Only 30% of Americans Have a US Passport
How many people do you know who actually have a US passport? Unlike, say, a driver’s license, a passport isn’t one of those documents that everyone has.
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Top 5 Reasons to Rush Your Passport for Spring Break
I know it seems impossible, with the Midwest being pummeled by snow like it is at the moment, but spring is just around the corner. That means that it's time to start making Spring Break plans, booking rooms and buying tickets. One item to think about: Will you be staying in the US this Spring Break, or traveling outside of the country? If you have the resources, there are actually quite a few great last-minute deals on trips available at…
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Quest for a New Passport Leads Actor to a New Family
For most people, applying for a new passport is a minor inconvenience. However, for singer and actor Ben Vereen, best known for his roles as "Chicken George" in the miniseries Roots and as Mayor Ben on Zoobilee Zoo, the quest for a passport unearthed a family secret that no one had ever revealed to him: he was adopted. Vereen recently recounted his story for BlogTalkRadio.com. It started when he got invited to tour with Sammy Davis, Jr. at the age…
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Get Your Passport Application in Now to Celebrate Carnival
New Orleans is famous for the wild party that is Mardi Gras, but the rowdy, bawdy celebration that Americans are so familiar with is just one of many Carnival celebrations happening across the world. Mardi Gras is New Orleans' version of Carnival, a festival to mark the beginning of Lent that is celebrated in many countries with a Catholic heritage. "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday." The day after, called Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Lenten season, marked by…
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US Passport Regulations for Cruises Leave Many Travelers Confused
Conflicting regulations from the US Department of Homeland Security and major cruise lines have left many travelers asking "Do I need a passport to go on a cruise?" and not getting a clear answer. According to the Palm Beach Daily News, as a result, passengers end up not only confused, but stranded as well. Here's the skinny: Under Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) regulations, people traveling by boat to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean need one of the following documents:…
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New Child Passport Application Forms Will Be More Inclusive
Passport applications forms are getting a makeover in March. What's changing? So far, the major change that's been announced is changing the "mother" and "father" fields to ensure that same-sex couples and people in other non-traditional family structures can more easily apply for a child passport for their children. The current application just says "Mother" and "Father." But not every family has a mother and a father. Same-sex couples often struggled with how to fill out the forms, having to…
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Get a Passport and Save on Travel With Daily Deal Sites
"Daily deal" sites like Groupon and LivingSocial are the "next big thing." These sites allow you to purchase vouchers for products and services for deep discounts, usually 50% and often more. These sales only last for brief periods of time, usually for only one day. You may have used these sites to save money at local restaurants or to finally treat yourself to that long-overdue massage. But did you know that you can also use them to save on trips…
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Why Jermaine Jackson Can’t Renew His Passport
Poor Jermaine Jackson. He's stuck in Burkina Faso with an expired passport. Well, actually, it's difficult to pity the man-the only reason he can't get it replaced is that he owes almost $100,000 in child support. From TMZ: "Here's what we know. In May 2008, Jermaine's baby mama Alejandra got a child support order, requiring him to pay $3,000 a month. Jermaine went into arrears almost immediately and, as of last month, he owed $91,921." Apparently, in 2010 the California…
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Passport Offices To Close Due to New State Department Policies
Starting in May, the number of passport offices in your area may become fewer. As reported on local Maine news website WLBZ2.com, "The State Department will no longer allow offices that process vital records like a birth certificate or marriage license to process passports or passport cards." In Maine alone, 25 passport acceptance facilities will be forced to stop accepting passport applications as of May 1st, 2011. The new regulations are designed to make passport fraud and identity theft more…