How do you know when it’s time to renew your passport? This may sound like a trick question. After all, isn’t the expiration date written right there next to your picture? Not so fast…just because your passport hasn’t expired yet, that doesn’t mean that you can actually use it to travel. Many countries require that […]
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You're planning your family's next big adventure abroad, and you've checked to make sure your passport is valid, or maybe you've recently had it renewed... But what about your children's passports? US Passport services are available for children. If you're traveling out of the country with your family, here is important information on child passports. If traveling outside the US, does my child need a passport? In most cases, yes. Even infants need a passport to travel outside of the…
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Businesses on both sides of the Mexican and Canadian borders are concerned about the potential impact of new passport laws for travelers crossing into Mexico and Canada by land or sea. At one time, you didn't need a passport to travel to Mexico or Canada. However, in 2007, under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the government began requiring passports for people re-entering the US from Mexico or Canada by air. Starting in June of 2009, the government will also require…
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Currently, the US government recommends that you allow at least 3 weeks to receive a passport using normal passport processing. If you pay extra for the government's expedited service and use overnight shipping for your application, in most cases you'll have your new passport within 2 weeks. However, life doesn't always give you a 2 week notice. For example, if you have relatives overseas, you might have to leave the country on short notice to deal with a family emergency.…
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Some passport requests, including renewals and name changes, can be handled through the mail. However, the government requires many passport applicants to apply in person. If any of the following conditions apply to you, you'll need to submit your passport application in person at a passport office: This is your first time applying for a US passport, or your current US passport was issued before you turned 16. You are currently under 16 years of age. Your passport has been…
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At midnight tonight, a new year will begin. New Year's Eve means parties, champagne and of course, New Year's resolutions. According to USA.gov, "taking a trip" is one of the 10 most popular New Year's resolutions. It's also a New Year's resolution you can actually enjoy keeping-unlike, say, resolving to cut out sweets. If you'd like to travel overseas, 2009 is a great time to do so. In fact, travel experts such as Genevieve Shaw Brown from Travelocity have proclaimed…
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Like driver's license pictures, passport photos are known for not showing people at their best. Once you get a new passport, you're probably going to be stuck with your passport photo for the next 10 years. If you're the type of person who will be constantly embarrassed by a bad passport photo, these tips will help you take a better picture for your new passport: Go for a "classic" look: 10 years is a long time. Today's trends are…
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Christmas is over, and New Year's Eve is almost here. Where will you be when 2008 turns into 2009? If you don't have New Year's plans yet, CheapOAir Buzz has an excellent guide to the best New Year's Eve celebrations in the world. What could be more exciting than ringing in the new year in a new place? There are incredible New Year's Eve celebrations all over the world. CheapOAir Buzz recommends watching an explosive fireworks display over the Sydney…
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Even if you aren't planning on traveling overseas, some experts recommend that you get a passport or a passport card for your children. Why should you be concerned about getting a US passport for your children if you aren't traveling out of the country? According to County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi of Union County, New Jersey, getting US passport for kids can actually protect them in case of abduction. Child abduction is every parent's worst nightmare. When filing a missing persons…
