How Do You Get a Passport in Florida? - Expedited Passports

Sunny Florida is a paradise in and of itself, but it’s also located temptingly close to other, more exotic tropical retreats. To the south, the Caribbean beckons, while Mexico is just a short plane ride away.

Without a valid passport, these destinations could remain just out of reach, though there are some exceptions, like closed-loop cruises, for which passports are not required. To determine whether or not you need a passport, see Do You Need a Passport to Go to the Caribbean? and Do You Need a Passport to Go to Mexico?

Getting a Passport in Florida

If you are applying for a passport for the first time or you need a replace an existing passport that has been lost, stolen or damaged, you are required to apply in person at one of the 262 passport acceptance facilities located in the state. These offices are usually located in post offices, libraries and other government buildings. The easiest way to find the one closest to you is to use the Department of State website.

When you apply, you’ll need to bring a new passport photo, proof of identity and proof of citizenship. Depending on your situation, other documents may be required. See the following for details:

How to Get a New Passport

Passport Replacement Services (For lost, stolen or damaged passports)

How to Get a Child Passport (For children aged 16 and younger)

Passport Renewals

In most cases, if you are simply renewing an old passport, you may do so by mail. To see if you’re eligible and for a list of the required documents, see How to Apply for a Passport Renewal. Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to planning a trip, it’s better to be safe than sorry.  So, when do you need a passport?  Most trips outside of the United States will require one, unless your itinerary fits into one of the following exceptions:

• Closed-loop cruises, cruises that begin and end at the same US port. For these cruises, a birth certificate and driver’s license will suffice, though it’s better to have a passport in case you need to fly back home for an emergency or to another port if you miss the boat.
• Land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. For these trips, you can use either a traditional passport, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (assuming you live in one of the handful of states that offer them), a NEXUS card, FAST card or a SENTRI card.
• If you are a NEXUS cardholder, you can travel by air to certain Canadian airports with only a NEXUS card. Eligible airports are listed here.

If the trip you’re planning doesn’t meet one of the qualifications listed above, you need a passport. Additionally, if you frequently travel abroad or have close friends, family and/or business contacts living abroad, you should maintain a valid passport.

When to Apply

If you know you need a passport, you should apply for one as soon as possible.  If you don’t want to pay extra for expedited processing, allow more than six weeks for new passport to arrive. If you use the Department of State’s expedited processing option, expect to wait three weeks.

If your passport is expiring in the next nine months, be aware that many countries require you to have six months of validity left on your passport to clear customs, no matter short your intended stay is. Time your renewal application accordingly.

If you are traveling in two weeks or less, you can either make an appointment at one of the 24 regional passport agency offices, or use a private company like RushMyPassport. We make it easy to get your passport delivered quickly by providing hands-on help with the application and then personally delivering it to the Department of State for processing in as little as 24 hours. Contact us for help getting a passport or a passport renewal today!

If you lost your passport, what would you do? How would you protect your personal information while ensuring that your travel plans are not interrupted?

If you’re not sure how to answer that question, the instructions below should help:

Step 1: Report the Lost Passport

Before you give up on finding your passport, stop, take a deep breath and commit to looking one more time. Try the steps outlined in Finding a Lost Passport. After you’ve reported it missing, you can’t use it to travel again even if it turns up later.

Once you’ve been forced to give up the ghost, however, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to report the loss so that nobody else will be able to use your passport for travel.

Step 2: Gather Documents

After reporting your lost passport, start gathering the documents needed to replace it. Make sure you have everything outlined below:

• Proof of identity, such as a driver’s license or other government-issued ID.
• Proof of citizenship, such as a certified copy of your birth certificate, previously issued US passport, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.
•  A copy of passport application form DS-11.
• A copy of passport application form DS-64.
• One passport photo.
• A check or money order to pay the appropriate fees.

Step 3: Apply for a New Passport in Person

Anyone who needs to replace a lost passport must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility, like a post office or a library. Bring all of the documents listed above, and remember not to sign form DS-11 until the passport agent instructs you to do so.

After you’ve submitted the paperwork, you should receive your replacement passport in the mail within six weeks if you applied for regular service and at least three weeks if you applied for expedited processing via the State Department.

For faster service, you can make an appointment at one of the country’s 24 regional passport agencies if you’re within two weeks of your travel date. Alternately, you can use a private service like RushMyPassport to get your passport application hand-delivered to the State Department, for processing within 24 hours with no need to make an appointment or travel to one of these passport agency locations.

Let RushMyPassport help you get your lost passport replaced quickly!

If you are applying for a new passport or replacing a passport that’s been lost or stolen, you are required to submit your application in person. Where do you go to do that? The answer depends on how fast you need your passport to travel.

Passport Acceptance Offices

Most people are able to submit their applications at a passport acceptance facility. This is by far the most accessible type of passport office; there are usually several acceptance facilities located in each city or town. These passport offices are usually hiding in plain sight, inside your local post office or library. Your county court clerk may also be a passport acceptance facility. Sometimes, colleges with international study programs also have these passport offices on campus.

At a passport acceptance office, you’ll meet with a passport agent to submit your application. You may also be able to get your photo taken at the office, but check first because not all acceptance offices offer this service.

The turnaround time for an application submitted at an acceptance office is about six weeks. Expedited service is available for an additional $60 charge; however, this only cuts the expected processing time down to three weeks.

For faster processing, you must chart a course for a different type of passport office.

Regional Passport Agencies

Regional passport agencies are branches of the Department of State that have the sability to issue emergency passports, generally wihin 24 hours if you have all of your documents in order. However, only people who really need an emergency passport are allowed to use them. You are eligible to make an appointent at a regional passport agency if you are planning to leave the country within the next two weeks, or you need your passport to apply for a travel visa within the next four weeks. Proof of imminent travel is required in addition to the standard documents you would present when applying for a passport.

There are a few characteristics that make regional passport agencies an inconvenient alternative. First, they are open by appointment only- you can’t just walk in. Second, there are only 24 of them serving the entire United States, so you may not have one nearby. Third, they tend to be open limited hours, with some locations making your local bank look like a 7-11 in comparison.

One easier way to get a passport in a hurry is to use a private company like RushMyPassport. We hand-deliver your application right to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours and no need to visit a passport agency office. If you are required to apply in person, just submit your paperwork to be “sealed” at one of the more numerous and accessible acceptance offices.

Let us help you get your passport quickly and easily, today!

San Francisco is an amazing place to live, but it’s also an excellent jumping-off point for international travel. In fact, San Francisco International Airport is the 10th busiest airport in the US. Flights leave every day for destinations all over the world, though the city’s West Coast location means that many of the most frequented destinations are Asian. In 2008, the airport was voted the Best International Airport in North America in the World Airports Survey.

So, if you live in San Francisco, you have a major incentive to keep your passport up-to-date. That means renewing it in a timely manner, preferably at least 9 months before it expires. Here’s how:

Passport Renewal By Mail

Most people are able to apply for passport renewal by mail. You can apply to renew your passport by mail as long as all of the following statements are true for you:

• You still have your current passport, and it hasn’t been damaged or mutilated.
• Your current passport was issued after you turned 16, and it was printed less than 15 years ago.
• Either your name has not changed since you got your last passport, or you can provide the Department of State with legal documents to back up any name change requests.

As long as you can renew by mail, all you have to do is print out a copy of passport renewal Form DS-82 and send it in along with your current passport, a check or money order for the renewal fees, one passport photo and if applicable, documents to support a name change.

If you aren’t eligible to renew by mail, you’ll need to apply in person at one of San Francisco’s 26 passport acceptance facilities, located in post offices across the state. The required forms and documents will vary; see How to Apply for a New Passport and Passport Replacement Services for details. Read the rest of this entry »

Government paperwork is not always written in the most user-friendly manner, and passport renewal forms are no exception.  Unfortunately, if you make a mistake filling it out or you don’t send in the required documentation, your new passport could be delayed. Here’s what you need to know to keep the gears of bureaucracy turning smoothly when you apply:

Passport Renewal Eligibility

Not everyone is eligible to renew their passport by mail. Read through the checklist on the first page of passport renewal form DS-82 to be sure that you are eligible for a passport renewal before you start filling it out.  You need to meet all of the following qualifications:

• Your passport has not been lost or stolen, and you can send it in with the application.
• Your passport was issued to you less than 15 years ago, and it was issued after your 16th birthday.
• You have legal paperwork (such as a marriage certificate or court order) to support a name change request, if applicable.

To clarify, your passport must also be undamaged. “Normal wear and tear” is okay, but what constitutes “normal wear and tear” is left to the discretion of the Department of State. If you have any concerns about the condition of your passport, it’s best to go ahead and apply in person using Form DS-11.

Filling Out the Form

Carefully read through the “Acts or Conditions” section on page 4 of the instructions. If any of these conditions apply to you, you must write a separate, explanatory statement and attach it to the passport renewal form. Having to attach a statement won’t necessarily bar you from getting a passport, but the Department of State will take it into account when they process your application.

Next, go through and carefully fill out the form using black ink, making sure that your writing is legible. Or, fill it out on the computer and print it. Read the rest of this entry »

How much does it cost to get a passport? There’s no doubt that one of the biggest obstacles that keeps people waiting until the last possible minute to get one is the expense, especially since prices went up in 2010.

The exact amount that you’ll pay depends on two factors: what type of passport application you’re submitting, and how quickly you need your passport. Here’s a breakdown:

New Passports

If you’ve never applied for a passport before, here’s what it will cost you:

• $135 total for a passport book ($110 application fee plus a $25 execution fee)
• $55 for a passport card ($30 application fee plus a $25 execution fee). Please note, passport cards are not valid for air travel or for travel outside of the Western Hemisphere. Please see Passports vs. Passport Cards for more information.
• $165 for a passport book and a passport card. ($140 application fee plus a $25 execution fee).
• For more information about applying for a new passport, see How to Apply for a New Passport.

Passport Renewals

If you are eligible to renew your passport by mail, you’ll benefit from not having to pay the execution fee, which goes to the passport office that accepts your application. Here’s the damage:

• $110 for a passport book.
• $30 for a passport card.
• $140 for both.

For more about applying for a passport renewal, see How to Apply for a Passport Renewal Read the rest of this entry »

For an entire decade, your passport has been one of your closest companions, accompanying you all across the world. However, all good things must come to an end one day. Passports issued after the bearer reaches the age of 16 will remain valid for ten years, though you will probably need to renew yours sooner than that. Many countries will not allow you past immigration unless your passport has at least 6 months left before it expires.

To avoid potential crises related to the “Six-month rule,” the Department of State recommends that you apply for a renewal at least nine months before the expiration date. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need to renew your passport successfully.

Renewing By Mail

One nice thing about renewing your passport versus applying for the first time is that you can often complete the whole process by mail.  You may renew your passport by mail as long as you meet all of the qualifications:

• Your current passport has not been lost, stolen or damaged.
• Your current passport was issued after your 16th birthday, and it is either still valid or has been expired for less than 5 years.
• Either your current passport was issued under the name you are currently using, OR you can provide official documentation to back up your name change request.

To renew your passport by mail, fill out passport renewal Form DS-82 and send it in with the following documents:

• Your current passport.
• 1 new passport photo.
• Payment for the renewal fee.
• If you need to change your name, a copy of the relevant marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.

If you are not eligible to renew by mail, the procedure is the same as if you were applying for the first time. See How to Apply for a New Passport for details.

Expect to wait at least six weeks for your passport renewal to be processed, unless you decided to spring for expedited processing (an additional $60 fee). If you paid the extra fee, the Department of State will generally be able to finish processing your application in about three weeks.

If you need to renew your passport more quickly, you can make an appointment at one of the State Department’s twenty-four regional passport agency offices, or save time and save on travel by using a private company like RushMyPassport. We personally rush your application to the Department of State for priority processing, often in as little as 24 hours.

Let us help you renew your passport today!

Do children need passports to travel outside the US? That’s a reasonable question. In fact, in the 19th century, the Department of State issued what were called “family passports.” A wife could be listed on her husbands passport and so could their children, allowing the entire family to travel on the same passport. Alternately, children could be listed on their mother’s passport.

However, this is not the case any more. Each US citizen needs his or her own passport to travel, even the littlest ones. So yes, in most circumstances, even a newborn child will need a separate passport to travel outside of the country. However, there are a couple of exceptions for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. These regions are covered under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), and under this law children under the age of 16 are allowed travel using a birth certificate only, provided that are traveling by land or by sea and are not flying.

Children and young adults aged 18 and under may also travel on a birth certificate alone as part of an organized group such as a school group, church groups or sports team. The children must be traveling under adult supervision, and this exception only applies to land and sea travel. If they are flying, they’ll need a passport.

Getting a Passport for Child

Due to concerns over international child abduction, you’ll need to jump through a few extra hoops to get your child a passport, providing proof of your relationship to the child and documenting that you have the other parent’s consent to apply for the passport if they are not with you.

For details on how get your child a passport, see How to Get a Child Passport.

It takes the same amount of time to get a passport application processed for a child as it would for an adult. Generally speaking, you should allow at least six weeks for processing, but always verify current processing times with the Department of State. If they have a backlog of applications, it could be longer.

For an additional $60, you can purchase expedited processing from the government. This will reduce the time you spend waiting for the passport to about three weeks. If you need to get it more quickly, you can make an appointment at one of 24 regional passport agency offices  or use a more convenient private expediting service like RushMyPassport. We offer processing in as little as 24 hours, with no need to make an appointment or travel to a passport agency office. Contact us today for fast passports for the entire family!

What do you need for a passport? That’s a good question, and one that you need to have answered before you apply. The required documents will vary depending on whether you are applying for a new passport, applying for a passport renewal, or replacing a US passport that was lost or stolen.

For a New Passport

To get a new passport, you must apply in person at a passport acceptance office. These facilities are generally found in post offices, but acceptance services may also be available in libraries and municipal buildings. You can search for the most convenient location at the Department of State’s website.

You will need to bring the following documents with you:

• Proof of identity, such as a driver’s license or state ID card.
• Proof of citizenship, which could include a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship.
• A photocopy of your ID.
• 1 passport photo
• A completed copy of passport application form DS-11. Please note that while it’s okay to fill out the form in advance, under no circumstances should you sign the form until the person taking your application instructs you to.
• An acceptable form of payment to pay the fees. Contact the acceptance office to see what they accept. For a new US passport book, you’ll need to shell out $135. Read the rest of this entry »