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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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UPDATED INFORMATION as of June 1, 2009: A passport, a passport card, a NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrollment card, or an enhanced driver's license is required to travel to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean by land or by sea. If you do not meet these circumstances you will need a passport to go on a cruise. If you are on a closed-loop cruise to any of the above destinations, one that begins and ends at the same US port, you…
