Do You Need a Passport to Go to Niagara Falls? - Expedited Passports

Without a doubt, Niagara Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the world. The sheer amount of water surging around you is simply sublime. In fact, when Austrian composer Gustave Mahler first encountered the falls, he is said to have exclaimed, “At last, fortissimo!”

Over 28 million tourists visit the falls every year. If you’d like to be one of them, first make sure you have the travel documents you need for your desired itinerary.  Do you need a passport to go to Niagara Falls?  The Niagara River straddles the Canadian border, so the answer depends on which side of the attraction you’ll be touring.  The American Falls and Bridal Veils Falls are both on the US side of the border.  However, their bigger brother Horseshoe Falls is on the Canadian  side. There are plenty of waterfall-related activities and vantage points on both sides of the border, but the view from the Canadian side is generally considered to be the most impressive.

Obviously, if you’re going to stay in New York, you won’t need a passport. However, if you want the full Niagara Falls experience, you’ll need to cross the border into Ontario. In that case, you may need a passport.  Here’s what Niagara Falls Live has to say about the matter:

U.S. CITIZENS RETURNING TO THE U.S. AFTER VISITING NIAGARA FALLS CANADA ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A PASSPORT, PASSPORT CARD OR ENHANCED DRIVERS LICENSE AT THE IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINT. If you  are a U.S. citizen living in the U.S. and cross the border to Canada and attempt to re-enter the U.S. you will need one of the above listed forms of identification.

Until June of 2009, this wasn’t the case, and you can see from the emphatic combination of all-caps and red font that many travelers still show up unprepared.  Don’t be one of them- get a passport, a passport card or another acceptable form of ID.  Trusted traveler cards like NEXUS, FAST and SENTRI cards can also be used to cross, though they are much less common and more of a hassle to acquire.  Please note, if you are flying from the US to Canada, you’ll need a passport book, not a passport card and not one of the alternate IDs. See Do You Need a Passport to Go to Canada? for more information. (more…)

Most travel experts tell you to apply for a passport at least a couple of months before you plan to leave the country, and that’s definitely the safest way to go. However, depending on how much time and energy you’re willing to put into the endeavor, you may be able to acquire one much more quickly than that.

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!

You can apply for everything from a credit card to a driver’s license via the Internet these days. But how do you apply for a passport online?

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!

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. (more…)

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!

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. (more…)

Nobody likes having to keep track of important numbers, and we all have too many to remember: social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, bank account numbers and passport numbers.  We often get asked whether or not the passport number on a passport renewal will be the same as the passport number on the existing passport. Unfortunately, it won’t be – when you get a new passport, you get a new passport number to keep track of and you’ll need to update your records accordingly.

According to the Social Security Administration, a passport number is used to indicated which passport office the passport was issued in. By looking at a passport number, you can tell where it was issued and possibly where it was applied for. For example,  if your passport number starts with “01,” it was issued at the Washington Passport Agency. If it starts with “04″, it was issued in Miami, and so on. If it was issued at the National Passport Center in New Hampshire, it will start with a “15″,  ”20″ or “21,” depending on when it was issued. Passports that start with the number “60″ were issued with no fee to military dependents. “80″ is the prefix for “official” passports, while diplomatic passports always start with “90.”

If you had to get your passport replaced at an embassy or consulate overseas, your passport number will begin with the letter “Z” or the number “70.” Both indicate that the passport, if issued after 2002, was issued as an emergency passport and is only valid for a year.

To get your passport renewal, you should ideally apply for it at least 9 weeks in advance. Regular processing times average 6 weeks or longer, especially if the passport office is busy. If you spring for the government’s expedited processing, you’ll end up paying an additional $60 and still waiting 3 weeks or longer. For faster service, you can either make an appointment and wait in line at one of the 21 regional passport agency offices in the country, or you can engage the services of a passport expediting company like RushMyPassport. We deliver your application directly to the Department of State for processing in as little as 24 hours.

Let us help you rush your passport renewal today!

Costa Rica is an incredible country. Whether your goal is to explore the jungle or simply lounge on the beach, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. But do you need a passport to go to Costa Rica? What do US citizens need to get into the country?

According to the Department of State, you definitely need a passport to enter Costa Rica. If you don’t have one, get one before you travel. Equally important, if you have a passport already, check the expiration date. To enter Costa Rica, it’s not enough simply to have a valid passport. Your passport has to be good for at least 30 days after you arrive. If your passport expires in less than 30 days, you won’t get into the country. You’ll also need to show proof that you plan to leave: either a ticket home or a ticket to another country.

The passport requirement for Costa Rica exists even for visitors who arrive on a round-trip cruise from the United States. You will still need a passport to enter the country.

As you plan your Costa Rican adventure, make sure you allow enough time for your new passport to arrive. Currently, it’s taking at least 6 weeks for passport applications to be processed. If you spend an extra $60 for expedited processing, you’ll still be stuck waiting at least 3 weeks for your passport to arrive in the mail.

However, there is still hope if you’ve waited until the last minute or just happened to notice that your passport expires in less than 30 days from the day you plan to enter Costa Rica.  If you’re traveling in less than 14 days, you are eligible to make an appointment at a regional passport agency office. These facilities can issue passports in 24 hours or less, but there are few caveats you should be aware of.

First, there are only 21 passport agency offices serving the entire US at this time, although the Department of State plans to open more over the next year. That means you may have to travel a significant distance to get to the office. Second, these offices generally have limited hours of operation, so you’ll probably have to take off work to get there when they’re open. Depending on your employer, this might be easier said than done.

The easiest way to get your passport in time is to use a private company like RushMyPassport. We’ll meet with the Department of State on your behalf to submit your passport application, resulting in processing times as low as 24 hours.

Need a passport in a hurry? Let us help!

When you apply for a passport for the first time, you are required to appear in person to do so. Does that mean that you can’t use an expediting company to get your passport quickly?

At RushMyPassport, we get this question a lot.  It’s natural to be concerned, but the answer is reassuring: Of course you can! You’ll still need to appear in person at a passport acceptance facility, but there’s no need to wait weeks for your passport to arrive like it you would if you submitted it without our help.

Passport acceptance offices are often located in post offices or libraries, so there’s almost certain to be one in your area. You can find the nearest one by searching for your city and state on the Department of State’s website.

When you go to the acceptance facility, bring the following documents:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of citizenship
• 2 passport photos
• A check or money order to pay the required fees.
• A copy of your itinerary to show that you need your passport in a hurry.
• An “authorization letter” from the expediting company

At the acceptance facility, you’ll fill out passport application form DS-11, show the acceptance agent your ID and provide them with your proof of citizenship. Let the acceptance agent know that you are using a private expediting company, show them the authorization letter, and the agent will place your documents into a special sealed envelope that you can then send overnight to the expediting company.

This process saves you the hassle of having to make an appointment and possibly travel out of your way to an emergency passport office, while still allowing you to get your application processed in as little as 24 hours. When you consider that standard processing times at a passport acceptance office without the assistance of an expediting company are 6 weeks or longer for routine service and 3 weeks for “expedited” service, the advantage of using an expediting company is clear.

For passport help, contact us today!

You already know that it’s a bad idea to wait until the last minute to renew your passport. But how early is too early to renew?

As long as you’re over the age of 16, your passport is good for 10 years after it’s issued. There’s not really a limit on how early you can renew it, but the expense involved means that you won’t want to renew until close to the expiration date. There are, however, two situations in which you’ll need to renew early.

Name Changes

If you get married, divorced or otherwise change your name within the first year after you get your passport, you don’t need to renew. Instead, you can use Form DS-5504 to get your name changed free of charge. Just fill out the form, send it in along with 2 new passport photos (if it’s been more than 90 days since your passport was issued).

However, if you need a name change and it’s been more than one year since you received your passport, you have no choice but to renew. Follow the directions in Passport Renewal: Cutting Through the Red Tape, and you’ll get a new passport good for another 10 years. Note, however, that the fee to renew your passport has gone up to $110.

Additional Pages

You won’t need to worry about renewing your passport to get additional pages unless you travel a LOT. You can simply have pages added to your passport for a fee of $82. However, once you fill up 100 pages, you have to renew your passport if you want to continue to travel.

Otherwise, the earliest you’d want to renew your passport is about 9 months before it expires. Why so early? Many countries won’t let you in if your passport expires in 6 months or less, so renewing 9 months in advance ensures that your travel plans don’t get derailed.

Renewing your passport normally takes about 6 weeks for normal service and 3 weeks for expedited service. If you need it processed more quickly, an expediting company like RushMyPassport can have it done in as little as 24 hours, with no need to take time out of your day visiting a passport office.

Renew your passport with us today!