Expedited Passports

What is the Passport Denial Program, and could it keep you from getting your passport?

The Passport Denial Program was set up to prevent parents who owe child support from being able to get a passport and leave the country.  Although it doesn’t say so on the passport application form, all passport applications are checked against a list of people who owe more than $2,500 in child support.

If you owe more child support than that and you apply f9r a passport, your application will be returned along with a letter explaining why you aren’t getting your passport book.  However, the fee you paid along with your application will not be returned. The State Department keeps it-no backsies.

Don’t expect this program to go anywhere anytime soon, either. According to this article on the Fayetteville Observer website, the Passport Denial Program has proven its worth:

The Passport Denial Program has been in place since 1998 and, by the end of 2006, had collected more than $22 million in past-due child support. That figure swelled in 2007 when passports began to be required of people traveling to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

To avoid wasting $175 on a passport application that won’t be accepted, if you make child support payments and you think you might be behind, call your state child support agency to check your balance first. If your passport application does get denied for nonpayment of child support, you will have to pay everything that you owe and apply again when your child support payments are current.

Once you have your child support balance taken care of, it still takes approximately 6 weeks to get your passport if you apply with normal processing and about  3 weeks if you apply with the government’s expedited processing. If you need your passport more quickly, you have two options:

• Make an appointment at the nearest passport agency
• Use a private passport expediting company

Of the two, using an expediting company is often easier, especially if you don’t live near a passport agency office or you can’t get time off work to go when one is open.

RushMyPassport.com hand-delivers your passport application to the Department of State, cutting processing time down to as little as 24 hours. If you need a passport in a hurry, apply with us today!

The University of South Florida’s football team has a chance to compete in the International Bowl in Toronto on January 2nd. There’s just one catch-to fly into Canada, everyone needs to have a passport.

According to this article on TBO.com, the team didn’t hear that they would be going until December 6th, so everyone is having to scramble to get expedited passports. In fact, the passport acceptance facility at the Hillsborough County courthouse ended up processing 178 passport applications for the team in a single week.

The team is having their passports expedited through the Department of State, and officials from the courthouse told TBO.com that they could take up to 4 weeks to process and there was no guarantee that all the players would get their passports back in time. Chris Freet, USF assistant director of athletics, says the team is dealing with the surprise international trip as best they can and keeping their fingers crossed: “It’s not a normal situation and it’s the first time that we’re going,” he told TBO.com. “We tried our best to be as thorough as possible and we hope that nothing gets turned around in Miami.”

Circuit Court Clerk Pat Frank, who helped the team apply for the expedited passports, wished them well, saying “I just hope they get their passports and win that game. We were so happy to do it. They’re excited and nervous. When you take off the padding, they really looked liked fragile kids.”

Getting expedited passports through the Department of State can take 3-4 weeks, but there is another alternative if you need your passport sooner:  a private passport expediting company.  An expediter personally delivers your application to the Department of State, putting your application on the top of the stack for the fastest possible processing.  In fact, if you have your passports expedited through RushMyPassport.com, your application could be processed in as little as 24 hours!

At RushMyPassport, we specialize in expedited passports- apply for yours today!

Are you ready to get out of the United States for a while? If you don’t have a passport already, you’ll need to  apply for a new passport before you leave. When you apply for  a passport, knowing what you need before you apply will simplify the process for you.

Here’s how the passport application process works:

Unless you are renewing your passport, you will need to fill out your passport application form in person. (If you are renewing your passport, you may be able to renew by mail-read this post to see if you qualify.) Passport applications are accepted at passport acceptance facilities, usually places like libraries, county court clerks and post offices.  You can find the nearest one here.

Next, you’ll need to gather the required documents:

• Proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship, or an undamaged US passport).
• Proof of identity (usually a driver’s license or state-issued ID card)
• Photocopy of the ID you submitted.
• Form DS-11, an application for a new passport (it’s okay to fill this out in advance. but don’t sign it until you get to the acceptance agency and an agent gives you the go-ahead. If you are applying through RushMyPassport, we require you to fill the form out online and print it, to ensure that poor handwriting does not hold up your application.)
• 2 passport photos.

You’ll also need to pay the required fees:

• For adults, a $75 application fee plus a $25 execution fee.
• For children under 16, a $60 application fee plus a $25 execution fee.
• For expedited service, a $60.00 expediting fee plus $14.95 for overnight delivery (optional, but recommended).

Currently, it takes about 6 weeks for a normal passport application to be processed and about 3 weeks for an expedited application. If you need your passport more quickly, a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport.com is the easiest way to go. We can have your application processed in as little as 24 hours!

From the amazing travel deals department, Iceland Air is currently offering a 2-night Iceland vacation for as low as $469 per person-including both airfare (from Boston, New York or Seattle) and a 2-night stay in either the FossHotel Lind or the FossHotel Baron. Extra nights are $45 per night per person for double occupancy and $75 per night for single occupancy. Rates include a Scandinavian breakfast at the hotel.

What is a Scandinavian breakfast, anyway? According to the book “Scandinavian Feasts: Celebrating Traditions Throughout the Year,” by Beatrice Ojakangas, a typical Scandinavian breakfast buffet includes a variety of baked rolls, pastries, omelets and seasonal fruits. Yum!

Of course, you’re not going to Iceland just for the food-there’s also gorgeous rugged scenery, relaxing volcanic hot springs to soak in, and an exchange rate that’s definitely in our favor.  This package is only available from October 1st through November 25th.  You will, of course, need a passport to board the airplane, so you should get your passport application in now.

Currently, it takes at least 6 weeks to process a passport application with regular processing, and at least 3 weeks with the government’s expedited processing. That’s cutting it close-if something goes wrong with your application, you might not have time to resubmit.

Using a private passport expediting company can greatly improve the processing speed and reduce the chance of mistakes.  At RushMyPassport.com, you’ll work with a trained passport specialist and receive a detailed checklist to use when you submit your passport application, to make sure everything goes smoothly the first time around.

Iceland is waiting for you-submit your passport application today!

When you apply for a passport, you need to be able to convince the government of two things: you are who you say you are, and you are a US citizen.  Usually, this is easily accomplished by submitting proof of identity and proof of citizenship.

The following documents can be used to prove your identity:

• An old US passport in good condition.
• Naturalization certificate.
• Valid driver’s license issued at least 6 months ago.
• Government-issued ID
• Military ID

These documents can be used to prove that you are a US citizen:

• An old US passport in good condition.
• A certified birth certificate with a raised or embossed seal
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth (if you were born overseas to US citizen parents)
• A naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship.

What if you don’t have any of the above documents? The best thing to do is to obtain them before applying, but what if you can’t? In that case, you may have to use secondary documents to prove your identity and/or citizenship. Even if you have the right primary documents, if the Department of State has doubts about your application, they may request that you submit secondary documents to provide more proof. For example, people delivered by midwives along the border with Mexico have been  asked to submit secondary documentation along with their birth certificates due to concerns about midwives falsifying  birth certificates.

Secondary documents that prove US citizenship can include:

• Baptismal certificate
• Hospital birth certificate
• Census record
• Early school record
• Family bible record
• Doctor’s record of post-natal care

You may also need a Birth Affidavit form signed by someone who witnessed your birth (preferably an older blood relative).  Secondary documents that prove identity can include a combination of signature documents (such as a credit card, social security card and library card) and a signed, notarized affidavit from someone who is willing to vouch for your identity. (more…)

The passport card is a new  type of identification that is designed to be easy to carry in your wallet. It is the size and shape of a driver’s license, but is valid only for certain types of international travel. To apply for a new passport card, you will need to use one of the following procedures:

If You Already Have a US Passport:

If you already have a US passport, you may be able to apply for a new passport card using passport renewal form DS-82. To use this option, your current US passport must be undamaged and in your possession. Also, it must be less than 15 years since it was issued, and if your name has changed in the interim, you need official documentation of the name change.  Finally, in order to apply for a passport card by mail, your passport must have been issued when you were 16 or older. If you are eligible to apply by mail, fill out the form and send it in along with:

• Your passport.
• Legal proof of any name change.
• Two recent passport photos.
• A check or money order for $20.00

If you don’t have a passport already or are otherwise ineligible to apply by mail, you’ll need to do the following:

• Fill out form DS-11, Application for a New Passport, in person at a Regional Passport Acceptance Facility.
• Pay the fees: a $20 application fee and a$25 execution fee if you are over 16, and a $10 application fee and a $25 execution fee if you are under 16.
• Submit 2 passport photos.
• Submit proof of identification and proof of citizenship.

However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a US passport book. A US passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. It cannot be used to travel to any other countries, and it cannot be used for international air travel at all.

A US passport is more expensive and bulkier, but it can be used to travel anywhere, by any means. Plus, you can’t expedite a passport book-so you’ll have to wait at least 6 weeks before you get yours.

However, you can expedite a new passport. The easiest way to do this is to use a private passport expediting service. An expediting service like RushMyPassport.com can help you with all the paperwork and will hand-deliver your passport application to the Department of State. Your new passport could be on its way back to you in as little as 24 hours.

We’ve already written about how new passport laws are hurting tourism to Canada. However, it seems that our neighbors to the north are not the only ones feeling the pinch as the result of the final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

According to this story in the Arizona Republic, the new passport regulations are also hurting tourism south of the border, the icing on the cake of what was already a less-than-stellar tourism year.  The swine flu panic and a sour economy had already impacted travel, but the passport requirement is keeping out Americans who would otherwise be willing and able to travel across the border.

Agencies that provide travel services for Americans traveling to Mexico have experienced a drop in business, as have auto insurance companies that provide insurance for Americans driving across the border.  Yes, making sure you have a valid passport can be a little bit of a hassle, but there’s an incentive to get your passport application in.

As Mexico struggles to recover from the rough tourism season, hotel and resort owners are trying to cut their losses, seeking to attract customers by any means necessary-even if it means slashing prices. The article in the Arizona Republic quotes travel agent Debbie Winnie as saying that prices on many all-inclusive packages have been discounted up to half off!

To take advantage of these deals, you need to get your passport application in now. Currently, it takes at least 6 weeks from the day you apply for your new passport to arrive in the mail. If you apply with the government’s expedited processing, you could still find yourself waiting 3 weeks or longer.

Getting a passport is much faster and less of a hassle when you use a private passport expediting company. An expediting company will provide clear, easy-to-understand instructions on how to fill out your passport application and rush it directly to the US State Department for faster processing. With an expediting company, your application could be processed in as little as 24 hours.

Now is a great time to go to Mexico. Don’t miss out-get your passport application in 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 would you like to travel to Europe this year?  One of the major expenses of a European vacation is the cost of a flight across the ocean. However, would-be globetrotters are in luck- the New York Times just reported on some amazing travel deals on European flights! And by amazing, I mean round trip flights as low as $208 (from Philadelphia to Madrid) to $392 (from New York t0 Paris).  Not long ago, these prices would have been considered “deals” if they were just one-way fares!

Yes, these low ticket prices are exciting…just don’t get so excited that you forget to turn in your passport application! Getting a passport takes some time. In fact, if you apply using the regular government processing service, you can expect to wait at least 6 weeks, and possibly longer, for your passport application to be processed. If you apply using the government’s expedited service, you’ll wait at least three weeks.

However, there is an easy way to get your passport application processed quickly, so you can take advantage of these excellent travel deals. A private passport expediting company can hand-deliver your passport application and associated materials to the US Department of State. These services allow you to put your application at the top of the stack for faster processing. By using an expediting service, you can get your application processed in as little as 24 hours!

RushMyPassport.com has a range of expediting options to meet your needs and your budget. Save yourself time and stress: let us submit your passport application 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!