Travel Tips

A passport is a piece of documentation that allows you to travel outside of the country and can show proof of citizenship. They are not hard to get, but may take several weeks for processing. Anytime your name changes, or your passport is lost, stolen, damaged or about to expire you need to apply for a passport renewal.

You should get this done as soon as possible if you are planning on traveling since many countries require that it be issued more then 6 months before the date of entry. If you have one expire while you are out of the US, it can cause problems leaving a foreign country and traveling anywhere else. You may also have problems trying to reenter into the US as well.

Mail is one option you have to renew your passport. There are criteria to meet, and if you can do so this can be quick and easy for you to get a current passport. You must have your passport included with your paperwork, and it must be undamaged and in your current name. It also has to have been issued in the last 15 years, and after you were 16 years of age.

If you fail to meet any of the above criteria, then you must go to an agency and apply in person. You also have to go if this is your first passport, or the one you have was issued before your 16th birthday. If you are unable to obtain your passport, or it is damaged, you will have to apply in person, too.

If you mail it, you must submit the forms with your passport. It is strongly suggested you use a traceable mailing method and take steps to not have any damage to the package while in transit since they will not process it if it is damaged at all. You must also send it from the US and have it delivered to a US or Canadian address.

If you find that you have to go to the agency, then make sure that you fill out the correct form, and have all of the identification the require with you. It can include a birth certificate and your social security card as well as other forms. Do not sign them until instructed to do so during your meeting.

Fees must be paid at the time you apply for the renewal with either method. If you mail it, be sure to include payment as part of your paperwork, and have the funds available at your interview in person. Fees, locations of agencies, and addresses to mail and forms are available from the government website.

Emergency help is available while you are abroad through the consulate, and they can assist you if your USA Passport has expired while traveling. You may also want to contact the regional agency if you have a need to travel in 2 weeks or a foreign visa within 4. Time is of the essence in emergency situations and United States passport renewal needs to be addressed promptly.

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