Increased security measures have caused the State Department to
implement many changes in our passport regulations and here are five
things you must know about your passport requirements if you plan to
travel abroad and then return to the U.S.
1. Before you even start to make the travel plans you need to know that the passport you have is still valid. You probably won't need it to leave the country if you are going to cruise but you definitely will have to have a valid passport to get back into the U.S. if you are traveling by air. By June of 2009 all persons traveling into the U.S. by land or sea will have to have a valid Passport or Passport Card.
People are finding that processing a passport these days now takes about one month or a little longer so you need to make sure you have time before your departure date for the processing to take place.
2. You need to know that your passport will still be valid for at least 6 months after you return home other wise it won't be considered a valid passport for reentry. This is passport requirement that has caused a lot of problems for those who have had a passport for a greater length of time and assume that if it is valid that is all that matters.
3. If you plan to drive across the border to Mexico or into Canada for a short stay you will find that after June of 2009 it will be necessary to have a valid passport in your possession if you plan to return to the U.S. Right now the requirements have not changed and you need a birth certificate along with a government issued photo ID for entry to the U.S.
4. The emergency portion of the passport should always be filled out with the contact information for your friends or relatives back home. There is no way for you to know when it may be necessary to contact someone in an emergency and it is never a good idea to rely on your memory for this important information.
5. You can always apply for a new passport at a Passport Agency Office, a local Court House or at a local US Postal Office. No temporary or expired state issued IDs will be accepted as identification for a passport application. You must use an official passport photograph for the application and school photos will not be be accepted.
If at any time you have a question about your passport regulations or the changing passport requirements be sure to visit the U.S. Department of State's web site at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
1. Before you even start to make the travel plans you need to know that the passport you have is still valid. You probably won't need it to leave the country if you are going to cruise but you definitely will have to have a valid passport to get back into the U.S. if you are traveling by air. By June of 2009 all persons traveling into the U.S. by land or sea will have to have a valid Passport or Passport Card.
People are finding that processing a passport these days now takes about one month or a little longer so you need to make sure you have time before your departure date for the processing to take place.
2. You need to know that your passport will still be valid for at least 6 months after you return home other wise it won't be considered a valid passport for reentry. This is passport requirement that has caused a lot of problems for those who have had a passport for a greater length of time and assume that if it is valid that is all that matters.
3. If you plan to drive across the border to Mexico or into Canada for a short stay you will find that after June of 2009 it will be necessary to have a valid passport in your possession if you plan to return to the U.S. Right now the requirements have not changed and you need a birth certificate along with a government issued photo ID for entry to the U.S.
4. The emergency portion of the passport should always be filled out with the contact information for your friends or relatives back home. There is no way for you to know when it may be necessary to contact someone in an emergency and it is never a good idea to rely on your memory for this important information.
5. You can always apply for a new passport at a Passport Agency Office, a local Court House or at a local US Postal Office. No temporary or expired state issued IDs will be accepted as identification for a passport application. You must use an official passport photograph for the application and school photos will not be be accepted.
If at any time you have a question about your passport regulations or the changing passport requirements be sure to visit the U.S. Department of State's web site at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Jere Moline has been a life long traveler and has enjoyed the
cultures of many countries throughout the world. He has experienced
several different types of travel both on his own and on planned
excursions. He has recently built a web site where travelers can come
together and discuss their experiences and ask questions about the next
places they plan to visit.
Be sure to stop by http://www.discounttraveltoday.com
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