Expedited Passports

On June 1st, 2009, the rules governing travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean will change. Currently, only air travelers need a passport to re-enter the United States-land and sea travelers can use a photo ID (like a driver’s license), and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate). In just a few short weeks, land and sea travelers will also be required to show a passport.

To make it easier for frequent travelers to carry the appropriate travel documents, the government has introduced a cheaper, wallet-sized passport card. Please note that the passport card is valid for land and sea travel only-air travelers to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean still need the full-fledged (and full-priced) passport book.

How long does it take to get your hands on a passport card? Try 2 to 3 months…there is currently no way to expedite a passport card, only a passport book. If you’ll be crossing the border after June 1st and you haven’t applied for a passport yet, you’ll need to apply for a passport book to make sure you have the appropriate documentation by the deadline.

Fortunately, expediting a passport book is easy to do. You have a couple of different options. First, you can expedite your passport through the US Department of State, although you will still have to wait at least 3 weeks. If you want to be absolutely positive that you get your passport by June 1st, a private passport expediting company is the best way to go.

These companies expedite your passport by delivering your application directly to the US Passport Agency, where it goes to the top of the stack for processing.  With a private passport expediting company, you can have your passport processed in anywhere from 24 hours to a little over a week, depending on how soon you need it.

Be prepared for June 1st-Expedite your passport today!

How do you know if you should renew your old passport or simply apply for a new one? Can you renew your passport if your old passport is expired? Here’s how to know for sure:

Passport Renewal

If you meet all of the qualifications listed below, you can renew your passport instead of having to apply for a new one:

• You still have your old US passport, and it is undamaged and in good condition.
• You were past your 16th birthday when you got your old passport.
• Your passport is no more than 15 years old.
• If you’ve changed your name since your last passport was issued, you have legal documentation to support the name change.

New Passport

• If your passport has been lost or damaged, you must apply in person for a new passport.
• If you were under the age of 16 when you got your current passport, you need to apply for a new one.
• If you’re passport is more than 15 years old, you’ll need a new one.
• If you’ve changed your name and don’t have the applicable paperwork, you’ll also need to apply for a new passport.

What’s the difference between applying for a passport renewal instead of a new passport? Passport renewals can be done through the mail.  Simply fill out Passport Renewal Form DS-82 and include two identical passport photos along with a check for government fees ($75.00 plus $60.00 if you want to use the government’s expedited service).

When applying for a new passport, you have to go in person to a passport acceptance facility and fill out form DS-11, Application for a New Passport. Since you have to apply in person, you’ll pay a $25.00 execution fee in addition to the fees listed above.  Plus, you’ll need to bring proof of identity and proof of citizenship.

After you’ve submitted your application, all you have to do is have patience and wait for your passport to arrive in the mail. It can take 2 to 3 months for regular government service, and expedited service through the government takes at least 3 weeks.

If you need your passport sooner than that, a private passport expediting company can help.  For an additional fee, an expediting company will help you with your passport paperwork and deliver it by hand to the Department of State for faster processing. With an expediting company, you can have your passport processed in as little as 24 hours, although there are various processing times and price points available to meet your needs.

Don’t get stuck waiting for your passport-apply for a passport renewal or a new passport today!

Summer is almost here, and it’s time to start planning your family’s summer vacation. Where are you going this year? If you’re not sure, take a look at these top 5 summer vacation destinations. Remember, you need to renew your passport now if you want to travel this summer!

• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic- Punta Cana is becoming an increasingly well-known playground for American tourists.  Gorgeous pink sand beaches and all-inclusive resorts are the main attractions here.
• London- See London without the fog! In the summer, nicer-than-usual weather brings Londoners out into the city streets to party.
• Argentina- Do you hate hot weather? Escape to the Southern Hemisphere! When it’s summer in the US, it’s winter here. The best skiing is from June to September, so come on down and play in the snow!
• Vancouver Island- Destinations for Leisure has an interesting post up that describes this Canadian island off the coast of British Columbia. If you can’t decide between playing in the ocean and playing in the mountains, this might be the place for you. Bonus: the island is known for its excellent seafood.
• Scandinavia- During summertime, the Scandinavian countries (Norway,  Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland) turn into the land of the midnight sun. With 24 hours of sunlight, the day doesn’t end until you pull the shades down in your hotel room.

Thinking about traveling to another country this summer? Pull out your passport and check the expiration date! If you have less than 6 months left, you may need to renew your passport before you travel. At this point, a private passport expediting service may be your best bet. Regular passport processing often takes 2 or even 3 months, and even the government’s expedited service takes at least 3 weeks.

Why wait that long? With an expediting company, you can renew your passport in as little as 24 hours, with no need to make an appointment or wait in line at a Regional Passport Agency.

For hassle-free summer travel, renew your passport with us today!

American citizens in Michigan now have a passport office nearby.  On Monday, Ambassador Janice L. Jacobs, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, inaugurated a Regional Passport Agency office downtown at 211 West Fort Street.

Before this office opened, the nearest Regional Passport Agency was in Chicago, Illinois. A Regional Passport Agency office helps travelers who need a passport for travel within the next 14 days. Given that new passport rules will go into effect on June 1st, requiring a passport to come back across the Canadian border, the new passport office could not have opened at a better time.

Regional Passport Agencies admit travelers by appointment only. They are open only during limited business hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, meaning that many travelers will have to take off work to visit.

Is there an easier way to get a passport immediately? And what about the many Americans who don’t live within driving distance of a Regional Passport Agency office? Fortunately, there is a way to get your passport quickly without having to wait in line, make an appointment, or drive long distances. A private passport expediting company can forward your application directly to the US Department of State for faster processing-sometimes in as little as 24 hours!

Why waste time driving to the passport office for your appointment? Order your passport from us today!

A BBC show called “Flog It” has unearthed a 400-year-old passport signed by King Charles the 1st. The document was issued to a 17th-century ship Captain, Captain Bradshaw, and is being valued at up to $20,000 pounds. The lucky owner received it as a birthday present from her husband, who paid only a hundred pounds for it.

What did passports look like that long ago? Unsurprisingly, a passport from 1641 bears little resemblance to its modern counterpart. There is no photo on the front, and no place for visa stamps.  The document was written by hand on vellum parchment, made from calfskin. According to the BBC, the writing on the scroll ” gives passage to a Captain Bradshaw and his wife and servants to travel the oceans on behalf of the king.”

These days, if you tried to enter another country with a document like that, you’d be detained immediately. So, it’s important to make sure you have a passport before you leave on an international trip. You should apply for your passport early, too-preferably at least 2 or three months before your scheduled departure date.

If you need to get a passport in a hurry, a private expediting company like RushmyPassport.com is the way to go. You’ll get personal attention and service, along with superfast processing times. An expediting company will had-deliver your application, and can have it processed in as little as 24 hours.

Get ready for your trip today by ordering your passport now!

This year, international travel is cheaper for Americans than it has been in a long time.  The exchange rate between the dollar and many foreign currencies has improved, and the economic situation has airlines and hotels slashing prices to attract tourists.

What does this mean to you? Well, if you’ve ever wanted to travel internationally, this is the year to plan a trip. If a trip to Italy is on your life list, the best time to travel is right now. Spring is the best time to visit Italy-flowers are blooming, the weather is mild, and high tourist season doesn’t start until summer.

There are also some great last-minute travel deals out there. For example, this special from Eurofly covers your flight and hotel for 6 nights in the Eternal City for only $1299.00. What should you do when you get there? This post on Destinations for Leisure covers the basics: the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Colosseum. To which I would add: the Pantheon, the Galleria Borghese for art history buffs, and the Capitoline Museums for lovers of archaeology. (more…)

El Paso residents who need passports should be aware that the County District Clerk has temporarily stopped accepting passport applications due to confirmed cases of swine flu in the area.

According to this report from a local Fox News affiliate, the office decided to stop accepting passport applications after 7 cases of swine flu were reported in the district, and will remain closed “until further notice.”

The office was already experiencing long lines as area residents struggled to get their passport applications filled out in time for the June 1st implementation of the final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.  After June 1st, a passport or a passport card will be required to return to Mexico by land or sea.

If you live in El Paso and are worried about getting a passport, there are other places you can apply. The US Department of State has a listing of all the passport acceptance facilities in the El Paso area.  You may want to call these facilities before you start driving, to make sure that they are open and to check on current wait times.

Right now,  according to the US Passport Agency,  getting a passport takes at least 4 to 6 weeks. If you need your passport sooner than that, a private expediting company is your best bet. An expediting company can forward your application to the US Department of State personally. This results in processing times that can be as fast as 24 hours, so you can still beat the June 1st deadline.

Let RushMyPassport.com help you with getting a passport today!

Do you have a wedding in your near future? Congratulations! Have you started planning your honeymoon yet? Many couples want to start their new life together by going somewhere new and exotic. However, the inevitable hassles involved in international travel can be stressful for newlyweds….or anyone else for that matter!

After all the stress involved in planning a wedding, you and your new spouse will probably want to relax. A honeymoon cruise may be just what the doctor ordered-you still get to go somewhere new and exciting, but the cruise line takes care of all the logistics for you.  Cruises are also a cheaper way to travel outside of the country, especially right now, when there are so many sales going on.

Destinations For Leisure has a post with some great recommendations for couples planning a honeymoon cruise. First, make sure to look for cruises that offer complimentary services to honeymooners. Also, if you’ve never been on a cruise before, choose a short cruise with a lot of time in port-nothing ruins a honeymoon like seasickness!

When you plan a honeymoon cruise, you also need to make arrangements for obtaining a passport if the cruise will take you outside of the US. Starting June 1st,2009, land and sea travelers to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean will need passports to reenter the US in many cases.

Obtaining a passport involves filling out the appropriate application forms, submitting proof of identification and proof of citizenship, and paying the appropriate government fees. Fees vary depending on whether you are applying for a new passport or a renewal-you can view current fees here.

Obtaining a passport does take some time-at least 2 to 3 months for the government’s regular service, and at least 3 weeks for their expedited service. To ensure your honeymoon goes smoothly, use a private passport expediting company if you are short on time. An expediting company can have your passport application processed in as little as 24 hours, depending on how fast you need it.

International cruise coming up? Visit our website and find out just how easy obtaining a passport can be!

International travel is a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. To help keep Americans safe, the Department of State issues travel warnings whenever travel to a particular country becomes dangerous. Here are the top 10 places not to take your US passport. You can find more travel warnings at the Department of State website.

1. Yemen-On the list for terrorist attacks that specifically target Americans.  In September of last year, the American Embassy was attacked, and the US government remains concerned about terrorist activities.
2. Sudan- The current situation in Sudan is a true human tragedy.  Americans are advised not to travel to the country at all, since there is a possibility of being caught up in protests or terrorist attacks that target Westerners.
3. Central African Republic-Armed rebel groups, bandits and poachers…not anyone’s idea of a good vacation.
4. Algeria-From the Department of State’s website: “Terrorist attacks including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnappings, ambushes, and assassinations occur regularly.” Enough said.
5. Iraq- The situation on the ground in most of Iraq is still dangerous for civilians, especially Western civilians. (more…)

Still trying to come up with ideas for Mother’s Day? Cruises have become surprisingly affordable-why not pitch in with your siblings and get her a cruise? For example, the Travel Deals blog has a link to some great deals on Caribbean cruises, starting as low as $179!

Remember, though, that travel requirements for cruises to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean are changing.  Currently, travelers on cruises to these regions can use photo ID and proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate, to re-enter the United States. However, starting June 1st, 2009, passports will be required for adults on cruises to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, unless the cruises begin and end at the same US port.

If you’re purchasing a cruise for Mom this year, make sure to check with the cruise line to see if passports will be required. If your mother doesn’t have a passport, you can help her apply for an expedited passport if she needs one. Since most of the cruises that are on sale leave within the next month or so, the best way to make sure Mom has her passport in time is to use a private passport expediting service. Although the US Department of State offers expedited service, their expedited service currently takes at least 3 weeks door-to-door.  An expediting company can have her expedited passport application processed in as little as 24 hours, so she won’t have to worry about being left in port.

Order an expedited passport today, and get ready to enjoy life on the high seas!