. You see, getting a United States passport and rounding up the kids promises to be totally worth it. If you are looking for a one of a kind vacation, only New Zealand promises to fulfill it. To renew or apply for your passport, go to the US Passport Now website and check out all their great passport services to make the process a breeze.

When it comes to international travel, the passport is the first item that should be on the to-do list. However, many travelers do not realize that there are actually a variety of forms to choose from that depend on the situation that the applicant is trying to address. Special circumstances require that different pass port application forms are filled out. It is important to make sure that you indeed have the right ones.

Many of the people that use their passports on a regular basis are business travelers. While there are pleasure travelers that will need them occasionally, they may put their passport to use once a year versus every week for the business traveler. For people that are not familiar with how the process of getting a passport works, it can be a little intimidating.

Anyone who needs the actual passport application forms has a few choices in order to be able to get them. The obvious outlet is to physically walk into a passport office and pick up the actual forms. However, the easiest way to get them is to download them directly off of the government website. There should also be complete instructions on what forms are needed for what situation and how to fill them out.

Once the forms have actually been filled out, supporting documents will have to be added before the application will be considered complete. It is also important to note that any first time applicant must not sign their forms until they are actually in the window in front of the clerk. They must witness the signing or the forms are invalid.

The website should have complete instructions for every form that is needed and what form applies to what situation. It is at this point that a private agency may come into play, especially if there are expedited services that are needed. Many of these agencies can handle filling out and submitting the paperwork for the applicant, depending upon their overall category.

In most situations, the normal turnaround time for a passport is about six weeks. They also offer expedited service for an additional $60 of two to three weeks, however, this time frame is not guaranteed. Anyone who is traveling sooner than that or that just wants their passport quicker, must use one of the private offices that can get a passport back to an applicant in as little as 24 hours.

When everything has finally been gathered together, it is time to ship the forms and documents off. Wait! Do not forget to put in the passport photos or all of this hard work will be for nothing. The photos should be issued from a photographer that can size them appropriately (2’x2’) and they should be of a decent quality.

The last and final step in the process of getting a new passport is to ship everything off. First time applicants will have to do everything in person, but many of the other situations can be handled via the mail. The only extra that we suggest here would be to make sure that a reputable overnight service is used to ensure safe delivery of your passport application and corresponding documentation. Basically, your entire life is in that package and trusting it to the regular mail would just not be an intelligent thing to do.

There was a time when traveling to places like Canada or Mexico was as simple as hopping in the car and going, but those days are long gone. Now, anyone crossing a border is looking at obtaining your new passport for the first time in their lives. Anyone who has never had to do this should know right off the bat that it is not something that can usually be handled in a few minutes.

Getting a passport for the first time requires the applicant to follow some specific steps. First time applicants must apply in person at a government sponsored application center. However, certain things must be taken care of prior to the in-person application.

First, keep in mind that rules and laws can change in a moment’s notice. Because of that, it is recommended that before actually heading out to the passport office that the State Department’s website is checked for the materials that are needed and what types of travel require a passport. While we have a synopsis of it here, by the time you are reading it, it could very well be outdated.

The very first thing that has to be done is to get a passport photo taken. The dimensions of the picture are very specific, so only places that specialize in this type of photo should be used. The Internet is a great place to check and just plugging in a term like “passport photos Philadelphia” will give plenty of locations to have the photos taken.

Passport photos are supposed to be done in a very specific manner. For instance, no uniforms are permitted to be worn in the picture. The applicant should wear clothing that would be similar to what they would travel in to avoid any questions when the passport is used. If they wear glasses or any other devices, it is best to have them on in the picture to show the exact likeness that will be portrayed when traveling.

Next, it is important to acquire all of the relevant documentation. The applicant must bring one ID card to the application center. The following are valid forms of ID: a driver’s license, a military card, or any other government issued ID card. The applicant must also bring a copy of this ID card. Next, the applicant must provide a certificate of citizenship. This is normally a valid birth certificate or a certificate of naturalization. The applicant must also bring a photocopy of this document.

Once all of the above documentation has been obtained, they can then head to a certified application center. Typically, these centers are located in a U.S. Post Office. The U.S. State Department website has a list of approved application centers. At the center, the applicant must fill out all paperwork and provide all of the various forms of identification mentioned above. If the applicant center approves the requisite forms of identification, the application may be sent for processing. Applicants in need of rush passports, which are typically defined as a passports needed in less than four weeks, must go to a special regional passport agency.

Getting A Us Passport for the first time can be a little trying for someone that has never done it before, but it really is not that difficult. The trick is in making sure that all documentation is valid and meets the guidelines that have been set forth by the State Department. If everything is in line, your new American passport will be sent out about two months after the application has been accepted.