What you need to know about renewing your passport
Submitted by Wanderlust Andi
Passport renewal can be confusing and a little frustrating if you don't know what you're doing. Awareness of the rules and regulations and following a few simple tips can really help alleviate some of the stress.
First step - check your passport. Do you know when your passport was issued? If you are an American adult, your passport will expire 10 years from the time you obtained your passport. And, it is currently taking at least 6 weeks to process a passport (although you can expedite this - for a fee), so start the passport process early!
If you want to ensure a smooth and painless renewal, here are some things to consider.
- Where's your old passport?
- Are you eligible to renew via mail, or only in person?
- How's that signature looking - is it legible or are you a doctor in training?
- Additionally, when, where and how often do plan to travel? Not only do you need to know your country's regulations, but what about those of your destination?
- And, you can get just a passport card (for $30) if you are only traveling to Canada or Mexico. But - are you really certain that you will NEVER travel beyond Canada and Mexico in the next 10 years? The $110 for a passport sounds high - but is the pain of the potential hassle to get a passport later worth saving $11 per year?
Have more questions? Be sure to check here: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html
Read the full article here:
7 Tips to make renewing a passport a breeze #wanderlust
Related Content:
You may need a passport to board a plane in 2018
Submitted by Wanderlust AndiYou will need a passport to board a plane January, 2018 if your state doesn't comply with the REAL ID Act.
Even if your passport is current - it still might not be valid
Submitted by Wanderlust AndiCheck your passport - is it current? If so - you still might not be good to go - even if it is valid for the duration of your planned trip.
For, if you are going to France, not only do you need a valid passport, but the passport needs to be valid for 6 months after your arrive - and 3 months after your scheduled departure. And, Switzerland requires that your passport is valid for 3 months after you arrive.
Do you want to have two passports - legally?
Submitted by Wanderlust AndiIt is a little-known fact that you can actually get two passports if you are so inclined - and have a need. And no, it is not about having a couple of false id's.
In 2015 and before, you could get additional pages added to your passport if you were one of those lucky people that traveled extensively. But, as of 2016, you can either get a 52-page passport when you renew your passport, OR you can get an additional passport (for a fee) to accommodate your need for all of those pages.
The Design of Your Passport is About to Change
Submitted by Wanderlust AndiU.S. passports are going to be different soon. The exact appearance is not yet known, but the purpose is known. They will be harder for people to forge, copy, or alter.
There will be special ink that seems to be green from some angles and gold from other angles. Some of the printing of designs will be tactile, that is, raised above the surface of the paper.