Get Your Passport Application: Passport Day is This Weekend! - Expedited Passports

Been meaning to turn in that passport application? Life does get hectic, and it’s easy to just keep putting chores like that off. However, you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to apply for a passport. It’s just a bad idea. Now, thanks to the Department of State’s annual Passport Day in the USA holiday, you don’t have to.

This event has been held for the past three years, and it gives people who don’t have a lot of time during the week a chance to submit their passport applications at a more convenient time. During Passport Day, all twenty four of the Department of State’s Regional Passport Agency offices are open on Saturday, with no appointment required. Many local passport acceptance facilities like post offices, libraries and clerks of court are open for the day, as well. Usually, Regional Passport Agency offices are only open for limited hours on weekdays, and you need an appointment to get it.

If you just got back from a summer vacation that took you out of the country, you’re probably thinking something along the lines of “Oh well, better late than never!” Why didn’t they hold Passport Day before the summer vacation rush?

As Bob Sullivan, customer service manager for National Passport Center, explained to MLive.com, it wasn’t a matter of choice:

“Our initial event was on April 9 but we rescheduled due to the possible federal government shutdown. Now is a good time because students who are studying abroad or travelers planning to go to the Olympics in London or on winter vacations can get them done.”

To find a participating office, click here to visit the Department of State’s website.

To help reduce lines and waiting times, the Department of State requests that you go online and print off the relevant forms, then fill them out ahead of time. Of course, you should also gather up all relevant documents. For more information, see:

How to Apply for a New Passport

How to Replace a Lost Passport

Passport Renewal: Cutting Through the Red Tape

Also, bear in mind that the only services available during Passport Day are regular service, which takes about six weeks, and standard expedited service, which takes two to three weeks. For faster service, you have to apply during the week at one of the Regional Passport Agency offices, and you’ll need an appointment. Or, get your passport application expedited with RushMyPassport for processing in as little as 24 hours!

There’s no denying that traveling to another country can be a life-changing event, especially when you’re young. I know I’ll never forget my art-history-themed senior trip to Europe, for example. It was an amazing and humbling experience to realize how big the world outside of America is. First, though, you need to get a passport.

A new organization, the Passport Party Project, seeks to help teenage girls (and younger tweens) get over that first obstacle by providing them with access to passport services and paying their fees. According to their website, the organization plans to secure passports for at least 100 girls over the next 18 months.

Tracey Friley, the founder of the project, explained the motivation behind it to the San Francisco Chronicle: “I hope that by girls getting their first passports, they view themselves and their place in the world in a whole new way. I hope they continue to learn and teach tolerance of other cultures both at home and abroad. I hope they see the change that is needed in the world and then consider how they might help.”

The Passport Party project held its initial party in Oakland, California in June. The girls got their passports, went bowling and competed for titles like “best passport photo.” To expand the project, they are looking for help in the form of donations and publicity. If you’d like to pitch in, you can donate here and share the link with others.

If you’re getting a passport for your teenage girl, remember to apply early. Even if everything goes smoothly, passport applications can take at least six weeks to process. Expedited passport services are available from the Department of State for an additional $60, but be aware that it can still take three weeks for the passport to arrive.

If you need your passport more quickly, you have two options: make an appointment at one of the country’s 24 passport agency offices, or use a private passport company like RushMyPassport. We’ll personally take your passport application to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours with no need to make an appointment or wait in line.

For quick, convenient passport services, contact us today!

Fall is already one of the best times of year to visit Paris. The air cool and the summer crowds have begun to die down. Even better, a series of outdoor festivals and events take place in the city and surrounding countryside starting in September. Here’s a rundown on why this month is worth making the trip:

The Techno Parade

On September 17th, thousands of electronic music lovers will gather in Paris for a 3-mile-long parade through the city. Originally organized as an act of defiance against authorities that tried to quash the burgeoning rave scene of the 90′s, the Techno Parade is now recognized by the government. This year, the focus is on introducing Parisians to this unique subculture and its signature dances. Tommy Vaudecrane, the co-president of parade organizer Technopol, told the New York Times that “Many people in France do not dance and know very little about the dance culture associated with electronic music, such as house, vogueing, rave and the Melbourne shuffle. We have an official dance that was choreographed by professional dancers, which will be performed all day during the parade by dance schools.” Peace, love, unity and respect!

Fête de la Gastronomie

The Fête de la Gastronomie is a celebration of traditional French food. This is the festival’s first year, though organizers hope to make it an annual affair. On the 23rd of September, the entire country will join in paying tribute to France’s unique culinary heritage by feasting on it. Participating restaurants can be found all over Paris, of course, as well as the surrounding countryside. For more information, see the website (though it helps if you know some French).

The Autumn Festival

The Autumn Festival is an arts and music festival that runs from September the 15th to New Year’s Eve. Whether you like modern art, music, dance or cinema, you’re sure to find something exciting at the Autumn Festival. The program is available online. (more…)

In Dartmouth, England, the Harbor Bookshop has long been an important destination for fans of Winnie the Pooh. The bookstore was once owned by the real-life Christopher Robin. Now, unfortunately, it is set to close in September, a victim of rising rental rates and a change in how people buy books these days.

Rowland Abram, who currently owns the shop with his wife, explained his reasons for closing to the BBC:

“There are various reasons. The book trade has undergone extraordinary changes in 15 years. Rent and rates have also gone up enormously, and we just can’t afford to pay them. We’ve had such fabulous staff who have helped us all these years and wonderful customers in Dartmouth but there’s nothing else we can do.”

Despite the shop’s popularity as a tourist destination, the real Christopher Robin Milne was embarrassed by all of the attention. Andrea Saunders, one of his former employees, told the BBC:

“Americans used to come – obviously they’d heard the Winnie the Pooh stories – and they were very keen to meet Christopher Robin. They used to come in and say: ‘Is Christopher Robin here today?’ and Christopher would scuttle away and say ‘I’m not in, I’m not in.’ He would hide away upstairs and we’d have to say we were sorry but he wasn’t working.”

If you want to see the bookshop, along with other Winnie the Pooh-related stops like Ashdown Forest (100 Acre Wood) near Hartfield, you’ll need to get a passport, quick. The shop is set to close its doors forever next month, though efforts are currently underway to try to save it.

Getting a passport generally takes about 6 weeks for normal processing and 3 weeks for expedited processing. To get a passport more quickly, you can either make an appointment at one of the nation’s 24 regional passport agencies or use a private expediting company like RushMyPassport. We help you get your passport, quick, by personally delivering your application to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours.

Need a passport, quick? Let us help!

If you’ve always wanted to visit Ireland, this fall would be a great time to go. Frommer’s has the scoop on a deal from Sceptre Tours that lets you see four cities in six nights for one low price: $749. The package includes airfare from New York City, Boston, Chicago or Orlando, lodging in designated hotel for six nights and a rental car so you can tool around in the Irish countryside.

On this tour, you’ll visit Kilkenny, home of Kilkenny castle; scenic Killarney; Galway, known as “Ireland’s Cultural Heart,” and of course, Dublin. Purchased separately, airfare alone would run you over $600, so it’s hard to argue with the price. The hotels included in the package all have four stars, and breakfast is included.

The price is valid for departures from November 24 to February 12, so you could take a fall break or even spend Christmas in Ireland. That gives you plenty of time to plan ahead and get a passport, which you’ll need to do before you can leave. Want to stay longer? Extra nights are available for $75 to $99 per person. For more details, check out the Sceptre Tours website.

It’s fine to go ahead and book the trip, but don’t leave it until the last minute to apply for your travel documents. It does take about six weeks to get your passport back in the mail after you apply. If you pay the $60 expedite fee, you’ll get it sooner, but you should still allow at least three weeks for it to arrive.

For faster service, consider using a private expediting company like RushMyPassport to submit your application. We offer VIP treatment during every step of the process; walking you through the paperwork and taking your application directly to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours.

Need to get a passport? We can help- contact us today!

When your passport is stolen, the last thing you’d expect the thief to do is to take the time to mail it back to you. But that’s what happened to one US tourist vacationing in England in May, according to the BBC.

The tourist, a 73-year-old woman, was waiting with her husband for a train to the airport when a young man stole her handbag, which contained a little over $8,000 worth of jewels.

The woman replaced her stolen passport at the US Embassy and continued home, only to receive her stolen passport in the mail, along with her driver’s license, about five days later.

You just have to marvel at how someone could steal a handbag, keep $8,000 worth of jewelry, and yet take the time to send back the victim’s driver’s license and passport!

Of course, when you report a stolen passport, the original passport is invalidated, but at least the woman can still look over the visa stamps in the back. However, the sentimental value of the passport pales in comparison to that of the jewelry that was taken, according to the BBC:

“The valuables had “enormous sentimental value” to the victim and losing them had caused her “a great deal of distress”, British Transport Police said.”

If you lose your passport overseas, you have to apply for a new one at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. Making a copy of the identification pages of your passport and stashing them somewhere separate from the original will expedite the replacement process. When you apply for an emergency replacement for a stolen passport overseas, the Embassy generally issues it quite quickly so as to minimize further disruptions to your travel plans.

However, be aware that if your passport is stolen in the US, you’ll need to apply in person at the nearest passport acceptance office, and it can at least 6 weeks for your replacement to arrive in the mail. You can expedite your application by paying an additional $60 expedite fee, but this only reduces the processing time to three weeks.

For the fastest possible service, you can make an appointment at the nearest regional passport agency location. However, there are only 24 of these offices serving the entire country, so you may have to travel a good distance to get to one. The more convenient option is to use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport. We personally deliver your passport application to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours.

Replace your stolen passport quickly today!

In America’s fame-obsessed culture, it’s probably not a surprise that theme cruises featuring rock stars and celebrities are the newest travel trend. And now, my Gen-X brethren, it’s time to dust off those old worn out flannels (you know you still have one or two in a closet somewhere), because the latest theme cruise was designed just for you: a chance to rock out with old school indie rock music from Weezer and Dinosaur Jr. (via Gadling).

The “Weezer Cruise,” brought to you by the same folks who gave you the Kid Rock cruise, sets sail from Miami on January 19th, heading to Cozumel, Mexico. Fans will get to see Weezer play outside on the ship’s Lido Deck as the boat sails away from Miami. They’ll also get to see Weezer play once more inside the ship’s auditorium.

Additionally, Weezer fans get to have photos taken with their idols plus the chance to pick Rivers Cuomo’s brain in person during a Q & A session.

Basically, the cruise ship is going to be one giant music festival, only with less mud and better food. With Weezer and Dinosaur Jr headlining, the lineup tends toward quirky 90′s alt-rock, but there are some newer indie bands as well. Here are the bands who have been announced so far: Sebadoh, Gene Ween (of Ween) and Dave Dreiwitz, Wavves, The Antlers, Yuck, Free Energy, Boom Bip, J Mascis (a solo acoustic show in addition to his performance with Dinosaur Jr), Lou Barlow, Keepaway, Ozma, The Nervous Wreckords, The Knocks, Sleeper Agent and Yacht Rock Revue. (more…)

The dog days of summer are here, and at least in some parts of the country, being outside past noon is downright unpleasant.  In Oklahoma City today, the high is expected to hit 104! According to Wikipedia, the ancient Romans believed that during the dog days, “the seas boiled, wine turned sour, Quinto raged in anger, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies.”

If you’re looking for an escape from summer’s punishing temperatures, your US passport might be just the ticket.  Here are some possible destinations to help you beat the heat:

Norway: The average temperature in Oslo in July is only 63.1  °F.  Nice! Plus, the country has a variety of activities available that are guaranteed to chill you out, such as glacier walking or visiting the North Cape, where the breeze that hits your face comes directly from the North Pole itself.  In Norway, summer is also the season of the famous midnight sun.

Patagonia: Located at the southern edge of South America in Argentina and Chile, the Patagonia region is the perfect destination for skiers, snowboarders and nature lovers. Since it’s in the southern hemisphere, when it’s summer here, it’s winter there. Ski resort towns like Bariloche, Argentina combine fresh powder with delicious food and a vibrant nightlife.

Iceland: Even if the middle of summer, it’s almost unheard of for the mercury in Iceland to ever rise above 60 degrees. Add in glaciers, hot springs and a variety of other activities and it’s easy to see how a visit to Iceland would make for a refreshing interlude from the scorching heat of midsummer.

If you don’t have a US passport yet or you need to get yours renewed, don’t despair.  While regular passport processing takes about six weeks, there are a number of other options that can help you get your passport more quickly. For example, you can apply for expedited processing from the Department of State, which will cut processing time down to three weeks. For even faster service, you can either make an appointment at a regional passport agency office or use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport to get your US passport application processed in as little as 24 hours.

Need a US passport, fast? Contact us today!

Studying abroad is often seen as a bit of a luxury. The cost varies depending on the program, but in many cases that’s a fair assessment. However, if you’re interested in living in the land of the midnight sun, you should know that Norway lets all students study at its public universities tuition-free- in most cases, even students from other countries. Huge hat tip to Matador Travel for publicizing this little-known but incredibly useful fact!

Of course, you’ll still have to arrange for plane tickets, a student visa, books, lodging and food. There’s also a small fee per semester that is required to take your exams but entitles you to student benefits and discounts. The good news is that if the Norwegian university you decide to study at is accredited by the US Department of Education, you can apply for financial aid to cover those expenses.

Unless they are insured on their parents’ plan, health insurance is often a struggle for college students. However, if you plan to study in Norway for a year or longer, you’ll be automatically enrolled in their national health insurance plan for students. If you’ll be studying for more than three months but less than a year, you are not automatically enrolled but can choose to enroll voluntarily.

Of course, Norwegian is not one of the languages that American teenagers typically study in high school. So, unless you want to spend some serious time studying the language and building proficiency beforehand, you’ll want to select a program that’s taught in English. There are several Bachelor’s programs available in English and even more Masters’ programs, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a course of study that fits.

To get started, look here to see what programs are available and what the admission requirements are, and read the Matador piece to get an idea of what life is like as a foreign student in Norway.

Once you’ve been accepted into the course of your choice, you’ll need to apply for a new passport as soon as possible if you don’t have a valid one. Don’t wait until the last minute: new passport applications can take up to six weeks to process. Expedited applications are available, but still take up to three weeks. For faster service, the most convenient option is to use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport, though you also have the option to make an appointment at a regional passport agency office, assuming that there is one nearby and you can take the time off work.

We hand-deliver your paperwork to the Department of State, which allows us to get your application processed in as little as 24 hours, with no need to make an appointment, travel to a passport agency or wait in line.

Need a new passport in a hurry? Let us help!

This summer, several airlines have announced exciting new international routes that bring the world just a little bit closer to your doorstep. Here’s a rundown of the some of the most interesting new options for departing the United States (via Jaunted, unless otherwise noted):

Europe

If you’re on the West Coast and need a cheap flight to Europe, Condor Airlines now offers low-cost flights from Seattle, Washington to Frankfurt, Germany.  If you live in the Southeast, Dutch Airline ArkeFly has a surprise for you, too: nonstop flights from Orlando to Amsterdam. Meanwhile, a small public charter airline called Air Plus is now offering direct flights from Chicago to Croatia- not an intuitive destination, but one that’s becoming increasing popular with budget-conscious travelers. Finally, West Coast residents craving tea and scones will no doubt appreciate British Airway’s new route from San Diego to London.

Asia

How much of your childhood did you spend trying to dig a hole to China? Live your childhood dream with Delta’s new flights from Detroit to Beijing and Atlanta to Shanghai. Or, catch a Delta plane from Salt Lake City to Tokyo. (Via Delta)

Caribbean

Want to volunteer in Haiti this summer? Continental now has flights that go directly from Newark, New Jersey to Port-au-Prince.  If you’d rather just soak in the sun, Delta is now offering flights from New York to Antigua and from Minneapolis to Montego Bay, Jamaica. (via Delta).

Mexico

American Airlines is making it easier for travelers to get to Mexico with two new daily flights from Dallas/Fort Worth to Mazatlan International Airport and Morelia International Airport.  Border violence remains a concern, so carefully research the areas you’ll be traveling in to ensure you’re well away from the hot spots.

If you feel like taking off and leaving the country for the summer, you’ll need to get a passport quick if you don’t already have one.  Regular passport processing takes about six weeks, while expedited processing via the Department of State takes about three weeks. For faster service, you’ll need to have proof of travel and either make an appointment at one of the 24 passport agency offices in the country or use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport. We personally take your application to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours.

Need a passport, quick? Let us help!