That sounds counter-intuitive, but it’s true: just ask the Patton family of Ottawa, Canada. Although all four family members had valid passports (in the sense that they had not expired yet), Costa Rica refused to admit them when they arrived in the airport. Instead, they put them right back on the plane and sent them home. The reason? Costa Rica requires all visitors to have at least three months left on their passports, and three of the four family members had passports that expired before then.

The mishap was frustrating, emotionally grueling and expensive, costing them about $6,000. Unless the spotlight of publicity causes the airline and/or the travel agency that the family used to book the tickets to relent, they aren’t getting any of that money back, either. Both United Airlines and travel agency Travel by Jen are pointing the finger at each other as well as the family for not catching the mistake in time.

Wendy Patton told the Ottawa Citizen that since she sought out a travel agency for help booking the trip, she should have been informed of Costa Rica’s entry requirements:

“If I had to book the trip on my own, I would assume responsibility (for not knowing). But I’m paying someone to do something on my behalf. They should be verbally informing me.”

Fair or not fair, her family’s story serves as a cautionary tale for the rest of us: always check the expiration date on your passport against the entry requirements of your destination country so that you have enough time to apply for a passport renewal if necessary. The best way to do this is to check the Department of State’s “Country Specific Information” page for the country you are visiting, and to contact that country’s embassy to the United States to resolve any remaining questions. Costa Rica’s requirements are not unusual, and in fact many countries are even stricter, requiring that you have at least six months left on your passport.

If you do need a passport renewal, it goes without saying that you should apply as early as possible. With regular processing, it takes about six weeks to replace an expiring passport. Even if you pay the additional $60 fee for expedited service from the Department of State, you’re still looking at three weeks of processing time.

If that’s not fast enough, you can make an appointment at one of the country’s 24 regional passport agencies or use a private company like RushMyPassport. Keep in mind that expediting services are far more convenient, as there’s no need to make an appointment, wait in line or travel to a passport office that could be hundreds of miles away. Instead, we hand-deliver your application to the Department of State, cutting processing time to as little as 24 hours.

Let us expedite your passport renewal today!

Being able to track your passport application provides peace of mind while you wait for your new passport to arrive at your doorstep. The Department of State provides the ability to track applications via its website using the following steps:

• Go to the passport section of the State Department website.
• Select “Application Status” from the menu on the left side of the screen.
• Click on the “Check Application Status” link.
• Read the relevant privacy disclosures and hit “OK.”
• Look up your application using your last name (including hyphens and suffixes when appropriate), your date of birth and the last four digits of your social security number.

As long as your passport application is in the system, you should be able to see the date the passport office received it as well as the stage of the passport issuance process it is in. Once your passport has been issued and sent on its way to you, you’ll be able to see that as well.

Keep in mind that it does take at least five to seven business days to track your passport. If it’s been longer than that and your application doesn’t appear on the website, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to speak with a representative.

Though your passport application should appear in the system in about a week, allow at least six weeks for your passport to arrive in the mail. If you paid an additional $60 for expedited processing, allow three weeks instead.

To get your passport more quickly, you can make an appointment at one of the country’s 24 regional passport agency offices or use a private company like RushMyPassport.

RushMyPassport personally delivers your paperwork to the State Department for processing in as little as 24 hours. In addition to being more convenient, we also allow you to track your passport application every step of the way. No more having to wait to see where your paperwork is!

For fast, easy passport processing, contact us today!

Regular  Processing

If you apply for your passport by mail or at the post office and don’t request any sort of special handling, you can expect to get it back in around six weeks, depending on the State Department’s workload at the time. Be sure you read the application instructions carefully, as mistakes can delay your passport.

Expedited Processing

If regular processing takes too long, the Department of State does offer an expedited processing option for an additional $60 charge. If you pay the $60 and spring for overnight delivery to and from the passport office, you should have your passport in about three weeks’ time.

If that still doesn’t cut it, you can get your passport even more quickly by making an appointment at one of the country’s 24 regional passport agency offices. These offices issue emergency passports only, so in order to make an appointment you must have already booked a trip out of the country that leaves in the next 14 days.

However, if you also need to get a visa for your destination country, you have a little bit more leeway and can make an appointment within four weeks of your travel date. Once at the office, you should have your passport within 24 hours provided you brought all of the required documents.

Of course, with only 24 offices serving the entire country, visiting a regional passport agency in person is extremely inconvenient for many people. Office hours tend to be limited, so people who work during the day have to take additional time off.  Plus, depending on where you live, it could take hours to get to the nearest office, or you might even have to take a plane.

An expediting service like RushMyPassport is a worthwhile investment because you don’t have to make an appointment or travel. Just go to the nearest post office, get your documents officially “sealed,” and send them to us. We personally deliver them to the Department of State, then FedEx your passport right back to you, often in as little as 24 hours. Plus, we take you through the application process one step at a time,  so you can avoid making common mistakes that might slow down your passport.

Need to get a passport quickly? Contact us today!

Renewing Your Passport in Boston

Of course, to take advantage of these convenient international travel opportunities, you’ll need a valid passport. If yours has been gathering dust in a drawer for too long, here’s what you need to know to renew it.

The first step is figuring out whether or not you are eligible to apply for your passport renewal by mail. Take this quick quiz to see whether or not this will be an option for you:

• Is your current passport still undamaged and in your possession?
• Was your current passport issued to you after your 16th birthday?
• Was your current passport issued to you less than 15 years ago?
• Are you still using the name that your last passport was issued under, OR do you have legal documents to support a name change request?

If you answered yes to all of the following questions, you can apply for your passport renewal by mail. Here’s how:

• Fill out passport renewal form DS-82, and send it in to the address listed on the form. Also include the following items:
• Your current passport.
• One new passport photo
• If you need to change your name on your next passport, include legal documents like a marriage certificate or court order to support your request.
• A check or money order to cover the required passport fees.

If you answered “no,” do not pass go and do not fill out Form DS-82. Instead, go to one of the 7 Boston-area passport acceptance facilities, located in post offices across the city. Follow the directions in How to Apply for a New Passport.

If you apply for your passport renewal with standard processing, you should allow at least six weeks for it to arrive at your doorstep. If you paid the extra $60 for expedited processing, it’ll still be at least three weeks.

If you’ve already booked your trip and you need your passport within the next 14 days,  you can make an appointment at the Boston Passport Agency on Causeway Street. If you’d rather not go through the hassle of making an appointment and waiting in line, or you simply can’t be there between 8:30am and 4:30pm, RushMyPassport can help. We personally deliver your paperwork to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours.

Let us help you get your passport renewal quickly and easily!

Alas, in most countries the era of the “family passport” has long since passed.  Even the smallest infants now require their own documents for most international travel. Let’s take a look at the question in a little bit more depth:

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) governs travel between the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.  Within these areas, your baby may be able to travel passport-free as long as you are not flying. Here are the applicable rules:

• All air travel requires a passport, no matter how young your baby is.
• For land or sea travel, adults should have a passport, a passport card, or another WHTI-compliant ID like a NEXUS card, FAST card, SENTRI card or an enhanced driver’s license (offered in a limited number of states at this time.)
• Babies (and any other children under the age of 16) traveling by land or sea may do so with just a birth certificate.
• US citizens of any age traveling on a closed-loop cruise (one that begins and ends at the same US port) may cruise with just state-issued ID (if adults) and a birth certificate.

Outside the Western Hemisphere

If you are going outside of the Western Hemisphere, your baby needs a passport no matter what your mode of travel.

Also, when taking your baby to any foreign country, if you aren’t traveling with the other parent, you may need a signed, notarized letter granting permission for the trip. Some countries require this as a safeguard to prevent child abduction. Contact the embassy of your destination country for details.

Now that you know whether or not you need a passport for your baby, here’s  How to Get a Child Passport.

Bear in mind that your child’s new passport may take six weeks to come in if you apply with regular processing.  Pay an additional $60 for expedited processing, and you’re still looking at 3 weeks processing time. For faster service, either make an appointment at one of the nation’s 24 regional passport agencies, or use a private company like RushMyPassport. We personally deliver your child’s paperwork to the Department of State for processing in as little as 24 hours. Plus, there’s no need to make an appointment or wait in line at a passport agency with a fussy infant.

For help getting your child a passport quickly, contact us today!

This option may not be around forever- at the moment, it is part of a 90-day pilot program being conducted by the Department of State.  According to a State Department press release, “This pilot program is the Department’s signature initiative under Presidential Executive Order 13571 to simplify customer service interactions and streamline related processes, making them more efficient.”

The online application is available here. To be eligible to participate, you must already have a US passport book, valid for ten years from the date on which it was issued.  You’ll also need a digital passport photo that meets the applicable State Department requirements, and a credit card and/or a bank account so that you can pay for your passport card on the Pay.gov website.Finally, you must have an email address so that the Department of State can communicate with you about your application.

Also, you cannot apply for your passport card online if you are replacing a passport or passport card that is lost or stolen. If your name has changed since your last passport was issued, you are not allowed to apply online and must apply by mail or in person instead.

Expedited processing is not available if you apply for a passport online, so it will be about six weeks before your card arrives in the mail.

If you need a passport book, you can expedite the application by paying an additional $60 fee, though it will still take about three weeks for your document to arrive.  To get a passport book more quickly, make an appointment at one of 24 Regional Passport Agency offices or use a private company like RushMyPassport. We’ll walk your application directly to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours.

Let us help you get your US passport quickly and easily!

Unfortunately, the Department of State’s procedures do not allow you to complete the entire passport application process online. If you’re applying for a passport renewal, you’ll have to use snail mail to send the documents in. If you’re applying for a new passport, a visit to a passport office is in your future.

This may seem inconvenient, but it does guard against passport fraud. However, there are a variety of online resources available that make the passport application process easier.

Online Passport Application Forms 

Passport application forms are available online for new passport applications, passport renewals, corrections, adding pages and more. You can either print copies of the form to fill out by hand or fill them out online and print them. Either way, remember to sign  the forms by hand where requested and to use a black ink pen.

Locating Passport Offices

Some passport renewals can be handled by mail, but other passport situations require you to apply in person at a passport office.  To help you locate the nearest office,  the Department of State has a handy search page that allows you to search by zip code or by city and state.

Ordering Documents Online

If you need a copy of your birth certificate to include with your application as proof of citizenship, you can order online from Vitalchek in order to save yourself a trek to the Department of Vital Records where you were born. There are a range of shipping options available if you need your documents in a hurry.

Expedited Passports Online

Regular passport processing takes about six weeks. Expedited service is available through the State Department for an additional $60 fee, but even if you choose this option you should allow at least three weeks to receive your passport.

If you need faster passport service and you don’t want to travel to one of the country’s 24 regional passport agency locations, you can apply online with a service like RushMyPassport.com. We walk you through the paperwork one step at a time, and then hand-deliver it to the Department of State for processing in as little as 24 hours. With super-fast shipping through FedEx, you get your passport ASAP and can track your package every step of the way.

Need a passport fast? Apply online with us today!

If Your Passport is Less Than a Year Old

If your passport is less than one year old, you can get your name changed free of charge.  Simply complete passport application Form DS-5504 and mail it in to address listed on the form, along with the following documents:

• Your current, valid US passport.
• Legal evidence to back up your name change request, such as a copy of your marriage certificate or a court order referencing the change.  Send either the original document or a certified copy, not a photocopy.
• One new passport photo.
• The Department of State will correct passports less than one year old for free. However, if you need your updated passport in the next six weeks, it’s a good idea to go ahead and pay the $60 expedite fee. This will reduce the processing time to approximately three weeks.

If Your Passport Was Issued More Than a Year Ago

If your passport was issued more than one year ago, you’ll need to go ahead and renew it in order to get your name changed.  To start, fill out passport renewal Form DS-82. Send it in to the address listed on the form, along with the following documents:

• Your current, undamaged US passport.
• One new passport photo.
• Legal documentation, such as a marriage certificate or court order, that supports your request for a name change.
• A check or money order to pay the fees. A passport book alone is $110, a passport card (valid only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean) is $30, and both together are $140.

Passport applications are generally processed within six weeks, though you can pay an additional $60 expedite fee to cut that time down to three weeks. If you need the name on your passport changed more quickly than that, you have a choice of either making an appointment at one of the State Department’s 24 regional passport agency offices, or using a private company like RushMyPassport.

We take your paperwork and deliver it directly to the State Department for priority processing, often in as little as 24 hours. There’s no need to make an appointment, wait in line, or travel out of town to a passport agency. Plus, we walk you through the process, step-by-step, reducing the chance of errors that can cause delays.

For a quick passport name change with a minimum amount of hassle, contact us today!

According to the Sun, Richard Ashton decided to have the tattoo done in 2006, to commemorate a backpacking trip to the country he now calls home. The tattoo includes all of the information on the identification page of his passport, including his passport number. What possessed him to have all of that tattooed across his back in permanent ink? He explains:

“I wanted something to remember my holiday by, but also wanted something patriotic. My girlfriend at the time thought I was a bit daft, but eventually she found it hilarious. That seems to be the general reaction.”

Of course, the tattoo is basically useless for international travel. Customs and Border Protection made a point of debunking a Canadian citizen’s claim that he used a scanned copy of his passport stored on his iPad to crossd the border; there’s no way a copy stored in your skin would ever be considered legit.

That said, Mr. Ashton has been able to use his passport tattoo to withdraw money at the bank.   Apparently the teller figured that if he was willing to go through the cost and pain involved in getting the information tattooed on his back, the chances were good that it was actually his information.

Travelers are advised to travel with a printed copy of their passport in addition to the original, which makes it easier to replace a stolen or lost passport overseas. In theory, Mr. Ashton’s tattoo could serve the same purpose, making it so that he can always access his biographical information and passport number. Keep in mind, though, that your passport number changes every time you renew or replace it. Tattoos, on the other hand, are for life.

If you need to replace a lost passport, see Passport Replacement Services for detailed information on how to do that in the United States.  If you are overseas and you’ve lost your passport, see How to Replace a Lost Passport Overseas.

If you’re in the US and you need to replace a lost passport quickly for travel, you have two options: make an appointment on one of the country’s 24 regional passport agency offices or use a private passport agency like RushMyPassport. RushMyPassport hand carries your paperwork to the Department of State for processing in as little as 24 hours. Plus, by going through a private company you avoid the twin hassles of having to make an appointment and having to travel to a passport agency office.

To replace a lost passport in a hurry, contact us today!

In other words, living in Houston means living with the world at your doorstep. But to actually see it, you’ll need a valid passport. If yours has expired, no worries: this guide will help you through the process of getting a passport renewal in Houston, step by step.

Passport Renewal by Mail

Most Houstonians are eligible to apply for a passport renewal by mail.  You can replace an expired or expiring passport by mail as long as all of the following statements are true:

• Your current passport is in your possession, has never been reported lost or stolen and is not damaged.
• Your current was issued after your 16th birthday AND it was issued less than 15 years ago.
• If your name has changed since your last passport was issued, you have the necessary legal documents to support your name change request.

If you’re eligible to renew by mail, submit all of the following to the address listed on the passport renewal form:

• Your current passport
• A completed copy of passport renewal form DS-82
• One new passport photo
• A check to pay the required fees

Houston Passport Acceptance Offices

If you aren’t eligible to renew by mail, you’ll need to apply in person at one of the city’s 29 passport acceptance offices. These tend to be located in post offices and other government buildings; you can find the closest one to your home or work by visiting the Department of State’s website.

Houston Passport Agency

The standard processing time for a passport renewal application is about six weeks. If you pay an additional $60 expedite fee, you can cut streamline the process somewhat, but it will still take about three weeks to get your passport.

If you are traveling sooner than that, you can make an appointment at the Houston Passport Agency office, located in the Mickey Leland Federal Building on Smith Street. This office can issue emergency passports and passport renewals within 24 hours, but the downside is that the office is only open by appointment only and has limited operating hours between 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.

A more convenient option is to use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport. We hand-deliver your paperwork to the Department of State for processing in as little as 24 hours.  Contact us today for quick, courteous passport renewal help!