Posts tagged: new pass port

Your First Time Passport – Getting One Can Be Not As Hard As You Would Believe

Applying for a New American Passport can be very daunting, especially if you’re getting a passport for the first time. There are many requirements that you need to bring about, and sometimes you just might have to do a little legwork when processing your passport. We can help make things a lot easier for you. Let’s show you some of the basic things you need to know about applying for passports.

The first item you need to deal with is the different forms used when applying for passports. These different forms are used for different purposes, so you really need to know which one you’ll need. There’s a form for applying for a passport for the first time, then there’s another one that you’ll fill in if you lost your passport, and then a different one if you have to renew your passport.  Since you want to apply for a passport, let’s deal with the first type of form.

The form filled in by first time passport applicants is Form DS-11. It used to be that you had to go the nearest passport office to get a copy of this form. But today you can download this form via the US Department of State’s website. Once downloaded, you can fill the form in before printing it, or you could also print it first then fill it in later using a pen.

You will need to submit this form along with the other documents that may be required of you once you have completed this. When processing your passport, you have two options of going about this procedure. The first one is the routine passport processing, which you can choose if you’re not in a hurry to get your passport. Currently, the processing time for routine passports is four to six weeks.

An expedited passport is what you need if you need to travel within four weeks. Expedited passports are given priority over those that go through routine processing. Because of this, expedited passports are processed a lot faster.

Normally, an expedited New Passport is processed within a two to three week period. This is obviously a lot faster than routine passports. If you need to travel in less than four weeks, then this is the option you need to take.

Speeding up the process of your application takes more resources. That’s why expedited passports have a small additional fee on top of the regular passport processing fees. Don’t worry about this though, as the price you have to pay isn’t the hefty, and it pays for itself in the form of speed and convenience that you get.

When it comes to applying for a First Time American Passport, you have two options to go about it. First, you can choose the routine passport processing that doesn’t require an extra fee, but may be too slow if you need to travel soon. Then there’s the expedited passport processing. The price that you pay for this kind of service is offset by the convenience and speed that it affords you.

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categories Travel Tips | admin | datetime March 8, 2010 2:01 pm | comments Comments (0)

Want To Find Out How To Renew Your Expired Us Passport?

Once your passport has expired, it is automatically invalidated. What this means is you can no longer use your passport for travel to destinations where a US passport is required. You’ll therefore need to have your passport renewed. There are several ways of going about this. But for starters, let’s begin with how to renew your Expired U.S. Passport by mail.

If you’re after convenience, then applying for a passport renewal by mail is the option for you. The good thing about this is that you no longer need to go to the passport office just to submit the requirements for your passport renewal. With this option, you simply have to mail all the requirements, and you’ll just have to wait for the new passport, which will also arrive by mail.

However, not everyone can renew their passports by mail. First of all, you need to meet the requirements set for you to do this. Here’s your checklist on whether you can apply for a passport by mail: your passport should be in a good condition, it was issued when you were at least 16 years old, and it was issued no more than 15 years ago. Also, the passport must contain your legal name. Otherwise, you should at least be able to legally document your name change.

In case your passport has been damaged, or you do not meet the other requirements mentioned above, then you will have to submit your passport renewal application in person. Don’t worry though, if you have to do this. It’s just an extra measure to ensure that the passport is issued to the right person.

Also keep in mind that the passport renewal by mail is open to those in the US and citizens based in Canada. If these two conditions apply to you, then just download Form DS-82 at the US Department of State’s website. Once you’ve filled it out, mail it to the address indicated in the form with the other requirements.

What should you do if you are based outside of the US or Canada? Then you may not apply for a passport renewal by mail. Your option is to visit your nearest US Embassy or Consulate then have your Expired US Passport renewed there. They will assist you on how to do this. This is an important reminder, especially if you regularly take trips outside of the US or Canada.

Make sure you send your passport application by mail using a traceable method of delivery. That’s so you can keep track of your application until it arrives at the passport office, and get a confirmation when it does. In addition to that, place all of your documents in a secure envelope to protect it from the elements while it is being transported.

Your application for Expired US Passport renewal normally takes four to six weeks to process through the routine application. However, you could also have the process expedited if you need your passport sooner. This will cut the processing time to just two to three weeks. That’s everything you need to know on how to renew your expired passport.

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categories Travel Tips | admin | datetime February 7, 2010 11:35 pm | comments Comments (0)

Make Sure You Are Ready Before You Go To Get Your New American Passport

Regardless of the type of passport-related transaction you’re going to do, you should always make it a point to know the requirements on getting a new pasport. This is important because knowing what you need to do beforehand helps you save a lot of time. It becomes even more important when you need to make a personal appearance at the passport office. You don’t want to travel there only to waste half of your time trying to figure out what to do next.

In this article, we’ll be dealing with getting a new passport. So if you want a quick and easy guide to understand this subject, then you have come to the right place. Read on and learn more about it.

First, let’s deal with those applying for a new us passport. If you’ve never had a passport before, then you will be required to fill in the DS-11 form. Your requirements don’t stop here, of course. You will also have to submit other pieces of information for your passport application.

For one, you need to establish your US citizenship. When establishing your citizenship, you have to present US-issued documents such as the following: your birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, and certificate of naturalization. Or, if you were born abroad, the consular report on your birth would suffice. Present any of these documents along with the DS-11. Your document will then be returned to you along with your US passport. Other times, your document may be mailed separately.

Aside from the DS-11 and your proof of citizenship, you’ll also need to present an ID when you appear in person. In addition, you need to have that ID photocopied and submit it with the other requirements. You will also have to submit two passport photos. And finally, you will need to pay the applicable fees.

Now let’s deal with renewing your US passport. You need to have your passport renewed once it expires. You can then request for passport renewal by mail if you fill in Form DS-82. However, if you are based abroad, you will have to visit the nearest US embassy or consulate to have your passport renewed. Simply submit it to them and they will help you with what you need.

Finally, there’s the passport card. You can use the passport card when traveling to these Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative areas: Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico. If you currently have a US passport, or at least were a previous passport holder, then you can apply for a passport card by mail. Simply fill in Dorm DS-82 then send it by mail. Otherwise, you will have to submit the DS-11 form in person.

In sum, there are just two types of passport forms you need to be familiar with when you apply for a new United States passport. First is the DS-11, which you’ll use when you are applying for a passport for the first time. On the other hand, the DS-82 is meant for passport-related transactions you can conduct by mail. The same rule applies when you are applying for a passport card.

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categories Travel Tips | admin | datetime 11:35 pm | comments Comments (0)

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