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

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

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

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.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Passport

The procedure of obtaining a passport is influenced by many different factors. Knowledge of these factors helps in understanding how long does it take to obtain a passport. The following article deals with the basic information on this topic.

The passport is a document that certifies an individual for international travel. Identity and nationality are the important things which need to be certified before a person receives his/her passport. The points to be checked in order to certify a particular person are the date of birth, name, place of birth and sex. Different types of passports are the ordinary, official, diplomatic, collective, emergency, family, internal, alien's, laissez and the camouflage passport. The passport is a document that verifies identity of a person while a visa acts as an entry pass for traveling to a particular nation. Let us find more on the topic of obtaining a passport.

How to Get a Passport?

Following steps explain the procedure to obtain a US passport.

The first task in the process of getting a passport is that of downloading the application and keeping your photographs ready.

Any person above 16 years of age can apply for a passport. Those who are under the age of 16 years would require a notarized permission in order to apply for the same.

People who are applying for the first time, those who don't have the possession of their expired passports, who had been issued passports 16 years ago or those who have lost their passports must apply in person.

The passport office also helps expedite the procedure if one is willing to pay more. In such cases, one needs to send express mail along with prepaid postage and an envelope.

The completion of formalities, i.e. the signatures should be done in the presence of passport officials only.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Passport?

Answer to the above question is based on different factors like volume of applications, season and many other factors. It may take several weeks to get a passport, depending on the above mentioned factors. However, ideally it takes about 5 - 6 weeks to obtain this document. The procedure of obtaining a passport has 4 - 5 steps involved, which requires time and it might result in extension and delays. The lengthy procedure of obtaining a passport involves completing and submitting the application form (DS-11), providing evidence of citizenship, identification, paying fees and providing photographs. During peak periods and seasonal times, the government issues notifications to apply in advance for the passport. One should keep an eye on the happenings and current events to avoid hassles and delays in the process of getting passports. Application for the passport should be submitted well in advance before the need arises. A person living in the US should apply for a passport to the US Passport Agency. One can check the processing times of that particular season or period on the website of the agency in order to plan properly in advance. Nowadays, a large number of people apply for passports. Time required to obtain this document can therefore, extend from a normal 5 - 6 weeks to as long as 8 weeks.

One should be prompt and up-to-date in dealing with the documents. One should keep a watch on the happenings and present situations, i.e. the number of people applying for a passport and other influencing factors to speed up the process.

Passport Authorization Letter

o you need to draft an authorization letter to allow a third party to submit your passport application and receive the passport on your behalf? With this article you should be able to draft such a letter without any problem.

Your passport is one of your most important documents, and it is essential that in the entire process of applying for a passport you are aware of all details. But in certain cases, it is a possibility that you may have to authorize a third person to do your work for you. In such a case, it will be imperative that you draft a letter of authorization for this third party, so that they have the rightful authority to do your work for you without incriminating themselves. In this article, we tell you how such a letter needs to be drafted.

Writing an Authorization Letter

While writing any type of authority letter, it is important to be sure of what details need to be included in the letter. An authorization letter is an important document and you will need to ensure that it is a tightly worded document that cannot be negotiated or misconstrued in any manner. You need to emphasize in the letter what work regarding the passport is authorized under the document that you are providing. You also need to confirm with the authorities in question whether there is a specific format that needs to be followed. You need to ensure that you provide the authorities with documents to verify your identity and that of the company/ person you are authorizing. Ensure that the letter is brief, precise, correct in its format, and grammatically correct. Given below is a template for such a letter and a sample letter that will help you understand how to draft such a letter.

                                    Template for Letter of Authorization for Passport
Date

Name of Applicant

Date of Birth

Place of Birth

In the first paragraph, specify whom you are authorizing to conduct all affairs in relation to your passport. Mention in specifics the tasks that the letter gives them the authority for.

In the second paragraph, you need to mention the act under which it makes it impossible for any person to gain information from the US government regarding another individual. Specify the details of this act and mention how this act ensures that employees of the passport agency cannot discuss your details with anyone else without prior written permission from you.

The third paragraph will mention that you, as the applicant for the passport, give the governmental agency the right to discuss any issues pertaining to the passport with the agency that you have mentioned. You will also need to mention that this letter is enclosed with documents verifying your identity and that of the company you are authorizing.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

Signature

Signature if applicant is a minor under the age of 18

                                         Sample Letter of Authorization for Passport

5th June 2011

Sarah Jane Lipmann

12th Feb 1982

New Jersey, New York

To Whomsoever it May Concern

This letter is to authorize Voyages Travel Agency with the right to submit my application to obtain a passport and also the authority to receive the passport on my behalf. I hereby, grant them the right to fulfill necessary obligations on my behalf in the process of passport application.

According to the Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579), the US Government cannot release any information about an individual without written authorization by the person in question. Therefore, with this letter the US passport agency is being given the right to discuss the details of my passport application with Voyages Travel Agency.

I also authorize the governmental agency to accept the application for passport from Voyages Travel Agency, discuss any arising issues with them, and allow them to deliver the passport to Voyages Travel Agency. Along with this document, I am enclosing a copy of my driver's license and also registration documents for Voyages Travel Agency.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

Signature

Sarah Jane Lipmann

Hopefully, with the help of this article, drafting an authorization letter should be absolutely no problem for you. It is important that before you draft the letter and you get in touch with someone who has done passport work in the past, who will be able to help you with the procedure. Also, it is important that you check the official website to check the requisites and documents that need to be submitted with such a document.

What to Do if Your Passport is Stolen or Lost

Do you need to draft an authorization letter to allow a third party to submit your passport application and receive the passport on your behalf? With this article you should be able to draft such a letter without any problem.

Your passport is one of your most important documents, and it is essential that in the entire process of applying for a passport you are aware of all details. But in certain cases, it is a possibility that you may have to authorize a third person to do your work for you. In such a case, it will be imperative that you draft a letter of authorization for this third party, so that they have the rightful authority to do your work for you without incriminating themselves. In this article, we tell you how such a letter needs to be drafted.

Writing an Authorization Letter

While writing any type of authority letter, it is important to be sure of what details need to be included in the letter. An authorization letter is an important document and you will need to ensure that it is a tightly worded document that cannot be negotiated or misconstrued in any manner. You need to emphasize in the letter what work regarding the passport is authorized under the document that you are providing. You also need to confirm with the authorities in question whether there is a specific format that needs to be followed. You need to ensure that you provide the authorities with documents to verify your identity and that of the company/ person you are authorizing. Ensure that the letter is brief, precise, correct in its format, and grammatically correct. Given below is a template for such a letter and a sample letter that will help you understand how to draft such a letter.

Template for Letter of Authorization for Passport

Date

Name of Applicant

Date of Birth

Place of Birth

In the first paragraph, specify whom you are authorizing to conduct all affairs in relation to your passport. Mention in specifics the tasks that the letter gives them the authority for.

In the second paragraph, you need to mention the act under which it makes it impossible for any person to gain information from the US government regarding another individual. Specify the details of this act and mention how this act ensures that employees of the passport agency cannot discuss your details with anyone else without prior written permission from you.

The third paragraph will mention that you, as the applicant for the passport, give the governmental agency the right to discuss any issues pertaining to the passport with the agency that you have mentioned. You will also need to mention that this letter is enclosed with documents verifying your identity and that of the company you are authorizing.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

Signature

Signature if applicant is a minor under the age of 18

                           Sample Letter of Authorization for Passport

5th June 2011

Sarah Jane Lipmann

12th Feb 1982

New Jersey, New York

To Whomsoever it May Concern

This letter is to authorize Voyages Travel Agency with the right to submit my application to obtain a passport and also the authority to receive the passport on my behalf. I hereby, grant them the right to fulfill necessary obligations on my behalf in the process of passport application.

According to the Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579), the US Government cannot release any information about an individual without written authorization by the person in question. Therefore, with this letter the US passport agency is being given the right to discuss the details of my passport application with Voyages Travel Agency.

I also authorize the governmental agency to accept the application for passport from Voyages Travel Agency, discuss any arising issues with them, and allow them to deliver the passport to Voyages Travel Agency. Along with this document, I am enclosing a copy of my driver's license and also registration documents for Voyages Travel Agency.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

Signature

Sarah Jane Lipmann

Hopefully, with the help of this article, drafting an authorization letter should be absolutely no problem for you. It is important that before you draft the letter and you get in touch with someone who has done passport work in the past, who will be able to help you with the procedure. Also, it is important that you check the official website to check the requisites and documents that need to be submitted with such a document.

Benefits of having a Polish (EU) passport

Since Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004, there has been an increase of interest among people of Polish descent in obtaining a Polish passport. Polish citizenship makes it possible for them to reside, study, own property and gain employment in the European Union countries. 

As a Polish citizen, you can live and work in any of the EU countries and enjoy free public health care and education. You can also gain access to preferential investment loans, employment schemes and you don't have to stand in the "Others" queue at airports!

Confirmation of Polish citizenship can be daunting, as those who have tried doing it by themselves will tell you! While the general rule is that if you have Polish ancestors then you are already a citizen of Poland, there are any number of reasons why your citizenship may have lapsed. This is why the Polish government requires you to confirm your citizenship before you can apply for your Polish passport. 

Do you think that confirming your Polish citizenship is simply a matter of getting in touch with the Polish government? Think again! Confirmation of Polish citizenship can be challenging, frustrating and time consuming.

Confirmation of citizenship is an administrative and not a legal process so don't get sucked in by lawyers who will charge you an arm and a leg for the simplest of tasks.

The key to success is to check whether you are eligible in the first place, gather relevant documentation and submit it in the right way, to the right department in Poland. It requires your commitment and full cooperation but if you leave it to the experts, the journey, whilst long and at times frustrating, will lead to a successful conclusion.

How do you tell whether you are eligible?

Unfortunately, the answer to the question above isn't simple. The Polish citizenship legislation, whilst very liberal and generous, is also quite complex. This is why establishing eligibility is essential at the very beginning of the process so that your application doesn't end in refusal, frustration and loss of time and money. 

Some of the factors that the Polish government takes into consideration include the ancestors' year of birth, nationality of the second parent/grandparent, foreign military service, acquisition of foreign citizenship, conscription age of the father/grandfather of the applicant, holding of public office but most of all, available documentation proving all of the above. In some cases, because of the Polish legislation, siblings from the same parents may or not be eligible, depending on their gender and year of birth.

The onus is on the applicant to provide sufficient evidence and proof of citizenship and, as a general rule, the more documents issued by the Polish government are submitted, the better your chances. Other documents, such as International Identity Cards, Refuge Cards, Red Cross documentation and archival documents from Australia can also be accepted. 

The fundamental part of the process is to gather information and all available documents, and check whether you are actually eligible. Some families may be reluctant to explore their past, as many of them are victims of trauma so it is important to treat their stories and lives with respects. Often, we can provide you with tips on how to approach them in a sensitive way, as your ancestors will often hold the key to your EU passport, that is documentation as well as information on their past. 

Obtaining a Polish passport is a 2 step process:

1. Confirmation of Polish Citizenship

File containing your family's documents proving your ancestry needs to be put together. Everything has to be prepared in the Polish language, then submitted for assessment by the authorities in Poland. Most applications are processed within 12 months from the day of lodgment, though some do take longer.

2. Application for Polish Passport

To apply for your Polish passport, you will need your certificate of Polish citizenship and your Polish birth certificate (yes, even if you were not born in Poland!). 

Feel free to email me if you have any other questions!

Yours sincerely

Eva Hussain

Polaron Language Services

All About A Passport Holder

Do you need to travel on a regular basis? Do you think that when you travel, you cannot carry yourself in as much as styles as you generally do? In case your answer is yes, then probably you are in dire need of a passport holder. These days we all need to travel a lot. Globalisation is the call of the day. As a result, work is based all over the globe. Quite obviously you are meant to cross borders for work purposes quite regularly. And if you are a part of a business house, then travelling is becomes nothing less than your way of lifestyle.

That is exactly why these days; passport holders are very much in vogue. As the name suggests these are holders which are meant for carrying your passport in. Those who travel regularly know that their passports are pretty much subjected to wear and tear. To preserve your passport in the best of condition, you need to use some kind of a protective covering. However that is not just all that a passport holder comprises of. These generally come with other pockets and holders which lets you keep your credit and debit cards and the like. This means that when you are travelling you can be sure that you have all the important documents that you would need once you have one of these passport holders.

Quite obviously a passport holder goes a long way to add on an element of organisation to your life. However that is not just the only reason you should be carrying one of these. A passport holder is also a great style statement. Since these are designed for long distance travel, passport holders are made with something that is sturdy. Generally the choice of material is leather. As a result, you get an added accessory when you are travelling that looks quite stylish and trendy.

Indeed the style factor that a passport holder carries makes your travel image complete. In fact most people who own these leather holders generally flaunt these around as much as they can. Truly a person carrying his or her passport in a holder gives out an image of being a confident and cool person. The impression that these make is tremendous. And if you are in the corporate sector, you would know how much of a difference a good image makes to your life.

For those who travel on a regular basis, you would see that a passport holder is indeed quite an important accessory. This is one accessory that serves three purposes at the same time. First of all it provides your passport with a protection against wear and tear and makes it more durable. Secondly, it goes a long way to add on an organisational touch to your life. And thirdly this is one item which makes quite a trendy impression. As a result this can definitely be tagged as one of the most useful of the accessories that ever was. In case you are a person on the go, you could definitely get one for yourself. 

By: louisa martha