As of June 1st, 2009, the US government began requiring that US citizens traveling to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean carry a US passport instead of simply bringing their driver’s licenses and birth certificates. Here are the top 5 reasons to get a passport to get a passport, quick and visit Mexico this summer. passport quick
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According to the Associated Press, citizens who were denied a passport because they were delivered by midwives near the US border with Mexico may soon have an opportunity to reapply for free. Here's the background on the story: Going back to the 1960's, some midwives on the Southwestern border were convicted of fraudulently filing birth certificates for children who may have been born on the Mexican side of the border. So, the State Department began not issuing passports to people…
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US passports issued to Americans over 16 years of age are valid for 10 years. During that time, your appearance could change greatly. You could gain weight, lose weight, change your hairstyle, etc-leaving you looking like a completely different person! Should you renew a valid passport if your appearance has changed since you last had your photo taken? In most cases, it's not necessary-but it might not be a bad idea, either, especially if you're traveling to Kenya. According to…
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A Wisconsin high school student going on a school trip to Peru was not allowed to leave the US after his dog damaged his passport. The dog, a 1-year-old golden retriever named Sunshine, found the passport in a waistband the student had borrowed to keep his valuables secure in Peru. She only nibbled off the top corner, but the damage was done. Chicago airport officials let the boy fly to Miami with his class despite the chewed-up passport. However, once…
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At the beginning of this month, new passport rules went into effect for travel between the US and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Before June 1st, you could have traveled to these countries with a birth certificate and a driver's license. Now, you need a US passport or another approved document. Why were these new passport rules necessary? Why isn't it enough to be able to produce a valid driver's license or state ID card to prove your identity, and…
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Are you looking for an excuse to get away? How does a free hotel room sound? Marriott has an awesome special running right now, where you can stay for three nights and get one night free. However, the offer is only good at Marriott hotels located outside of the US and Canada. So, to take advantage of it, you'll need to have a passport. You'll also need to book your rooms (and flight) by August 21st. Fortunately, there are a …
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The Berlin Wall has been down for almost 20 years. However, Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin, is still a major tourist attraction. And, for a fee, you can still get your passport stamped just as you would have if you crossed from East Berlin to West Berlin when the wall was still up. "Souvenir" passport stamps are also available from popular tourist destinations like Machu Picchu. Plus, tiny countries like Liechtenstein and San…
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On June 1st, the final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative became law. The new laws require that Americans traveling to Canada by land or sea carry passports with them. Apparently, obtaining a passport is too much trouble for many Americans, as tour operators are reporting a shift towards domestic destinations. According to this article on Canada.com, motor coach tours to visit destinations in Canada are down by 30% over the past year. This is almost the same as…
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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. Invest in a passport case. A case will keep your passport from being bent or frayed in your pocket or purse. As…
