Travel Tips

Posts Tagged ‘U.S. passport application’

That time off is so badly needed, but nothing could possibly be worst than making travel plans and not realizing that a passport to Cancun is needed until it is too late. People are getting all kinds of bad information about this right now and not being prepared can be the difference in having a great trip or getting to the airport and being forced to turn right back around.

Since Cancun is not a part of the United States, one can safely assume that they would need a passport to travel there. However, while this will usually be the case, there can be exceptions. It is perfectly understandable how some people are very confused by the whole process because these laws were not even in place about a year ago.

Everything changed in regards to travel in June of 2009. The United States went from requiring nothing more than a driver’s license or birth certificate to cross back in from border countries to requiring passport documentation. This is a significant change and one that many people are still not fully aware of.

Anyone who is considering traveling to Cancun for a trip will definitely need a passport. But hold on, this is where the exception comes in at. The rules are adjusted for people that are taking cruises. It is because of this very exception that much of the confusion about needing a passport started in the first place.

Travelers on cruises to certain international destinations are not required to carry passports provided that the cruise is deemed “closed loop.” A closed loop cruise is any cruise that starts and finishes in the same port or same port country. However, it is important to note that these closed loop exemptions only apply to cruises that begin and end in the United States, and only on cruises that visit certain international countries.

Countries that are accepted into this exception are such location as: Bermuda, The Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean Island locations. Because all areas are not fully accepted, it is always good to check with either the State Department or the travel agent to make sure that the destination does or does not require a passport for re-entry.

Citizens have been screaming at Homeland Security from day one about these new rules, but they are in place to protect everyone. Cancun has always been a location that US citizens could pretty much travel to and from without any hassle. In all honesty, the hassles will remain minimal; there are just some extra security measures in place to make the borders more secure.

Having said all of that, it is still always better to have too much documentation than not enough. Obtaining a USA passport application to Cancun will give assurances that there will be no problems. In you do not want to get a regular passport, a passport card can be used instead. Regardless, anyone planning to travel would do wise to obtain a USA passport sooner or later to avoid the long waits or extra fees that will have to be paid to get one on short notice.

If you are intending to travel to a foreign country you will need a passport. A passport is a legal document that is issued by the federal government, for the purpose of providing proof that you are a resident of that country. A passport has several pages for stamping by foreign countries immigration officers, and also displays your photo and identifying information. There are several necessary steps to applying for a passport.

The process of applying for a passport involves presenting your personal identification and proof of birth. Your driver’s license or identification card will be required. You will also need to show an official copy of your birth certificate. Once you have these documents, you can start the application process for your passport.

If you do not have a copy of your birth certificate, this is the first issue of business you should address. Obtaining a birth certificate for the purpose of applying for a passport is simple. You need to contact the Office of Vital Records for the town you were born in.

As soon as you have your birth certificate you can apply for your passport. It is possible to apply online, but only if you have done so before. If you have not applied before, you will need to apply in person.

When applying online you simply need to pull up the website for the US. State Department. You should not sign this application until it has been approved, as there is a genuine risk of identity theft.

Applying for a passport can be done at the post office or at the county clerk’s office. Do not forget to bring the necessary identification mentioned above. This should also include a passport photo, which can be obtained at a number of locations. Any place that develops film will typically offer passport photos.

When you have arrived at you passport issuing agency, then you will need to present your documentation and your photos. A passport agent will review this material. When the passport has been approved, you can then pay the passport fee. You will receive your passport via the mail.

Applying for a passport may take from six weeks up to six months from the time you apply to the time the passport arrives in your mail. For this reason it is important that you process the application as far ahead of your travel date as possible. If you need to expedite this process it is possible, however, it will cost a small additional fee to have this process rushed.

You may also contact your Congressman’s office when applying for an American passport. Your passport will be good for 15 years before it needs to be renewed. When renewing a pass port you do not need to go through the process of applying for a passport, but simply need to request an updated passport via the mail.

When travelling outside of the United States, you need to present a valid US passport. It is necessary to have a US passport even if you are traveling to bordering countries such as Canada and Mexico. The process involved in assembling and submitting a passport application can be daunting, but with attention to detail it is simple enough.

The first thing to do when you want to get your US passport is to visit a post office for the application form or download it online. If you choose to print the form you must use black ink on white matte paper. The dimensions of the paper must be 8 1/2 X 11 inches.

In order to have your application approved, you will need to be able to provide proof of US citizenship. Documents that are approved for this purpose are a certified US birth certificate (not a copy), a US citizenship certificate or a naturalization certificate. Other forms of ID may also be requested such as an old US passport, driver’s license or other forms of state or federal ID.

With the application you also have to hand in two passport photos that have been taken within the last six months. There are requirements about these photos so it is best to have them done in a store that is well versed in the regulations. You cannot have a head covering or glasses in the photos and you must be looking right at the camera. You cannot be wearing any kind of uniform and the lighting and size of you in proportion to the background needs to be just right.

If you are planning to travel, then it is best to apply for your passport as soon as possible. Due to a heavy workload, there are times when the issue of passports can be delayed. The issuing agent in the United States recommends applying for your passport around 12 weeks before you intend to travel. This will give you time to correct any potential errors in the passport application too. If you need to, you can pay extra to have the passport issued more rapidly than normal.

When you have sent off your passport application you can monitor its progress via the state department website. Before you send the application form, ensure that you have attached all necessary paperwork and that the forms are completely filled in and accurate. If there are items missing or you have made mistakes, then the application will be knocked back.

Costs involved with US passports are – adult passport $100, child passport $85. The additional fee to have the passport issued more quickly is $60. If you are applying for a US passport for the first time, then you will also need to fill in the DS-11 form with your application.

If you are careful about filling in the correct information on your U S passport application, attaching correct passport photos and you pay the correct fee, then you will not have trouble getting your US passport. The American passport issuing body estimates that around 10 percent of applicants make errors on their forms, which slows down the process considerably.

Applying for a passport can be a mysterious process for those who have never held one. Many applications are turned down due to errors made by the applicant. Arriving at the passport agency without the proper documents is one key reason for rejection. The information presented here will help you to get your passport application approved without a frustrating waste of time.

Passports can be renewed by mail under certain conditions. If it was issued less than 15 years ago and is undamaged, you may not have to apply in person. Your current passport must also have been issued when you were 16 years of age or older. It should bear your current name, or you must furnish legal documentation of the name change.

Mail order renewals make take 10 or 12 weeks to process during the busy season. During slow times, you should still allow 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited service can be requested for an additional $60, which will cut the processing time in half. When mailing in your application, include all passport forms required, pack it in a weather-proof mailer, and opt for tracking services.

If you have never had a passport, or if it has been more than 15 years since you received one, you have to apply at the issuing site. This is also the case if the age limit of 16 cannot be met. If your current passport has been damaged, stolen, or lost, you must also apply in person. Also, anyone with a name change he or she cannot document must make personal application.

The most popular places to apply in person are county clerk offices and post offices. Regional passport agencies can also issue passports, but many states do not have an agency. Each type of operation will have different business hours, but all will require that you furnish the same documentation. Proof of citizenship is one requirement. This can be provided in the form of an official birth certificate (the type with an embossed seal) or a certificate of naturalization or citizenship. Your old passport can be accepted if it is undamaged. For U.S. citizens born abroad, a consular report or certificate of birth can be used.

You will also be required to prove your identity. A passport can serve for this purpose as well as your proof of citizenship. The most common documentation is a current driver’s license or state issued identification card. If your license was issued by a state other than the one in which you are making your application for passport, you will need a second form of identification. The agency will accept your social security card, your credit card, or your employer identification card. You must also provide a copy of all identification used for the application. This cannot be a duplex copy, or copy with dual sided printing.

You must submit two identical photographs of yourself. These must be in color, 2 inches by 2 inches in size, and taken within the last 6 months. They should reflect your current appearance and be frontal views of your full face. The background should be white or off-white. There should be between 1 and 1-3/8 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head. Pictures should be taken in your normal attire and any eyeglasses or wigs that are worn daily should be worn for the photographs. Hats should not be worn, nor any type of hair accessories that conceal the hairline.

There are different requirements for special passports, such as for children or dignitaries. However, most adults who need passports should now have a good idea of what will be required to complete a new passport application. Accurately completing the US passport form forms and providing the proper documentation are the most crucial elements for success.