Where to Apply for a Passport in the United States?

A US passport is the most important document that is required if you want to make frequent international trips. The first and the most important thing that you should do as soon as you become a US citizen is to apply for passport. This is because only US citizens have the privilege of holding US passports.

All you need to do is complete the passport application, attach all the needed documentation for proof and submit it at the any Passport Acceptance Facility. You have the choice of getting your passport through routine or expedited service based on your travel plans.

Apply for passport in an easy way

Information regarding as to where to apply for passport is provided by the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Passport Services/Customer Service. This has designated many post offices, clerks of court, public libraries and other state, county, township, and municipal government offices with the authority to receive passport applications on its own behalf. Since there are many Passport Acceptance facilities in the US, you need to find the one that is nearest to your place of residence. Just follow these steps and you will be able find out the nearest location within a short time. 1. Log on to the US Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page, 2, Search using your zip code, state or city, 3 once you enter your search option, you will be directed to a page that has a list of all the facilities that are in your area along with details like whether it accessible for handicapped people, it has photo on-site or nearby, you can select the one that is nearest you by clicking on that specific facility's name.

For Expedited requirements

In case you have to travel within a short notice, say, within 14 days you need a passport to get a foreign visa; then you are eligible to make an appointment with any Passport Agency and request an expedited service. You may be required to furnish proof of your travel along with the itinerary at some passport agencies. The following Regional Passport Agencies do not require you to provide them with your travel plans when you apply for passport - Arkansas, Buffalo, Colorado, Detroit, El Paso, Honolulu, Minneapolis, San Diego, Seattle and Vermont.

For Emergencies - For life threatening situations or life/death emergencies that require you to travel immediately, a special service called the Will call service can be used.

The above mentioned details are applicable only if you are planning to apply for passport when you are in the US. In case you are outside the US, you need to go to the respective US Embassy or Consulate and act according to their instructions. This is because the process may vary from Embassy to Embassy. Now that you have found out the nearest location to apply for passport, completing the application process is the next step.

Passport Day of 2012 in the US

March 10, 2012 has been marked as the Passport Day in the US for this year. You may wonder as to what is so special about this day. You can apply for passport without having made a prior appointment. Just go to a Regional Passport Agency in the US on this day, which falls on a Saturday, and file in your application. You can opt for the standard routine service or go for the expedited processing on this day. So if you are still without a US passport, this is your day!

If you are interested in learning more about How to Renew Green Card, Green Card Application, Permanent Resident Card, Passport Application, US Passport Renewal, Naturalization Application, Tourist Visa and other type of US Visas, visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Direct Services at http://www.ImmigrationDirect.com.

By Al Anthony Gablinez

What To Do If You Lose Your Passport Overseas

There are few things that can ruin your international vacation quicker than losing your passport while overseas. Knowing the right procedures will help hasten the retrieval of a new passport. If you lose your passport while traveling, you will most likely have to change your itinerary, no matter how efficient the recovery system might be. Even though it will be a worrisome and frustrating situation, you need to make sure you follow these procedures.

Report your lost passport to the police

The moment you discover your passport is missing, you need to head to the nearest police station to report the lost passport. When doing that, it is important that you remember your passport number and the date of issuance. It is always a good idea to carry a piece of paper that has that information on it in a separate place in your luggage. If you think you lost your passport at the airport, the people to contact first are the airlines. If you the airlines can't find your passport, the customs personnel will contact your country's embassy in such a case.

Contact your embassy

When traveling, whether you discover you have lost your passport in the airport, or otherwise, the only people who can help you get a duplicate passport are those at the embassy. Embassies are located in every capital city. After lodging a police report, you will have to take a stamped copy of it to the embassy, so that the loss can be validated. Consulate professionals can help you with the right steps, especially if you are open about your plans and intentions of visiting the country.

Get ready for the application of the duplicate passport

Getting a duplicate passport is easier if you lose it in your home country. However, a certain readiness for going through the procedures is important. After lodging a police report, you need to take your passport references to the nearest passport office. It is always better to access the place where you sent in your application for the old passport. If you did it through an agent, this time go directly to the passport office or issuing unit. Remember to carry a copy of the police report, a photocopy of the passport, identification documents, and an adequate number of photographs of yourself.

Stay in touch with the issuing office

Until you have received a fresh passport, stay updated on the status of the renewal. Do not take it for granted that the new passport will be sanctioned without any complication. Although rarely, duplicate passports take a lot of time, and visits from the local authorities may make the process even longer.

Stay in touch with the police

By lodging a police report, you have officially asked the police to investigate the loss. You may be lucky and they find it, but it is vital that you know that no one is trying to steal your identity.

Good Neighbor Insurance represents 10 international health insurance companies and provides international health and travel insurance for every country in the world. Other products include international medical-evacuation-insurance, international term life insurance, and international disability insurance and international group health insurance. Also insurance is provided for short-term mission workers and missionary teams. Good Neighbor Insurance can also provide health insurance options for individuals returning to and/or residing in the USA.

By Kevin Delbert

5 Must Know Facts on How To Apply For a Passport for Your Newborn Baby

Looking to travel abroad with your newborn baby? A few years ago, newborn babies were permitted to travel on air with the passport of one of their parents, but now things have changed. All citizens, even a newborn baby, should have an individual passport to travel from one country to another. So if you're planning to travel with your newborn baby within two weeks from its birth, then you can apply for an expedited passport for your baby. Before applying for the passport you should have the following requirements:

Gather Documents: Applying for an expedited passport for infants is a little bit complicated compared to adults. You will need to provide a birth certificate for the child, proof of parental identification, and the Social Security numbers of the parents. Once you have applied for the passport, it will take approximately two weeks for processing and then the passport will be mailed directly to you.

Application form: Choose the appropriate form when you are applying for a passport for your infant. You might find various application forms for adults online but you need to choose the correct one for your baby. Application form DS-11 is the right application for infants. You can get it from the Acceptance Facility or Passport Agency. Fill it out and remember to sign it on behalf of your infant. If you run into any obstacles in applying for the expedited passport for your baby, you can get help from a reliable passport expediting service.

Standards for Photo: You need to take the photographs with your baby looking directly at the camera. Make sure there is a white or an off-white background. Their head size must be smaller than one inch and not larger than 1-0.375 inches. These are the standards required by Passport Agencies while submitting the application form.

Submission of application: Now you must decide where to submit this application. Since you're applying for a passport for your infant (or minor), you can submit the application at the closest passport office. In case of emergency, the application can be submitted at a regional passport agency.

Processing time: Once you've submitted the application, all you need to do is wait. Standard processing time to get a passport is more than 4 weeks. So you must request for an expedited passport if you need it quickly. For this, you can directly visit to the regional processing center or apply for your passport through a qualified expediting passport service provider so that you may get the passport for your infant within a week.

These are the few things you need to know before applying for a passport for your baby. Get started today and enjoy your air travel with your baby. While flying with baby, don't forget to buy or rent baby kits such as belts, flyebaby (baby bed), CARES and more to have safe and enjoyable travel.

The author has an immense knowledge on passport expediting services. Know more about visa processing service related info in his website.

By Ashlee Garza

10 Tips to Prevent Passport Problems

You might be required to go abroad for personal or official purposes and find the need to have a passport. Passports are the kind of thing to be handled with great care. Problems like passport rejection, delays or loss of passport can arise.

Researching how to prevent such issues can help you during this time. Here are a few useful tips that will provide additional confidence and guidance in the passport application process:

1. While applying for a new passport, make sure you apply at least four months before your departure date.

2. Choose the right application form and carefully fill it out. Each company has their own specific form, double check for any missing information or spelling mistakes. This may lead to a delay or rejection of your passport application. If you need the passport as soon as possible, consult with a passport expediting services to get fast your passport processed more quickly (even under one week in some circumstances).

3. Check whether you possess all the requirements, such as a proof of identity or birth certificate. 

Photocopies of these documents are not accepted.

4. Never forget to sign all the necessary fields in the passport application form and your check.

5. Always take two copies of your passport and photos. Give one copy to your spouse or a friend who can be easily called during an emergency situation. If it's possible, scan those things and make it accessible through the internet. This helps you a lot during emergencies abroad.

6. It's good to ask for a 48-page passport if you are a frequent flyer. This allows you to fly wherever you want without getting another passport. When your passport arrives, verify all the details to be correct and sign all the pages in the passport where your signature is required.

7. Most countries demand a passport even for entrance to places in the country. Ensure that you have taken the required documents with you wherever you go while you are abroad.

8. Once you reach the destination, keep your passport in a safe place. Always try to carry it with you. 

You can keep it in a money belt or within your coat pocket. Avoid leaving it in your baggage, backpack, car or your hotel room. Your passport will be of utmost important if you commit an honest mistake due to being unaware of the state policy. You can get out of those situations with your nation's identity, the passport.

9. If you are traveling with your family members, don't have one individual keep the entire family's passports. It is better for each person to carry their own passport.

10. If you lose your passport, immediately inform the authorities about the missing document. By keeping a passport copy and extra photos with you, they can help you get a temporary passport for your return.

Note: Even if your passport expires, it should be kept safe and secure, as it will serve as proof for your passport renewal. The above points will help you from encountering passport problems.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7525232

Must-Knows About Passport Application Forms

A passport is an essential document for traveling and it has become as primordial as the citizen's card and driver's license. It is better to file for a passport well in advance as the process usually takes about four to six weeks to complete. For those who would like to speed up the process can, however, opt for the express expedited service which can yield a passport in just 14 days. Furthermore, people who need passport immediately can go for the independent expediting facility which takes just one day!

When planning to fill up a passport application form, it is important to know which form is suitable to the applicant's requirements. The DS-11 form is for people applying for a passport for the first time, or those whose passports are more than 15 years old. Even those who were less than 16 years of age when there old passport was issued; need to fill up this passport application form as a fresh applicant. DS-11 is also required in the case when a passport is stolen or lost.

If a person needs to renew an existing passport, this can be done by simply filling out and sending the DS-82 form by mail. An in-person appearance at a passport authorization center is not required in this case. If an existing passport holder wishes to make changes in the personal information on the passport, they should use the DS-5504 form. There is also the facility of adding extra pages to the passport for frequent travelers. DS-4085 is the form meant for this purpose.

There are a few important tips to keep in mind while filling out any of the above application forms. First of all, one should write legibly and in black ink. All the information provided should be accurate and supported by appropriate verifications. In case of the DS-11 passport application form, the applicant needs to make an in-person appearance at a designated passport authorization office.

Additional documents required with the form are the proof of citizenship, birth certificate, photographs and identification proofs like driving license. The new format of the DS-11 requires the filling up of a biological questionnaire as well. This form includes details of birth, employment history, addresses of all the places where the person stayed since birth and many more other details. All these documents are validated the government office.

Authenticity meets the foremost requirement when applying for passport.

Jennie Kakkad is an inspiring writer who beholds about 5 years of content writing experience. She strives to provide articles and blogs that satisfy your desire and accomplish your purpose. Her process of delivering a credible output involves various stages like research, understanding, judgment, analysis, and creation.

For more visit Passport Application Form [http://www.passportapplicationform.net]

By Jennie Kakkad

Immigration to Norway

There are two ways to become a Norwegian citizen: through the application or notification. Persons eligible for citizenship by notification are those above 18 years and have lived in Norway for seven years. Citizens of Denmark, Sweden and Finland may notify become a Norwegian citizen, as well. 

There are no fees associated with this schema type of citizenship. To become a citizen by the application, there are many more requirements. Charges apply for Norwegian citizenship NOK 2,500, according to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration.

Age

All candidates for Norwegian citizenship must be above the age of 12. This requirement does not apply to refugees and stateless persons, or for people who ask the same time as their parents or with a relative in Norway.

Residence

If a Person want to apply for Norwegian citizenship then it must be necessary that he/she lived in Norway for at least 7 of the last 10 years on the residence permits of at least one year duration. For obtaining permanent residence permit, all potential citizens must meet the requirements, which include 03 years of continuous residence in Norway before being given a permanent residence permit. Three years before the permanent residence permit shall be composed of residence permits of at least a period of one year. The longer you can stay outside Norway shall be two months in total in one calendar year to be eligible for citizenship under the "seven years in a period of 10 years" requirement.

Background

It is also important for Immigration to Norway that People applying for citizenship  must have completed 300 hours of Norwegian language study or documentation that demonstrates sufficient skills in Norwegian or sufficient Sami. In addition, individuals must identify themselves by providing a passport from their country of origin. The passport must be valid during the immigration process. 

Finally, individuals convicted of criminal offenses or who have been forced to undergo psychiatric therapy or treatment may be rejected or put on a probationary period of citizenship in which there is a delay before full citizenship is transmitted. The length of the probationary period depends on the severity of the crime.

Author,

Julia Robert

Things to be avoided while filing for Schengen visa application

It is quite probable that if you are applying for Schengen visa for visit to any of the Schengen nations, then your application gets rejected. On an average one is forced to apply for about three times on an average before one's application gets approved. The rejection rates of the Schengen visa application are high.

The basic reason behind this rejection is that the applicants do not submit all the necessary documents. Another reason may be that you have not done your paperwork as per the standards of the embassy of Schengen country. Many a times your application gets rejected owing to very silly errors done by you.

Now if your Schengen visa gets rejected, then it may be due to any of the reasons. First reason may be that the Schengen consulate is not convinced about the validity of the documents which you have provided. Another reason may be that you are not allowed in the Schengen country as you may be believed to be as a threat to that country or its security or public. If you have got Schengen visa issued in the last six months, then also you will not be granted visa before the period of six moths get over and you will need to apply again only after that. Moreover, it has been prescribed as one of the requirements of Schengen Visa Code that you as the applicant must provide the proof of the purpose of visit to the Schengen member state. So if you are unable to furnish a satisfactory reason for which you are planning your trip, then it may result in your visa for Schengen country getting rejected. If you are not able to establish that you have sufficient funds for subsistence and for return journey, then this could also be the reason of the rejection. Your visa may also be refused on the grounds of submission of a forged or invalid passport or the passport having shorter validity than what is enlisted in the Schengen visa requirements.

A major reason behind the refusal of Schengen visa  is that you are not able to prove that you possess valid Schengen travel insurance plan covering your tour to the Schengen area. Even if you have travel insurancecover but if it has been acquired from an insurance company which is not registered or which does not have a single representative office in Europe, then your Schengen visa will not be approved. Most of the times, the applicants fail to meet up to the requirements specified by the Schengen Visa Code in relation to the travel insurance Schengen cover and, thereby face rejection. 

Hence, keep in mind all the above mentioned aspects so that in future when you apply for Schengen visa, it gets accorded.

Author,

gug

Florida Passport - Where to Apply For a Passport in Florida

American citizens that live in Florida have three options when it comes to obtaining a new U.S. passport. They can apply at a local passport application acceptance facility, a regional agency or a professional expediting service. The location you choose will depend on a few factors. Let's look closer at each option.

Florida Passport Offices

The first option, which takes the longest amount of time to process, is to apply at a Florida passport application acceptance facility. These facilities are most often located in local post offices but they can sometimes be found in public libraries or county clerk's offices.

Residents of Florida will find at least one passport office in each of the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Dade, De Soto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, Washington.

There are a few counties that do not have a passport application acceptance facility. In this case, you need to look in neighboring counties. Dade County has the largest number of passport offices with at least forty-two. The state capital has three locations. Here is the address of a couple of these.

Leon County Clerk of Circuit Court 

313 S Calhoun Street Suite 101 

Tallahassee, FL 32301

Tallahassee Main Post Office 

2800 S Adams Street 

Tallahassee, FL 32301

Routine processing takes four to six weeks. Expedited service will get your application processed in two to three weeks. If you need to get your passport faster, then you will have to choose an alternative method.

Miami Passport Agency

Another location where Florida residents can apply for a new passport is the Miami Passport Agency. This regional agency attends American citizens who need to get their travel document in two weeks or less. Regional agencies process same day passports. The address is given below.

Omni Center 

1501 Biscayne Boulevard 

Suite 210 

Miami, FL 3313

The first step to applying for expedited passport service at the Miami agency is to set up an appointment. You do this by calling 1-877-487-2778. During peak travel seasons, the line can become congested. It may take several attempts before you are able to schedule your appointment.

The regional agency is open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday except for national holidays. They are not open on weekends.

You are encouraged to arrive a little early since you have to pass through the security check. You will then be directed to the appropriate room where you will take a number and wait to be called. When your number is shown, you direct yourself to the appropriate desk and submit the application form and supporting documents to the passport agent.

If all your documents are all accepted, you will be asked to return later to receive your passport. This will very likely be the same day. Problems with your documents can delay the process. To avoid this, it is important that you verify all the requirements and follow them carefully.

Professional Passport Expediting Services

Florida residents, who must get a passport quickly but cannot personally visit the Miami agency, can still obtain a passport in a hurry by applying through a professional expediter. Expediters are registered with regional agencies for the purpose of submitting applications for American citizens who cannot do it themselves.

While there are several expediting services that operate in Miami, it is good to choose one that has offices in other locations as well. The reason is that the regional passport agencies limit the number of same day passports that each expediter can request at each agency. Expediters that operate through several agencies can submit a larger volume of same day passport applications.

Expediters have been around for decades and are a great resource when you are in a bind and run the risk of having to cancel your trip.

Author,

William

Documents Needed For an Expedited Passport

Typically, it takes 6 weeks for the US government to process a passport application and issue a new passport. If you pay an additional $60 for expedited passport service, that will cut the time down to 3 weeks. There are other, faster expedited passport options as well. However, if you need an expedited passport, it's imperative that you submit all of the appropriate documents the first time. This list shows what is required:

For Expedited Service At The Post Office 

If you don't mind waiting 3 weeks or longer for your passport, you can simply request expedited passport service when you go to the post office to apply. Here's what you will need:

• A passport application form, DS-11
  
  
• Government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license, ID card or naturalization certificate.
  
  
• A clear photocopy of your ID
  
  
• Proof of citizenship, such as a certified copy of your birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.
  
  
• Two passport photos
  
  
• Applicable fees (currently, a $75 application fee and a $25 execution fee, plus $60 for expedited service and $14.95 for overnight delivery.)
  

Make sure to write "Expedite" on the envelope.

For Expedited Service At A Regional Passport Agency Office 

If you need your passport in 14 days or less, you can make an appointment a Regional Passport Agency office by calling 1–877–487–2778.

In addition to all of the documents listed above, you will need to bring:

• A copy of your travel itinerary, showing that you will be departing within the next 14 days.
  
  
• Your appointment confirmation number
  

For Expedited Service With a Private Passport Expediting Company 

If you don't have a passport agency office nearby or you simply don't want to go through the trouble of making an appointment, you can also use a private passport expediting company. To use an expediting company, you apply as normal at the post office. But, instead of having the post office forward your paperwork to the Department of State, you have them "sealed" and send them to the expediting company instead.

When using an expediting company, you'll need all the documents listed above plus an authorization letter, which is an official letter giving the expediting company permission to apply for an expedited passport on your behalf.

Author,

Alison Kroulek

Passports Vs Passport Cards

In 2009, the US Department of State began allowing passengers to apply for a passport card, a smaller, wallet-sized version of a US passport. The passport card is about the same size as a driver's license or a credit card, so it is easy to carry. It is also cheaper than a regular passport: a new passport card costs $45 for an adult and $35 for a child, while a new passport costs $75 for an adult and $60 for a child.

However, just because a passport card costs less and is more conveniently sized than the traditional passport book, that doesn't necessarily make it the best choice. Passport cards were designed for a specific type of traveler- someone who frequently drives across either the Mexican or Canadian border. Passport cards were introduced to make it easier for people who frequently cross into Mexico or Canada to comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which went into effect in June of 2009 and requires US citizens to present a passport to get back into the US from these countries.

One important limitation of passport cards is that they are not valid for international air travel. They can only be used for land or sea travel, and only to countries included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. This is a big deal-imagine driving into Mexico or going on a Caribbean cruise, only to have an emergency and need to fly back home!

Before you apply for a passport card, consider whether or not it is the right choice for you. For most people, a regular passport book is still the best choice. A passport book is valid for travel around the world, not just to countries in the Western Hemisphere. And, it's valid for air travel, too.

Like the passport book, the passport card is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under the age of 16. You can get a discount by applying for both a new passport and a new passport book at the same time.

Author,

Alison Kroulek

Israeli Passport

Every citizen must have a passport – even a baby

New passport

You need to go to the ministry of interior with your updated picture (presence is required). You should come when it's not the holidays season and at the morning.

For an adult, the validity of the passport is 10 years from the day it was given (section 4a). If the validity of the passport is less than 10 years, you can extend it, as long as the sum of the extensions is not bigger than 10 years.

For a minor (till the age of 18), the validity of the passport is only for 5 years, and a parent presence is required. In case the parents are not married, both parents need to come.

There is a passport with 64 pages designed basically to business men who fly frequently.

Passport extension

In Israel, extending your passport doesn't require payment.

You can also extend it in the airport, but the price there is very high.

Its open 24 hours a day, not including Saturdays and holidays, and on Friday, they work till 14:30.

While you're abroad, you can extend your passport at the local embassy/consulate. In Israel, you can use the 171 postal service, and a messenger will bring you the documents for a fee.

In case the passport was stolen or lost, the renewal in Israel is valid for one year only, whereas abroad you will receive a pass certificate (for your information, some countries don't allow passing through them with it, so you'll need to check it) or any other certificate so you can continue the trip. It's your duty to inform the local police or the representatives back at your country and bring confirmations that you have lost or, bring two passport pictures, documents that you download from their website or at the consulate/embassy. You are also recommended to bring a picture of the lost/stolen passport.

Renewing lost/stolen passport costs money.

Important rule: the passport must be in valid for at least half a year from the time you leave Israel's borders. There are countries, like Turkey and the Czech Republic that require at least 3 months validity.

In case you have another passport, you are allowed to carry them both. When you arrive or leave the country, you must bring the Israeli passport, and when you arrive abroad, you can choose which passport suits you.

The guidance is conclusive, and reasonable: don't take the passport out of your sight, even for a second. At the check-in, you can see that the officer prints the first page at most places, compares it to the information in the computer, and sings the passport.

At the front desk in the hotel, for the convenience of the clerk, he demands that you leave him your passport, so he could write your information. First of all, you don't hand out the passport to someone you don't know (terrorists pay a lot of money for an Israeli passport). Second, your passport is your method of identification abroad.

 You cannot leave the passport in the reception when you register, but they can copy your passport with the following information: your first and last name, the year you were born, your nationality, and your passport's number (it takes no more than a minute). They can't copy anything else (they don't need to), and they must return it to you as soon as possible. These actions must be made in your line of sight and you need to watch if they copy it like the original. The only place it's allowed to print your passport alike is at the check in at the airport.

If you don't want to stand on the this principle, give them a copy (size 1X1 with a passport picture - laminated), and make sure you take it back. At the rest of the time, the passport must be found on you, at all time, and just in case, store it with your money, licenses, flight tickets and credit cards in a pocket's sock or in an interior pocket you sewed, attached to your belt.

Recommendation

Scan all the important documents you own (including the passport) before you fly, and send it to your private email account, just in case you might need it (it will be easy to print it from all over the world).

 Today, a biometric signature is available (reading you palm), and it saves a lot of time waiting in line for the clerk.

Author,

yair bar zohar

Do You Need a Passport to Go to Jamaica?

Jamaica is a paradise of white-sand beaches, crystal-blue water and excellent coffee. All of these features make it an attractive summer vacation choice for many Americans. However, Americans traveling to Jamaica should be sure that they understand which documents they need to carry for their trip. For details, consult this helpful guide:

If You Are Traveling by Plane

If you are traveling by plane, the only acceptable document is a US passport book. All American citizens flying to Jamaica need to carry a passport, even newborn infants. You will not be allowed to board your plane with your passport.

If You Are Traveling by Sea

Jamaica is included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which requires US citizens traveling to Jamaica by sea to present a US passport book or one of the following documents in order to return to the United States:

• A passport card

• An enhanced driver's license (EDL)-only available in certain states 

• A  NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card

Exceptions

There are a few exceptions to passport requirements for Americans traveling to and from Jamaica by sea in certain situations. For example, children under the age of 16 traveling by sea can use their birth certificates as proof of citizenship, as can children under the age of 19 if they are traveling by sea under adult supervision as part of a school group, church group or sports team.

American citizens visiting Jamaica as part of a closed-loop cruise, one that begins and ends in the same US port, can also get by with just a driver's license and a birth certificate.

However, even if you can get by with a birth certificate and a driver's license, it's best to carry a passport with you anyway. That way, if an emergency happens and you need to fly back home, you'll be covered.

Remember, it takes about 6 weeks for a passport to be issued if you apply for regular processing. If you apply for expedited passport processing, expect to wait about 3 weeks. If you need it sooner, you can either make an appointment at the nearest Regional Passport Agency office or apply for an expedited passport or passport renewal through a private expediting company.

Author,

Alison Kroulek

Renewing a Passport Versus Getting a New One

When you renew an expiring passport, you might expect to follow the same procedure that you did when you got your first passport. Fortunately, for most people, it's actually a lot easier the second time around. Here's how renewing your passport compares to getting a new one.

Renew by Mail 

The first time you got your passport, you had to go to a passport acceptance facility, perhaps a post office, a library or a local municipal office. While there, you had to fill out the application form and sign it by hand in front of the person who took your application. Then, your application was placed in an envelope and mailed to the Department of State for you.

This time, you might not have to go to the post office at all. You are eligible to apply for a passport renewal by mail as long as all of the following statements are true:

• Your current passport has not been lost, stolen or damaged.
  
  
• You were past your 16th birthday when your current passport was issued.
  
  
• Your current passport is less than 15 years old.
  
  
• If you've been married, divorced or otherwise changed your name since your last passport was issued, you can submit legal documentation to support your name change request.
  

Now, if you answered "no" to any of the questions above, you'll need to apply at a post office just like you did the first time. However, if you answered "yes" to all, you can fill out your passport renewal application in the comfort of your own home and mail it in.

Required Documents 

The first time you apply for your passport, you are required to prove both your identity and your US citizenship. So, you need a driver's license or another state-issued ID along with a copy of your birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.

However, when you renew your passport, your old passport serves as both proof of ID and proof of citizenship. All you need to send in is your current passport, 1 passport photo, the appropriate fees and a completed copy of passport renewal application form DS-82.

Fees

It's also a little bit cheaper to renew your passport than it is to apply for one. Since you don't have to apply in person, you don't have to pay the $25 acceptance fee that goes to the acceptance facility. 

Currently, it'll cost $110 to renew your passport, $140 if you'd also like a passport card and $30 for the card alone. Be aware that the passport card cannot be used for air travel or for travel anywhere other than Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.

Delays in passport application can be a real headache when you’re hoping to obtain it quickly. Here’s how you can check the status of your application.

Apply: An application should take about 4-6 weeks, or half that time if you choose to use an expedited service. However, in order to ensure that your passport arrives in time for your trip, you should always make your application early. Applications should be lodged with the form and the relevant documents and photograph at the nearest passport agency.

When to check: You should allow for at least 5-7 days before you check the status of your application.

Checking via the internet: The easiest way to check the status of your application is to go online. Log on to the website at https://passportstatus.state.gov/opss/OPSS_Status_ip.asp and fill in your relevant personal details. Do note that under the section of “Last Name”, any suffixes will have to be included, and hyphens will have to be replaced by a space. Status checking online is only available to regular passports, and anyone running status checks for all diplomatic, official or no fee passports will have to call the travel office instead.

Checking via the phone: To check your passport status over the phone, call the National Passport Information Centre at 1-877-487-2778 anytime between 8am to 10pm from Mondays to Fridays, and request to speak to an operator.

Safety: Security can be compromised if you are not careful when checking your application status. A fundamental rule would be to always shut down your browser windows after use, especially when using a public computer, or to ensure that your phone connection is secured. Make sure that you have logged on to the correct web address and dialed the right number, so as not to fall victim to one of the internet or phone frauds.

Checking the status of your application can really bring about much relief to anyone concerned about how the application process is going!

Author,

C.L. Hendricks

Steps for Making Pretend Passports for Children

Children and adults, both, enjoy collecting stamps from different countries on their passports. One can look throughout the passport to recall the places one has traveled but there are many children who might not have traveled abroad and have no idea about a passport. The use of pretend passports for children serves as a leaning tool for such children. Underlying are some tips which would help in making these passports for your children.

Computers have entered into the field of creative designing, so it is advisable to use computer design software for designing your pretend passports for children. You will need a paper of size 5-by-7-inch paper folded in half for creating a 5-by-3.5-inch passport book. The next step would be the creation of three 5-by-7-inch page for designing the cover of the passport as well as the passport pages. The pages should be adjusted so as they are of 5 inches in height and 7 inches in width.

After adjusting the pages as required for the pretend passports for children, you will be required to draw a line down the center of the page, thereby creating two 5 by 3.5-inch partitions on the page. 

Get it printed on standard size paper and cut it down to the required size. Treat the first page as the cover of the passport and work on it. Once folded, the right half of the page will be and serves as the cover of the passport. On the right half of the passport, across the top, you can write the word PASSPORT and at the bottom you can write the name of the country to which the passport belongs to, by using text.

  

Keep space in the mid portion of the page for drawing a country seal after getting the passport printed. An actual passport may be referred to. Get the cover of the passport printed for as many copies as you need. On cardstock, print the cover of the passport. Print the required number of copies as needed. The remaining pages should be designed as the middle pages for the pretend Passports for Children. You can also place a digital picture of the child at the bottom left corner.

The last page should be created as usually with the computer as the Visas should be printed on the top of the page. Six copies of the page should be extracted for each child. The printed pages should be cut down to 5-by-7 inches. Arrange all the pages on top of one another keeping the cover at the bottom. The page bearing the picture should be on top of the cover. After folding the pages, staple twice along the line which has been created to pages into two equal haves.

Author,

Johnbenjamin

As the passport is such an integral part of travelling the world I thought I would tell the history of the earliest passport from England in 1414 AD.

In England, the earliest surviving reference to a "safe conduct" document appears during the reign of Henry V, in an Act of Parliament dated 1414. At that time, documents like these could be issued by the king to anyone, whether they were English or not. Foreign nationals even got theirs free of charge, while English subjects had to pay. Needless to say, the monarch did not - and still does not - need a safe conduct document.

From 1540, the granting of travelling papers became the business of the Privy Council. By this point the term "passport" was being used, although whether it originated with the idea of people passing through maritime ports or through the gates in city walls ("portes" in French) remains a matter for debate. A passport from this period, issued on June 18 1641 and signed by Charles I, still exists. 

From 1794, the office of the secretary of state took control of issuing passports, a function that the Home Office retains today. Records remain of every British passport granted from this time, although they continued to be available to foreign nationals and were written in French until 1858, when the passport first acquired its role as a British identity document. Nevertheless, passports were not generally required for international travel until the first world war.

It was in the early 20th century that passports as we would recognise them today began to be used. The first modern British passport, the product of the British Nationality and Status Aliens Act 1914, consisted of a single page, folded into eight and held together with a cardboard cover. It was valid for two years and, as well as a photograph and signature, featured a personal description, including details such as "shape of face", "complexion" and "features". The entry on this last category might read something like: "Forehead: broad. Nose: large. Eyes: small." Remarkably, some travellers claimed to find this dehumanising. Following an agreement among the League of Nations to standardise passports, the famous "old blue" was issued in 1920. Apart from a few adjustments to its duration and security features, the old blue remained a steady symbol of the touring Briton until it gradually began to be replaced by the burgundy-coloured European version in 1988.

The passports of other countries are, on the whole, remarkably similar to Britain's, although some do have their quirks. The new Nicaraguan passport, for instance, boasts 89 separate security features, including "bi dimensional bar codes", holograms and watermarks, and is reputed to be one of the least forgeable documents in the world. The Israeli passport, through no flaw in its design, must be one of the most useless, as it is not accepted by 23 different Muslim countries, nor by Cuba or North Korea. The Vatican, incidentally, has no immigration controls, but it does issue passports. The Pope, among his other honours, always carries "Passport No 1".

The passports of the future will feature embedded microchips and biometric data, such as photographs, fingerprints and iris patterns. Malaysia was the first country to introduce this technology, and Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, the UK, the US, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and Poland, among others, have recently followed.

English Passport History Timeline

Date

Event

1414

A reference is made to 'Safe Conducts' (the earliest passports) in an Act of Parliament during the reign of King Henry V.

1450

The Privy Council Register begins, leaving us a record of Privy Council business. According to the Register, this includes granting passports.

1641

A passport from this date still exists. It was issued on 18 June and signed by King Charles I.

1644 -1649

References in the Commons Journal show that both the House of Commons and the House of Lords grants passes to foreign and British subjects during these years.

1772

Until this date, passports were written in Latin or English. From this date onwards they are written in French (but see 1858).

1794

From this date, all passports are issued by the Secretary of State and their issue is recorded. (Before this date some passports were issued and signed by the king or queen.)

1858

From this date, passports are restricted to United Kingdom nationals. (Before this date a 'passport' could be issued to a person of any nationality as a promise of 'safe conduct' from the King or Queen.) Passports start to be written in English again from this date, having been written in French since 1772.

1914

Start of the First World War. By this point, British passports are printed on paper and contain a photograph of the passport holder. The British Nationality and Status Aliens Act is passed. Around the world, countries start issuing passports as a way of distinguishing their citizens from others they think of as 'foreign nationals'.

1915

The first modern UK passport is issued. It is a folded one-page document valid for two years.

1918

End of the First World War.

1920

The League of Nations International Conference on Passports agrees on a new book format for passports.

1954

UK passports no longer show the name of the Secretary of State.

1961

The British Visitor's passport is introduced. It is available from Crown Post Offices and can be used for visiting western Europe.

1968

The first 10-year UK passports are issued.

1972

Passports are changed slightly, for example, the paper used now has a special watermark for security.

1973

A 94-page passport is introduced for frequent travellers.

1975

Passport photographs are now laminated for security - it is harder to change the photograph.

1981

An overprint is added to the laminate to further increase security.

1984

Occupation and country of residence details are no longer included on passports.

1988

'Family' or 'joint' passports are no longer issued.

The first burgundy-coloured machine-readable UK passports are issued. A common format is introduced for European Community member states' passports.

1995

The British Visitor's passport is discontinued.

1997

The first UK passports with references to the European Union are issued.

1998

New security measures include the use of a digital facial image rather than a laminated photograph and intaglio or raised printing on the inside on the front and back covers is introduced. Children under 16 can no longer be included on new adult passports but must have a separate child passport.

2006

26 October: Passports featuring electronic chip and antenna introduced.

2010

October: New passport design includes strengthened security features and iconic images from across the nation.

Please visit my Funny Animal Art Prints Collection @ http://www.fabprints.com

My other website is called Directory of British Icons: http://fabprints.webs.com

The Chinese call Britain 'The Island of Hero's' which I think sums up what we British are all about. We British are inquisitive and competitive and are always looking over the horizon to the next adventure and discovery. 

Copyright © 2010 Paul Hussey. All Rights Reserved.

Author,

Paul hussey

How Long Does It Take To Get A Passport?

When you apply for a passport, it is important that you do it as far in advance as possible. After all, you don't want to still be waiting on it to show up in the mail when it's time to leave, do you?

Waiting until the last minute to submit your passport application can greatly increase your stress level, and if you don't have it when you need to leave, you could end up losing hundreds of dollars in fees for having to change your flight or rebook your hotel.

The Department of State lists its current passport processing times on its web site. You can check them here. Usually, it takes about 6 weeks to process an application for a passport if you request regular processing. The government's expedited processing option costs an additional $60 and takes about 3 weeks, door-to-door, assuming you have the application overnighted to the passport processing facility and that you also include an additional $14.96 for overnight delivery from the facility to your house. However, you should double-check the Department of State's web site, as passport processing times get longer during periods of increased demand.

 

But what do you do if 3 weeks won't cut it? If you are leaving in 2 weeks or less, you can make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency office. These offices can issue same day passports to travelers who have an itinerary showing that they will be leaving the country in the next 14 days.

Unfortunately, for many people this is not a viable option. There are only 18 of these offices located in major cities across the country, and they tend to have limited office hours, similar to those of a bank. So, if you work during the day, you will have to get additional time off. Depending on where you live, you may have to drive for hours or even take a plane to reach a passport office that can issue same day passports.

So, for many people, it is easier and worth the extra expense to use a private passport expediting company. An expediting company takes your passport application and delivers it to the US Department of State for immediate processing, and then sends back to you as quickly as possible.

Author,

Alison Kroulek

Getting an Emergency Passport in Miami

If you need an emergency passport and you happen to live in or near Miami, you're in luck. Miami is one of only 21 cities in the United States that has an emergency passport office. At the passport office, you can get a passport issued within 24 hours as long as you apply in person with all of the documents needed to process your passport application.

The passport office is located in the Omni Center, at 1501 Biscayne Boulevard in Suite 210. It is open from 8:00am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday. Since this is a regional office of the National Passport Agency, it is closed for all Federal holidays.

To get an emergency passport from the Regional Passport Agency office in Miami, you need to have reservations to leave the country within the next 14 days. You'll also need to make an appointment, as they do not accept walk-ins. To make an appointment, call 1-877-487-2778. See Same Day Passport Office Opens in Miami for more details.

Make sure to bring all of the required paperwork and 2 passport photos to the appointment. If you're applying for a new passport, that means you'll need proof of identity, such as a driver's license or other state-issued ID, and proof of citizenship, such as a certified copy of your birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.

If you are applying for an emergency passport renewal, you can use your old passport (as long as it's been expired for less than 5 years) as proof of identity and proof of citizenship. However, if you've changed your name since it was issued, you must bring legal documents supporting the name change.

You'll also need either your appointment confirmation number or Social Security card to get in, as well as a copy of your itinerary to prove that you are traveling within the allowed time period.

Make sure to bring an accepted method of payment for the passport fees. The Miami office takes credit cards, debit cards, cash and check.

Be on time for your appointment-no more than 15 minutes early or 15 minutes late. And remember, this is a federal building, so weapons of any sort are not permitted!

Author,

Alison Kroulek

How to Fill Out a Child's Passport Application

Your children rely on you to do many things for them, and filling out a passport application is one of them. Passport application forms are written for adult applicants, so it can be a little confusing. There are also additional documents required when applying on behalf of a child.

Here's what you need to know about filling out the application form on behalf of your child:

• Use Form DS-11 when applying on behalf of a child under the age of 16, even if he or she has a previous passport.
  
  
• Remember that the form is written for adult applicants. Answer each question as if you were your child. The form asks for the applicant's name twice- both times, you should print your child's name instead of your own.
  
  
• Sign the form on behalf of your child, but don't do so until you've arrived at the passport office and the agent helping you with your application has instructed you to do so. After you sign your name, print "Mother" or "Father" as applicable.
  

Documents Required 

The other tricky part of completing a child's passport application is gathering all of the necessary documents. The document requirements for child passports are more intensive than those for adult passports, mainly because you not only have to prove that your child is a citizen, but also that you are authorized to apply for a passport on his or her behalf. Here's what you'll need:

• Government-issued photo ID for you, such as a driver's license or a state ID card. You'll need both the original to take to the passport office and clean photocopy to send to Passport Services.
  
  
• Proof of your relationship to the child, such as a birth certificate, adoption decree or court order granting custody.
  
  
• If both parents are unable to be at the passport office with the child, you'll also need proof that the other parent consents to the child getting a passport. Have the other parent fill out a copy of Form DS-3053 and get it notarized, then bring that with you to the passport office.
  
  
• If you have sole legal custody of the child in question, you don't need the other parent's permission but you do need to bring one of the following when you go to submit the passport application: a birth certificate for the child with only your name on it, an adoption decree with only your name on it, a court order awarding sole custody of the child to you or officially permitting international travel, a copy of the other parent's death certificate or legal paperwork showing that the other parent has been declared incompetent.
  
  
• One passport photo.
  

At the passport office, you'll submit the paperwork, pay the fees, and if all goes well you'll have a passport for your child in about six weeks, or three weeks if you expedited the application.

Author,

Alison Kroulek

Child Passport Requirements: Know Before You Go

Even the youngest American children are required to have passports to travel outside of the country. The procedure for getting a child passport (for a child under 16 years of age) is different than the procedure for getting a passport for an adult, and additional documentation is required.

Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Get pictures taken. You will need two passport photos of the child's face. If your child is still an infant, it's a good idea to go to a photographer who has experience working with babies to make sure you get a good enough shot.

Step 2: Gather your documents. In addition to passport photos, you need the following:

• Passport application form DS-11. It's okay to fill the form out ahead of time to shorten the amount of time spent in a passport office with a potentially fussy child, but don't sign it until you go in to apply and the acceptance agent tells you to.
•  
• Proof of the child's citizenship, such as a previously issued passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship. 
•  
• Proof of your identity, such as a driver's license or other state-issued photo ID. Bring both the original and a clear photocopy. 
•  
• Proof of your relationship to the child, such as a birth certificate, adoption decree or court order naming you as the child's guardian.

Step 3: Go to the passport office.

You must apply for a child passport in person at a Regional Passport Agency office or a passport acceptance facility (like a post office that accepts passport applications.) To help prevent abduction, both parents are required to appear with the child for the passport to be issued.

 

If both parents can't make it, you will need a notarized statement of consent from the second parent unless you have sole legal custody of the child. If you do have sole custody, simply bring evidence of that fact. Evidence of sole custody can include a copy of the child's birth certificate or adoption decree with only your name on it; a court order granting sole custody to you, a court order specifically giving you the right to travel with the child, a court order declaring the other parent incompetent, or a copy of the other parent's death certificate if they are no longer living.

If you can't get any of the above the documents, you can submit a copy of form DS-053 stating why the other parent's consent cannot be obtained. These are examined on a case-by-case basis.

Step 4: Pay the fees and wait.

Passport fees change periodically to reflect rising costs- you can get the most current fee information at the US Department of State's web site. After that, all you have to do is wait for your child's passport to arrive in the mail. Usually, this takes about 6 weeks for regular processing and 3 weeks for expedited processing.

Author,

Alison Kroulek

Applying for a Child's Passport

Any parent or guardian can be forgiven for being a bit confused, and a bit nervous, when it comes to applying for a child's passport. So here are some of the most common questions answered.

What age can my child have a passport?

A child can have a passport from birth. If you intend to travel with your children they must have their own valid passport. So whether your child is one month old, five years or 15 they must have their own passport. Laws changed in 1998, when children under 16 were included on their parent's passport, in line with International Law and child abduction prevention.

How much is a UK child's passport?

The cost of your child's first passport is £49, this is for the standard service and takes approximately three weeks. If you want to fast-track the service, which takes a week, then it will cost £96.50.

How long will it take to get my child's passport back?

The IPS, the Government Department who issue passports, states that their standard service will take approximately three weeks – this is if the passport form and photograph are correct. The fast-track service costs more but you will get your passport back in one week, assuming your paperwork and photo are correct.

The Post Office offers a ‘Check & Send' Service which takes two weeks. There is an additional charge for this but the Post Office Clerk will check your paper work and photo is correct, thus avoiding any delays once the IPS has received it.

Tracking your child's passport progress

You can track the progress of your passport application by going online, or calling 0300 222 0000, and quoting the unique bar code number on the passport application form.

How long is a child passport valid for?

A child's passport – a child being deemed as 15 and under – will be valid for 5 years.

What documentation do I need to apply for my child's passport?

For a child born or adopted in the UK you will need to send with your child's application form their birth or adoption certificate – the original, not a photocopy. You will also need to include one of the parent's current passport numbers – there is a section for this on the form. If the parents' passports have expired then it will need to be sent with the application. Or a birth certificate for either parent.

If your child was born or adopted outside of the UK 

please see the official direct.gov.uk website – click the ‘travel and transport' section and go to the ‘Passport' link.

Who needs to sign my child's passport application form?
The parent, or guardian, will need to sign the application form.

If you are divorced and are applying for a passport for your child then either parent can sign, unless there is a court order preventing this. Other court order documentation, whereby access and such like is granted, should be sent along with the application form.

If the parents are not married the mother can sign. The father can sign if he has a parental responsibility order or agreement. This needs to be sent with the application. Or if he is named on the birth certificate.

Can I renew my child's passport early, i.e. it still has time left on it but expires whilst we are travelling?

You can renew your child's passport at any time providing it is a standard five year passport, has not been damaged and you do not need to change any information on it, for example their name or national status.

Any time left on the new passport, up to a maximum of nine months, will be added to the new passport.

My child is about to turn 16, do they need to apply for an adult passport?

If your child's passport has yet to expire but the child is due to turn 16 you do not have to apply for an adult's passport until their current child's passport expires. So, for example, if the child turns 16 and there is still 3 years left on their child's passport they do not need to renew/apply for an adult's passport until they are 19 years old, once it has expired.

Passport Renewal for Children

Child passports only last for 5 years, so if you get a passport for a young child, there is a good chance that you will have to renew it at some point. Passport renewal for children is different from passport renewal for adults.

Unlike adults, who are allowed to renew their passports by mail, children must appear in person at a passport office to renew their passports. Children must also have the consent of both parents in order to apply for a passport renewal until they turn 16. Teens ages 16 and 17 need parental consent from one parent.

Parental consent can be proven in one of the following ways:

• Both parents accompany the child to apply for his or her passport renewal.
  
  
• One parent accompanies the child and brings a notarized statement of parental consent from the other parent.
  
  
• One parent with sole legal custody can provide consent for the child as long as the parent brings proof that they have sole custody, such as a birth certificate or adoption decree with only one parents' name on it, or a court order.
  
   If neither parent is available to accompany the child, another person can bring the child in with a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents (or one parent with sole legal custody).
  

In addition, you will need the following documents:

• Proof of your identity, such as a government-issued photo ID, as well as a photocopy of this ID.
  
• Proof of your relationship to the child, such as a birth certificate, adoption decree or court order.
  
• Proof of the child's citizenship, such as the child's current passport, a birth certificate or a naturalization certificate.
  
• 2 passport photos
  

Once you have everything together, head down to your local passport acceptance facility (often a post office or library), fill out passport form DS-11 and sign it when the passport agent tells you to, pay the applicable fees, and your child's passport renewal should be processed within the next 6 weeks (if you use regular service).

Author,

Alison Kroulek

Lost Passport Replacement in Boston

If you're going to lose your passport, Boston is one of the better cities in which to do it. That's because Boston has several different options available for getting your lost passport replaced in the required timeframe. Let's take a look at the different lost passport replacement procedures and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Lost Passport Replacement at an Acceptance Facility 

The most common method of replacing a lost passport is to apply in person at a passport acceptance facility. There are currently 7 of these scattered throughout Boston, mainly in post offices.

 

To get a new passport, you'll need the following documents:

• Proof of identity, such as your driver's license or other government-issued photo ID. You'll need both the original and a clear photocopy.
  
  
• 
   Proof of citizenship, such as your birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.
  
  
• Form DS-64: Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport
  
  
  
• Passport Application Form DS-11
  
  
• 2 passport photos
  
  
• Money to pay passport fees.
  

Once you've applied to replace your lost passport, you can expect to wait 6 weeks for the new passport to arrive in the mail if you've selected normal processing, and 3 weeks if you've selected expedited processing.

Lost Passport Replacement at the Boston Passport Agency 

If you don't have 3 weeks to wait, don't worry! Boston is one of 21 cities in the US that is home to regional passport agency office. This office can issue a passport within 24 hours if you have a travel emergency. In addition to the documents listed above, you'll also need to bring a copy of your itinerary to prove that you intend to leave the country within the next 2 weeks.

The Boston Passport Agency is located at 10 Causeway Street in Suite 247. To make an appointment, call 1-877-487-2778.

Author,

Alison Kroulek