New Passport Rules Keep Elderly Couple From Alaskan Dream Cruise - Expedited Passports

All Larry and Gladys Williams wanted was to go on a cruise to Alaska. However, their dream was denied when they showed up  at port in Seattle without passports, according to the Dallas Morning News, Larry Williams had assumed that passports weren’t necessary for the journey, since the cruise began in Seattle and ended in Alaska.

However, the ship wasn’t sailing straight from Seattle to Alaska-there was also a stop at a Canadian port.   The final part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a new law that went into effect on June 1, 2009, requires Americans traveling from the US to Canada (or Mexico, or the Caribbean)  to carry their passports.

Since they didn’t have the appropriate documentation, the couple was sent home.  They planned to try again this year, but the US Department of State required additional documentation when Gladys wasn’t able to present an acceptable birth certificate.  She finally has a new passport now, and they plan to set sail next year!

The moral of the story? Apply for a passport as soon as possible.  As Gladys told the Dallas Morning News, “You just never know what kind of problem you may run into. I should have done this years ago.”

If you need a new passport, an expediting company like RushMyPassport.com can assist you with the application process. You’ll work with a professional passport specialist and get detailed instructions to help you navigate the application process. Plus, we’ll forward your application by hand to the Department of State, resulting in processing times as short as 24 hours.

Apply for your new passport with RushMyPassport.com today!

An elderly woman from Texas has been denied the opportunity to get a new passport to visit relatives in Mexico, according to this report from a local ABC affiliate.

The woman, Consuelo DeLeon, is 81 years and says she was born in  small town in Texas. However, her birth certificate was filed late, approximately a year after she was born. Although she sent in both her birth certificate and her baptismal certificate, the Department of State refused to issue her a new passport due her family’s delay in filing a birth certificate.

DeLeon’s situation illustrates the importance of applying early for a passport. It also illustrates why it is a good idea to apply with expedited processing, even if you think you have enough time to just pay the regular application fee.  Circumstances beyond your control, like those of Ms. DeLeon’s, could cause the State Department to deny your application or to request additional documentation.  Mistakes made in the paperwork during the application process can also cause the State Department to turn down your application. The bottom line?  The earlier you know there is a problem, the better your chance of being able to fix it before your trip.

A private passport expediting service like RushMyPassport.com can help. With an expediting service, you get personal service from a trained passport specialist and a checklist to help you avoid mistakes. Plus, you get much faster processing times-depending on the package you order, your application could be processed in as little as 24 hours!

Don’t wait-order your new passport today!

When you apply for a new passport, should you get a passport book or passport card? One family learned the difference the hard way.  Sherry Housley and her daughter Whitney  had planned to to take a mother/daughter vacation by the ocean in Cozumel, Mexico.

However, when they went to apply for new passports, the clerk steered them toward ordering one of the wallet-sized new passport cards. Apparently, neither the clerk nor the Housleys was aware of one of the crucial differences between a passport book and a passport card:  A  passport card is only good for travel by land and sea, not by plane. So, when the Housleys tried to board the plane for Mexico, they were not allowed on board and they missed their vacation.

The passport book is only type of passport that is accepted for international air travel. The passport card was really meant to be a cheaper form of identification for people who live near the border and drive across frequently, to make it easier for them to comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that requires passports for border crossings.

Unless you drive across the border frequently,  go ahead and spring for a full-fledged passport book when you apply for a new passport.  Also, make sure to allow enough time for your passport to arrive-it can take at least 6 weeks with regular service and 3 weeks for the government’s expedited service.

However, a private passport expediting company can speed this process up by personally dropping off your passport application at the Department of State. With an expediting company, depending on the package you buy, your new passport could be on its way back to you in as little as 24 hours!

Apply for your new passport today!

Centuries ago, in medieval Europe, fierce pirates known as Vikings left Norway, Denmark and Sweden in search of treasure. They gained a fearsome reputation that persists to this day, but they were also imaginative storytellers, cunning tradesmen, and politically savvy administrators. They left behind giant carved runestones, stories and mythology that has inspired fantasy novels like the Lord of the Rings, and very little else.

Right now, you can cruise through Denmark and Norway for a very reasonable price.  Check out this last-minute deal from Royal Caribbean (via Expedia): A five-night cruise  starting at just $282 per person for an inside cabin!  Coincidentally, Scandinavian Airlines is also having a sale, with round-trip fares from the US to Copenhagen starting at $500!

Of course, if you don’t have a valid passport, you’ll have to get a new one before you travel.  The cruise special runs from August 16 to August 31.  At this point, the safest way to secure a new passport in time to take advantage of the special would be to go through a private passport expediting company. When you submit your new passport application directly through the government, you’ll have to wait at least 6 weeks for regular service and at least 3 weeks for the government’s expedited service.

However, a private passport expediting company will deliver your application by hand for immediate processing, so your new passport could be on its way back to you in as little 24 hours! To see what’s required, check out this step-by-step guide to getting a new passport before you apply.

Are you ready to set sail? Order your new passport today!

So, you just got your new passport in the mail? How exciting! An adult passport is good for 10 years if cared for properly. To avoid having to apply for another passport before your renewal date, here are some tips on how to take care of your new passport and protect it from being lost, stolen or damaged.

1. Invest in a passport case. A case will keep your passport from being bent or frayed in your pocket or purse. As long as your passport stays closed, nobody should be able to read the information stored in the RFID chip in your passport. However, an RFID-proof case can provide an extra layer of protection.
2. Always store your passport in the same place when you aren’t using it. This will help keep it from getting lost.
3. When you travel, make copies of the information on your passport. Leave a copy with family at home and keep a copy in your bag. Keep the passport itself close to you, on the front side of your body and underneath your clothing, so you’ll feel it if someone tries to get a little too “friendly” with it.
4. Keep your passport dry. A little bit of moisture won’t hurt it, but if it goes through the washing machine, you’ll have to get  a new one.
5. Store it out of the reach of children and pets.

If your passport gets lost, stolen or damaged, you’ll need to fill out and application for a new passport along with the lost/stolen/damaged passport form DS-64. Expect to wait at least 6 weeks if you apply with normal processing, and at least 3 weeks if you use the government’s expediting service.

Replacing a lost, stolen or damaged passport is easier and faster when you use a private passport expediting company. An expediting company can save you time and frustration by providing you with easy instructions on how to apply for a new passport. Then, they’ll deliver your new passport application by hand to the US Department of State, resulting in processing times as quick as 24 hours.

Apply for your new passport today!

Have you ever wondered how a new passport is made? In this video from the US State Department, the State Department Under  Secretary for Management Patrick F Kennedy describes the process of making  a new passport.

The raw material used to make the outside of a passport book is actually produced overseas, because the State Department couldn’t find an American firm to manufacture the radio frequency identification (RFID)  chips that are installed in all new passports.  However, according to the video, the only step in producing a US passport that takes place overseas is manufacturing the plastic covers with their embedded RFID chips.

The covers are sent to the US, cut to the appropriate size, and the chips are formatted. Then, pages are installed in the new passport books and printed with the appropriate lettering and design. After that, the blank passport books are shipped to one of the regional passport processing facilities. Once your application is received and approved, your personal information and photo will be printed on the passport. The RFID chip is also loaded with your information, as well as with encryption and security features that keep the data from being altered or read by unauthorized parties. Then, it is sent back to you.

Currently, it’s taking at least 6 weeks to process a passport application with regular service and at least 3 weeks for expedited service from the government.  If all the government has to do to issue a new passport is to put your data on a blank passport book, why does it take so long to get one?

Simply put, the US Department of State gets a lot of passport applications. Even after your application arrives at the passport processing center, you still have to wait your turn to have it processed.  A private passport expediting company can put your application at the top of the stack, so you get a much faster turnaround time without the hassle and bother of going down to the Regional Passport Agency office yourself.  With an expediting company, your passport can be processed in as little as 24 hours!

Don’t waste time waiting-order your new 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 do you know if you should renew your old passport or simply apply for a new one? Can you renew your passport if your old passport is expired? Here’s how to know for sure:

Passport Renewal

If you meet all of the qualifications listed below, you can renew your passport instead of having to apply for a new one:

• You still have your old US passport, and it is undamaged and in good condition.
• You were past your 16th birthday when you got your old passport.
• Your passport is no more than 15 years old.
• If you’ve changed your name since your last passport was issued, you have legal documentation to support the name change.

New Passport

• If your passport has been lost or damaged, you must apply in person for a new passport.
• If you were under the age of 16 when you got your current passport, you need to apply for a new one.
• If you’re passport is more than 15 years old, you’ll need a new one.
• If you’ve changed your name and don’t have the applicable paperwork, you’ll also need to apply for a new passport.

What’s the difference between applying for a passport renewal instead of a new passport? Passport renewals can be done through the mail.  Simply fill out Passport Renewal Form DS-82 and include two identical passport photos along with a check for government fees ($75.00 plus $60.00 if you want to use the government’s expedited service).

When applying for a new passport, you have to go in person to a passport acceptance facility and fill out form DS-11, Application for a New Passport. Since you have to apply in person, you’ll pay a $25.00 execution fee in addition to the fees listed above.  Plus, you’ll need to bring proof of identity and proof of citizenship.

After you’ve submitted your application, all you have to do is have patience and wait for your passport to arrive in the mail. It can take 2 to 3 months for regular government service, and expedited service through the government takes at least 3 weeks.

If you need your passport sooner than that, a private passport expediting company can help.  For an additional fee, an expediting company will help you with your passport paperwork and deliver it by hand to the Department of State for faster processing. With an expediting company, you can have your passport processed in as little as 24 hours, although there are various processing times and price points available to meet your needs.

Don’t get stuck waiting for your passport-apply for a passport renewal or a new passport today!

Not sure where to go for your next vacation? There are so many possibilities, especially with many airlines and hotels offering rock-bottom prices on international travel.  If your new passport is burning a hole in your pocket and you’re having trouble choosing a destination, you might want to try out Joobili.com.

What is Joobili? As this post on the  Joobili blog points out, the service is different from most travel websites because it caters to people who know when they want to travel but don’t have a destination in mind.  To use Joobili, all you have to do is select the dates for your vacation, and the website comes up with a list of events and cool things to do around the world during that time period.

For example, if you select April 10th through the 19th, you’ll get a list of events including the following:

• Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film: An international film festival that showcases science fiction, fantasy and horror films. Held in Brussels, the festival also includes a Zombie Parade!
  
• The Snowbombing Festival in Mayrhofen, Austria: An enormous music and dance festival in an ice village. Festival highlights include bands, DJs, costume parties and dancing on igloos.

• The Prague Easter Markets in the Czech Republic: Shopping, intricate hand-painted Easter Eggs, lots of delicious local food and Pilsner beer. Fun for the whole family!  (more…)

Spring is in the air, and Earth Day is almost here.  Did you know that there are actually two separate Earth Day holidays?  The original Earth Day, celebrated by the United Nations,  is set on March 20 to coincide with the Spring Equinox. However, the more popular Earth Day holiday is on April 22nd.

Whenever you choose to celebrate it, Earth Day is about becoming more environmentally aware in every aspect of daily life, including travel. How can you make your next vacation a little bit easier on the environment?

Terracurve, a sustainable travel blog, has a post up that lists the finalists for the Tourism for Tomorrow sustainable travel award. This would be a great place to start, since you can’t go wrong working with any of these 12 companies to plan your next vacation.  The finalists come from around the world, offering sustainable travel everywhere from Greece to Ecuador to Nepal.

Of course, to travel to any of these destinations, you’ll need a new passport if you don’t have one already.  To get a new passport, you’ll need to go through the following steps:

• Appear in person at a passport acceptance office and fill out form DS-11, an application for a new passport.
• Present proof of identification and proof of citizenship.
• Submit 2 passport photos.
• Pay the appropriate fees.
• Wait at least 6 to 8 weeks for your new passport to arrive.

You can also submit your application for a passport through a private passport expediting company. If you’re planning to leave the country within the next month or so, this is definitely the easiest way to ensure you have your passport in time. With an expediting company, you’ll get professional instructions to help you with the application process. Plus, you’ll get your passport much more quickly.

RushMyPassport.com has a variety of different options to suit your budget and time constraints.  Apply for your new passport with us today!