You're excited about your next trip to Europe and have spent
months planning every little detail. You count the days and finally
you're packing and heading off to the airport. You know you've put your
passport in your carry on and are a bit smug at remembering to bring
this important document.
You stand confidently in the airport
security line, smile as you hand your passport to the official, then
watch with bewilderment as he asks you to step aside. What's going on?
As if in a dream, you hear the security official point accusingly to the
expiration date on your passport. How can it be? Your passport has
expired!
This really is a nightmare scenario to any traveler, but
it's totally avoidable. If you're reading this, go find your passport
right now and check the expiration date. That's right, go! I'll wait
until you return.
Okay, if you're still reading, then it's likely
your passport expiration date may be past, be here soon or within 6
months of expiring. Hopefully you're not leaving tomorrow for your
vacation to Europe. You can actually renew a US passport relatively
quickly and easily so don't despair.
US passports can be renewed
by mail, which is very convenient. The United States Department of State
even has a specific form to use called a DS-82, "Application for a U.S.
Passport by Mail". The form is available to download and print online
at the Department of State web site, or you can pick it up at just about
any U.S. Post Office. You might want to consider the overdue haircut or
that new style you've been eager to try, because you're going to need
to produce 2 new passport photos. I know you think you look exactly the
same as you did 10 years ago, despite what your friends say, but the
State Department wants new photos anyway. Find a passport agency that
can take passport photos per the standards and include those with your
mail in application. Make a copy of everything before sealing the
envelope and don't forget to also drop in your current passport. Use a
traceable mail method, such as certified mail, and make sure the
envelope you've selected is durable and waterproof.
Accidents happen, so
plan for the worst!
It will take around 3 or 4 weeks to get your
new passport, but if that's too long check into the "expedited" service,
if you're willing to pay a bit more. Check the Department of State web
site, which is up to date and full of useful information, to find out
the price for this and any other information not covered here.
Once
you get your shiny new passport, you can rest easy knowing that
nightmare won't come true for you. Just don't forget to pack your
toothbrush!
C.L. Hendricks has been a Jill-of-all-trades and become an expert
in some. She has also traveled extensively and now writes about travel
destinations around the world for How to Get a Passport
[http://www.how-to-get-a-passport.com] and other travel sites as Web Content Provider.
