Passport Photos: How To Get Them Right The First Time - Expedited Passports

One common reason that passport applications get delayed is for an unacceptable passport photo.  You can’t just submit a random headshot of yourself- the US Department of State is very particular about the type of photos it will accept.  Here are some guidelines to make sure your glamour shot gets accepted the first time:

• Face forward-this is not a modeling shoot.  The Department of State doesn’t care if you look better with your head tilted at a specific angle.-they just a want a picture of you facing forward, looking at the camera.
• No hats or headgear allowed, unless you wear them everyday for religious reasons. If this is the case, you will need to submit a signed statement verifying that the headgear is religious in nature.
• No funny faces-the government will reject your photo if it shows you making an “unusual expression” or squinting.
• Ditch the shades-Unless you need them for medical reasons,  you are not allowed to wear sunglasses in your passport photo. Regular, un-tinted glasses are okay, but make sure there isn’t any glare on them in the picture.
• No uniforms: If you’re wearing a uniform for work, school or an organization like Scouts, make sure you change before you go to get your passport photo taken.  Passport photos taken in a uniform, anything that looks like a uniform, or camouflage attire will be rejected.
• Make sure the photos are in focus, not overexposed and the right size. They should be 2 inches by 2 inches, and your face should be approximately 1 to 1 3/8 inches tall.

Once you submit your photos and your application, you can expect to wait at least 6 weeks if you apply with regular processing and at least 3 weeks if you apply for the government’s expedited processing.  For faster service, a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport is the most convenient option.

When you submit your application through RushMyPassport.com, it will be hand-delivered to the Department of State, for processing times as fast as 24 hours. This not only gets your passport to you more quickly, it also gives you more time in case your application is held up by the Department of State for any reason.

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If you are traveling in 2010, there are new passport laws you need to be aware of.   For example, at the beginning of last year, American citizens could enter Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean without a passport.

However, on June 1st, 2009, the final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI for short) went into effect. Now, most Americans traveling to these countries do need passports to travel. Here are the details of the new passport laws:

Americans traveling to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean by plane need a passport book. Americans traveling to these countries by sea need a passport book, a passport card, or a WHTI-approved alternative, like an enhanced driver’s license, a NEXUS card, a FAST card or a SENTRI card.  For most Americans, the passport book and the passport card are easiest to obtain, but the passport card can only be used for land or sea travel, not for air travel. The passport book is a better choice, because there is always the possibility you might have to fly home in an emergency.

There are a few exceptions to the new requirements, but they primarily apply for land or sea travel, not to air travel. So, again, even though you don’t technically need a passport if you fall into one of the following categories, it’s a good idea to carry one anyway in case you need to fly home.

Here are the exceptions:

• Children under the age of 16 traveling by land or sea can use their birth certificates, naturalization certificates or certificates of citizenship.
• Children under the age of 19 traveling by land or sea with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team accompanied by an adult chaperon can use their birth certificates, naturalization certificates or certificates f citizenship.
  
• Cruise ship passengers on a closed-loop cruise, one that begins and ends at the same US port, can use government-issued photo ID (like your driver’s license) and a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship.
  

Under the new rules, the only circumstance in which an American citizen can travel outside the US by plane without a passport is if you have a NEXUS card and you are traveling to a Canadian preclearance airport with a NEXUS kiosk. Preclearance airports are listed here.

If you need a new passport, the fastest and most reliable way to get one is to use a private passport expediting service like RushMyPassport.com. You’ll get personal attention and help from a passport specialist, plus your application will be hand-delivered to the Department of State for processing times as low as 24 hours.

Apply for your new passport today!

As winter storms slam large parts of the US (again), one way to soothe yourself is to book a vacation someplace tropical. If you are planning a trip to the Virgin Islands, you may be wondering whether or not you need a passport to go. The answer depends on whether you are planning to go to the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands.

The US Virgin Islands are part of the United States.  So, if you’re going directly from the US to St. Thomas, St. Croix or  St. John, you do not need a US passport. Check your itinerary carefully and confirm this with your airline, though, as you will need a passport if you have a layover in another Caribbean country.

However, if you are going to the British Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Peter Island, Jost Van Dyke, Cooper Island, Salt Island, or Marina Cay),  you will need a US passport as these islands are owned by the United Kingdom. You will also need a passport if you are staying on one of the US Virgin Islands and plan to hop on over to the British Virgin Islands for a day trip.

Prior to June 1st, 2009, passports weren’t required to travel to the British Virgin Islands by land or by sea, as long as you had a driver’s license and a birth certificate (or a naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship). On June 1, the new requirements went into effect, and now you must have a passport to visit the British Virgin Islands.  A passport book is required if you are flying, while sea travelers can also use a passport card, NEXUS card, FAST card or SENTRI card or an enhanced driver’s license.

However, there are a few exceptions:

• If you travel to the British Virgin Islands on a closed-loop cruise (one that begins and ends at the same US port), you can still use a driver’s license and your birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship.

• Children under the age of 16 traveling to or from the British Virgin Islands by sea can use their birth certificates. Air travel to the British Virgin Islands requires a passport no matter what the age of the child.

• Children under the age of 19 traveling with a school group, church group, sports team or volunteer organization chaperoned by an adult can use their birth certificates as well, so long as they are traveling by  sea. Again, air travel requires a passport book.

If you need a passport in a hurry, RushMyPassport.com can help. We hand-deliver your passport application to the Department of State for processing times as low as 24 hours. Apply for your passport with us today!

If you need to apply for a passport and you live in Union County, New Jersey, here’s how to score free passport photos: Go submit your application at the Union  County Clerk’s office before the end of February.

According to this article on NJ.com, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has decided that her office will waive the normal $10 fee for having passport photos taken at the office for applicants who submit their applications before the end of next month:

“My offices will waive the normal $10 fee for having your photograph taken when you apply by Feb. 27 for a passport book or passport card at our offices in Elizabeth and Westfield. The free passport photo is our way of trying to reduce your travel expenses a bit and encourage you to get your passport ready for spring and summer vacations.”

The Union County Clerk’s office is a passport acceptance facility, which means they accept applications from people who need to apply f0r their passports in person. They do not issue passports on site, so be prepared to wait 6 weeks for your passport to arrive in the mail if you apply with normal processing.

Although passport acceptance offices can expedite your passport application with the payment of an additional $60 fee, you could still wait up to three weeks for your passport to arrive.  If you have a trip scheduled and you need a passport sooner than that, you have two options:

• Apply at a Regional Passport Agency office (if you’re in New Jersey, this will most likely mean a trip to New York City).
• Use a private passport expediting company.

Using a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport.com is usually the most convenient of the two options. With an expediting company, you can apply at the County Clerk’s office and get your free passport photos, but you will have them seal your documents and send them overnight to the expediting company.

Then, the expediting company delivers them by hand to the Department of State. No need to make an appointment or drive to a passport office-we handle all of that for you, and then send your passport back as soon as its ready. This process cuts processing times to as little as 24 hours!

Apply for your passport today!

Peaches Geldof, the 20-year daughter of Sir Bob Geldof  (the former lead singer of the Boomtown Rats and the actor who played “Pink” in Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”) recently lost her passport in a London park.  Unfortunately, she also had plans to  go to Mexico next month. Without a passport, those plans would have to be postponed.

Fortunately for Peaches, she is something of a celebrity and she has a Twitter account.  So, when it was discovered, the woman who found it recognized her name and sent Peaches a tweet to let her know it was safe. The Mail Online quotes an unidentified “friend” who explained that Peaches   “was resigned to the fact that she would need to apply for a passport.  Then she received a Twitter message from someone telling her that they had found it – she was over the moon.”

Now, unless you are celebrity, if you lose your passport it is unlikely that a random stranger will be able to find you on Twitter.  So, you will need to report it lost/stolen  to the US Department of State by calling 1-877-487-2778. Then, you will need to replace it.   For step-by-step instructions, see How to Replace a Lost Passport.

Normal passport processing takes about 6 weeks. If you order expedited service from the government, it can still take 3 weeks.  What if you need to replace your lost passport more quickly?

If you’re traveling within 14 days, you can go to a Regional Passport Acceptance Agency to replace your lost passport. However, Passport Agency offices are only located in select cities, have limited hours of operation and are appointment-only. In most cases, using a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport. com is a more convenient option.

As a licensed hand-courier, RushMyPassport can deliver your application personally to the Department of State, putting your application at the top of the list for super-fast processing. With RushMyPassport.com, your application can be processed in as little as 24 hours.

Apply for your passport with us today!

We may still be stuck in the depths of winter, but Spring Break is just around the corner, and it’s time to start planning your spring vacation. If you are vacationing outside of the US this year, it’s important to check and see what kind of travel documents you will need. New passport regulations went into effect on June 1st, 2009, and passports are now required for more destinations than ever before. Here’s the scoop:

On June 1, 2009, the final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative went into effect.  Now, the law requires that US citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean by land or sea carry a passport book or another WHTI-compliant document, like a passport card,  an enhanced driver’s license or a NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI card. Previously, you could just bring your driver’s license and your birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization certificate.

However, if you’re going on a cruise for Spring Break, you might be able to get by with just your driver’s license and birth certificate, assuming that your cruise begins and ends at the same US port. Check with your cruise line to see what documents are required, but consider applying for a new passport anyway-you’ll need it if you have to fly home for an emergency.

Also, if you’re under the age of 19 and you are traveling outside of the country for Spring Break with a church group, school group, sports group or cultural organization, you can just bring a copy of your birth certificate as long as your group is under adult supervision. Again, though, it’s better to have a passport.

If you are flying anywhere outside of the United States, even if it’s just to Mexico or Canada, you must have a US passport-no exceptions.

The time to apply for your passport is now-in fact, according to the University of Arizona’s passport acceptance office, students only have 5 days left to apply for a passport with regular processing. Applications need to be in by February 12th if you are using the government’s expedited processing option for your new passport.

This is based on the University of Arizona’s Spring Break-you may have more or less time depending on when your school lets out.  Check your dates, and make sure to allow 6 weeks for regular processing and 3 weeks for expedited processing.

You should also be aware that applying for a new passport through a private passport expediting company  can make the application process much easier as well as drastically reduce your processing time.  For example, RushMyPassport.com can have your application processed in as little as 24 hours.

Apply for your new passport today!

Canada and the US have a long tradition of being good neighbors to each other.  At one time, US citizens could cross the border with nothing more than a driver’s license. However, in recent years the laws have changed, leaving many confused.

Do you need a passport to go to Canada? In all likelihood, yes.  Since June 1, 2009, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) has required that Americans traveling to Canada by land or by sea carry one of the following documents as proof of citizenship:

• A US passport book
• A US passport card
• A NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card
• An enhanced driver’s license (only available in certain states)

The only exceptions are for children and people on “closed-loop” cruises. Children under the age of 16 can use their birth certificates, naturalization certificates or certificates of citizenship instead of a passport if they are traveling by land or by sea.

Children under the age of 19 can use birth certificates, too, provided they are traveling with an organized group such as a school group, church group, sports team, volunteer group or cultural organization.  The group must be supervised by an adult and carry a letter on organization letterhead that contains the name of the group, the names of the supervising adult and the children, and a signed statement certifying that parental permission has been obtained for all children on the trip.

Americans traveling to Canada on a closed-loop cruise (one that begins and ends in the same US port) can travel with their driver’s licenses or state -issued ID cards and their birth certificates or naturalization certificates.

Now, if you traveling to Canada by plane, the rules are different. You need a passport book (the passport card won’t cut it), and there are no exceptions, even for children.  Even if you are traveling by land or by sea, it’s a good idea to use a passport book in case you have to fly home unexpectedly.

RushMyPassport can make applying for  a passport much easier and faster. We’ll help you with your application and hand-deliver it to the US Department of State, resulting in processing times as low as 24 hours.

Apply for your passport with us today!

One name is enough for most of us mortals, but celebrities often have two-their actual legal name and the name they perform under.  So, Tony Bennett is actually Anthony Benedetto, Marilyn Manson is actually Brian Warner and Joan Rivers is actually Joan Rosenberg, the last name of her late husband.

Earlier this month, amid increased security after the thwarted Christmas Day bombing, Rivers’ alias got her into a little bit of a pickle, according to the New York Daily News.  The comedienne was heading home from New Year’s Day in Costa Rica, when she got held up by gate agent who questioned the legitimacy of her US passport.  On her passport, her name is listed as “Joan Rosenberg aka Joan Rivers.”

The misunderstanding caused Ms. Rivers to be bumped from her flight to Newark, leaving her stranded in Costa Rica with no ATM card and only $100 in her pocket.

Although some news reports say that the police were called to the airport, now that she is back home she was able to laugh at the situation with the New York Daily News:

“If I were going to make up an alias, I wouldn’t pick Rosenberg. I’d pick Jolie or Pitt. Do terrorists wear Manolo Blahniks? I can tell you Donna Karan does not make anything that hides a bomb.”

“I tried the tears; they didn’t work. I tried reasoning. I couldn’t bribe because I didn’t have any money,” she said. “I said ‘I’m going to have a heart attack over this,’ so the woman called the paramedics.”

Although most of us don’t have aliases, this story underscores how important it is to make sure all of the information on your passport is correct and up-to-date. Joan Rivers may be laughing about it now, but the prospect of being stranded in airport unexpectedly is no fun!

If you have an international trip coming up and you need to get a passport name change or make a correction, RushMyPassport.com can help. We offer a variety of different packages and depending on the option you select, we can have your application processed in as little as 24 hours.

Submit your passport application with us today!

Recent changes in passport rules have left many U.S. Citizens confused as to whether or not they need a passport to travel to the Bahamas. On June 1st, 2009, the final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into effect:

If you are traveling by plane, you must have a U.S. Passport.

If you are traveling by sea, you can use a passport book or one of the following documents:

• a passport card
• a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card
• an enhanced driver’s license (only some states have these).

Please note that the passport card can only be used if you are traveling to the Bahamas by sea-it’s no valid for air travel.

Exceptions

There are, however, a few exceptions to the above rules. For example, if you are traveling to the Bahamas on a closed-loop cruise, a cruise that begins and ends at the same US port, you can use your driver’s license and birth certificate instead of a passport.

There are also a couple of exceptions for children.  Children under age 16 can use a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship IF they are traveling to and from the Bahamas by sea. Children under age 19 can also use birth certificates IF they are traveling by sea and IF they are traveling with a school group, a church group or a social or cultural organization supervised by an adult.

Just like adults, children in any age group must have a passport book to travel to the Bahamas by plane.

If the new passport regulations have caught you off guard, RushMyPassport can help. We hand-deliver your application to the US Department of State and then rush your new passport back to you, resulting in processing times as low as 24 hours.

Apply for your passport with us today!

Getting a passport is exciting. This is undoubtedly a cliche, but a new passport really does open up a whole new world of travel opportunities.  Where can your new passport take you 2010? The possibilities are almost endless, but we’ve picked out 5 of our favorite up-and coming destinations:

• Gargano, Italy: Unspoiled, uncrowded beaches? Check.  Ancient churches and historic fishing villages? Check.  Excellent food? Check! Gargano, Italy is a peninsula located on the “heel” of the boot-shaped country. Since much of the area is national parkland, it’s a great place to experience a quieter, more peaceful Italy.
• Sri Lanka: The civil war that wracked the country ended last May, making a visit to this beautiful island more appealing to tourists.  Stay at one of the attractive modern hotels that are springing up like daisies and see elephants, water buffaloes and crystal-clear beaches.
• Iceland: The country has always had a lot to offer tourists: glaciers, hot springs and winter sports, plus a vibrant nightlife in the capital of Reykjavík.  Due to the state of the country’s economy, it is now offering these things for less.
• Argentina:  Looking to take a wine tour somewhere a little more exotic than Sonoma Valley? According to the New York Times, wines from the Argentinian wine country of Patagonia have been raking in awards recently.
• Copenhagen, Denmark:  If you’re looking to make your trip abroad as green as possible, Copenhagen is an excellent choice. The New York Times notes that the city has transformed itself into an eco-friendly mecca, with free bikes for tourists and a thriving nightlife.

If you don’t have a passport yet,  see How to Apply for a New Passport for a detailed description of the application process. Remember that it takes about 6 weeks if you apply with regular processing, and at least 3 weeks if you use the government’s expedited service.

However, with RushMyPassport.com, you can get your passport much faster.  Depending on the service you choose, we can often have your new passport application processed in as little as 24 hours.

Apply for your new passport today!