Expedited Passports

These days, identity theft is a serious concern. Robbers are just as likely to steal your personal information and documents as they are to go for actual money and valuables. Of course, if your passport gets stolen, you should report it immediately-but what if the thief only gets your passport number, or a copy of your passport? In that case, they would have your passport number, but you would still have the physical passport in your possession.

According to the representative I spoke to at the National Passport Help Desk, you should be fine as long you still have your passport in your possession. There isn’t anything that can really be done with just a passport number-you need to have the actual document to do any damage.

If your passport is lost or stolen, here’s how to go about getting a new one:

• Report your passport lost or stolen by calling 1-877-487-2778.
• Apply in person for a new passport. You’ll need to fill out both a passport application and Form DS-64.
• Provide 2 new passport photos.
• Bring proof of ID and proof of citizenship
• Pay the $75 application fee along with the $25 execution fee (if you’re over 16, along with an additional $60 fee if you need your application expedited.  (more…)

When you go to get your passport photo taken,  you might be surprised when your photographer neglects to tell you to “smile and say cheese.”  That’s because the government has certain rules about what types of facial expressions are acceptable, and if you break these rules, your passport application could be rejected.  Because there are so many rules, many people are unsure whether or not it’s okay to smile for  a passport photo.

In some countries, such as Great Britain and Canada, smiling for a passport photo is strictly forbidden.  Looking serious, even downright gloomy, is encouraged. This is because these countries use facial recognition software to cut down on passport fraud.  Unfortunately, smiling can make it hard for this software to “read” your face.  For the same reason, Arkansas, Indiana, Nevada and Virginia have forbidden motorists to smile for driver’s license pictures.

However, in America, it’s still okay to smile for your passport photo. Just don’t go overboard. According to the US Department of State, “normal, un-exaggerated smiles are acceptable.” However, “unusual expressions” are forbidden. No crossing your eyes or sticking your tongue out.  Also, squinting is forbidden and you don’t want to show your teeth.  So, if you naturally have a big, toothy grin that changes the way your entire face looks, tone it down for the camera.

Before you go out for your big photo shoot, make sure to review the government’s rules for passport photos. Also, to make the passport application process go faster, consider submitting your application through a private passport expediting company. You’ll get personalized customer service from passport professionals, and since your application is delivered by hand to the US Department of State, you’ll get much quicker processing times, too. An expediting company can get your passport application processed in as little as 24 hours!

Order your passport today!

Whenever you apply for a passport, you are required to provide your social security number, which is then forwarded to the Department of the Treasury. Does that mean that the government will withhold your new passport if you owe the IRS money?

Perhaps, but it’s not likely. The IRS can keep you from getting your passport, but they only use this power in extraordinary circumstances-like if you owe so much in back taxes that the IRS is garnishing your wages, or if you’ve been charged with a criminal offense for tax evasion. For example,  actor Wesley Snipes had his passport pulled after he violated his parole while waiting to appeal his conviction for tax evasion (see this post on Don’t Mess With Taxes For Details). If he applied for a new one, he would most likely get turned down.

So, yes, if you owe the IRS you might have problems getting a new passport-but usually, if you’re in that much trouble with them, you already know you have problems.  If you have any questions about your tax status before you apply for a new passport, you should contact the IRS.

Applying for a new passport can be time-consuming and a little confusing. If you need to get a new passport quickly, consider using a private passport expediting company to submit your application. You’ll get personal service and assistance from passport professionals, as well as a much faster turnaround time than you would if you submitted your form directly to the government.

To see why we’re industry leaders in speed and customer service, let us help you with your new passport application today!

How long your passport will remain valid depends on what type of passport you’ve received.  Child passports issued to children ages 16 and under are only valid for 5 years after the date they were printed. Passports issued to adults and teens aged 16 and older are generally valid for 10 years.

However, in certain circumstances, such as an emergency trip or to replace a passport that was lost or stolen overseas, the Department of State will issue a limited passport. A limited passport is usually only valid for one year. However, once you are back in the United States, you do  have the option of converting it to a regular passport with the appropriate documents.

The new passport card is valid for the same length of time as regular passport-10 years for adults and teens aged 16 or older, and 5 years for kids aged 15 and under. However, remember that whether it’s expired or not, the passport card cannot be used for air travel. You need a passport book if you are flying to another country.

If the expiration date on your passport is approaching,  it’s a good idea to check the travel requirements of the country you are visiting before you leave. Even though a passport is still technically valid until the expiration date, many countries require that you have at least 6 months left or they won’t let you in.

The Department of State recommends renewing your passport at least 9 months before it expires. At the bare minimum, you should allow at least 2 months for your passport renewal to be processed with regular processing.

If you need your passport renewed in a hurry, your best bet is to use a private passport expediting company. A good expediting company will give you instructions on filling out the paperwork, so your application goes through the first time. They will also hand-deliver it to the US Passport Agency for you for super-fast processing, so your new passport can be on its way to you in as little as 24 hours.

Don’t wait until it’s too late…renew your passport today!

For most people, the fastest way to get a passport is to use a private passport expediting company. An expediting company is a private company that will deliver your passport directly to the US Passport Agency, putting it at the top of the stack for faster processing.  To see why an expediting company is the fastest solution, let’s compare this option with the other options available for getting a passport quickly.

First, If you apply for expedited service from the US government, you’ll still need to allow at least 3 weeks for your passport application to be processed.  This is true even if you pay for overnight delivery to and from the passport agency. An expediting company can have it processed in as little as 24 hours!

Of course, you also have the option of making an appointment at a US Regional Passport Agency to turn in your application yourself. However, consider that you will probably have to take time off work to do so, since the agencies have limited hours of operation. Also, consider the cost and the time involved in driving to the nearest regional passport agency-there are only 15 of them in the United States, so the nearest agency could be hours away from you. Depending on where you live, you might even have to take a plane to get there!

With an expediting company, all you have to do is go to a local acceptance agency (usually a library or a post office) to have your documents “sealed.” Then, you send the package to the expediting company, and they do everything else for you. There’s no appointment needed, and no waiting in line.

RushMyPassport.com is a leader in the passport expediting field for both speed and customer service.  If you need a passport quickly, don’t wait…Order your passport from us today!

If you’re planning on traveling outside the US with an expired passport, you’re out of luck.  A valid US passport is required for international travel. The only exception to this rule is if you’re traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. In that case, you’ll be able to get by with your photo ID and a birth certificate until June 1st.  After that, the rules change, and you’ll need a valid passport. For more information, see “Do I Need a Passport to Go to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean?”

If you’re traveling outside the country and you are going anywhere other than Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, you need to have a passport and it needs to be valid. In fact, many countries require you to have at least 6 months left before the expiration date on your passport.

If you try to travel with an expired passport, you probably won’t be allowed on the plane.  Even if the airline doesn’t catch that your passport is expired, you’ll certainly run into problems when you try to get your passport stamped after you land.

So, don’t risk turning your vacation into a bureaucratic nightmare. Check the expiration date on your passport before you book your trip! Ordinarily, it takes at least a couple of months to get your passport renewed in the mail. However, if you have a trip coming up in the near future and you notice that your passport is expired, don’t panic. You can get an emergency passport!

The easiest way to get an emergency passport is to use a private passport expediting company. You don’t have to make an appointment or wait in line. All you have to do is fill out the paperwork for your passport renewal, send it to the expediting company along with all the necessary supporting documents, and the expediting company will hand-deliver it to the US Department of State for faster processing. Your new passport can be on its way back to you in as little as 24 hours!

Don’t risk trying to travel on an expired passport. Renew your passport with us today!

According to statistics from the US State Department published in the Washington Post, as of 2007 only 27% of Americans had a valid passport.  That’s not very many people, but passport applications have increased in recent years as passports become necessary for more and more people. Do you need a US passport?  Here are some reasons why you might:

Travel

If you are traveling outside of the US, you probably need a passport. This is even true if you are traveling to Canada or Mexico,  where passports were not required until recently. For more on travel regulations to our nearest neighbors, see this post on passport requirements in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

Also, travel sites across the Internet feature last-minute international travel deals.  If you have the flexibility to leave at the spur of the moment, you can often travel quite cheaply.  Having a US passport on hand gives you that flexibility.

A passport is not required for direct travel to other US states or territories. However, if you are traveling to a US state or territory and your travel itinerary requires you to go through another country to get there, then you may need a passport. For example, if you travel through Canada to get to Alaska, you’ll need to follow the rules for travel to Canada.

Business

In today’s global economy, international business trips have become increasingly common. Although express passports are available for business travelers, having a passport on hand makes traveling overseas for business much easier.

Family

If you or your spouse have family overseas, the US Department of State recommends that you keep your US passport current so that you can fly out to be with them in an emergency.

Generally, you should apply for a US passport at least 2 months in advance to make sure that you have it in time for your trip. However, if you need to travel unexpectedly, RushMyPassport.com offers a convenient expediting option that makes it easy to get a passport in a hurry.

Be prepared: Expedite your US passport today!

If your spring or summer travel plans include travel to the Virgin Islands, you may be wondering if you need a passport. The answer depends primarily on your itinerary.  First, are going to the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands?

The US Virgin Islands consist of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. These islands are US territories.  If you travel directly to and from the US Virgin Islands, you do not need a US passport.

However, if you stop by any other countries in the Caribbean along the way, you may or may not need a passport. Here’s the scoop: Before June 1st, 2009, American citizens traveling to the Caribbean by sea can use either a passport or a driver’s license AND a birth certificate (or naturalization certificate) to prove their identity and citizenship when they re-enter the US. However, air travelers must have a US passport.

So, if you’re on a cruise that stops in both the US Virgin Islands and another Caribbean country, you can use your driver’s license and birth certificate. If you are on a flight that has a layover in another Caribbean country on the way to the US Virgin Islands, you need a passport-even if you never set foot outside of the airport.

After June 1st, 2009, sea travelers to other Caribbean countries will need passports, too.

The British Virgin Islands consist of 16 inhabited islands and more than 20 uninhabited islands. The major islands are Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.

The United Kingdom owns these islands.  Like other Caribbean countries, they are covered under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). So, the rules are the same as the rules described above: Before June 1st, 2009, air passengers need passports while sea passengers can use driver’s licenses and birth certificates. After June 1st, 2009 everyone needs a passport.

For more details on changing passport regulations in the Caribbean, see “Do I Need a Passport to go to the Caribbean?” (more…)

US travel regulations have changed a lot over the past few years, making questions like “Do you need a passport to go to Canada?” somewhat complicated to answer.

Right now, whether or not you need a passport to go to Canada depends on how you are traveling.  Our neighbor to the north is included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, aka the WHTI. Currently, American citizens traveling by land or sea to companies covered by the WHTI do not have to have passports. However, you will need to show a government-issued photo ID to prove your identity and a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship to prove that you are an American citizen. You do need a passport to go to Canada if you are traveling by plane.

Just when you thought you had it figured out, the rules are changing again in just a few short months. Effective June 1st, 2009, most land and sea passengers will have to have US passports to re-enter the country as well. There will be a few exceptions for certain people crossing the border by land or by sea: (more…)

US travel regulations have been changing over the past few years, so you may need a passport to go to the Caribbean even if you were able to travel without one in the past. Here are the details you need to know to  plan your Caribbean adventure, including current requirements and upcoming changes.

Right now, whether or not you need a passport to go to the Caribbean depends in part on which Caribbean country you are traveling to. There are 17 Caribbean countries that are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI):

• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Aruba
• Bahamas
• Bermuda
• British Virgin Islands (more…)