Identification Archives - Page 2 of 3

Passport Fees Increasing as of December 27th 2021

Starting on December 27th, 2021 – Passport Applications are increasing by $20. This applies to all new passport applications and renewals whether they’re for a child or adult. This will undoubtedly cause a lot of application suspensions because many people end up sitting on their applications for weeks or months before they finally send it in (especially for renewals) – In order to not have to be the increased passport fees, be sure to get your application postmarked or submitted directly to the passport agency by December 27th. The reasons given are very vague, but as with everything costs for goods and services are going up. Passports are no[…]

WARNING: Websites offering PDF document editing for passport forms

There are numerous websites that you may come across that are made to look like websites where you can apply for your passport, they are all in fact selling you a high priced PDF editor that is completely unnecessary and may even get your application suspended if you use it. Google has been allowing these websites to advertise unabated for some time now, in fact Adwords has become infested with these websites even though a PDF editor is completely unnecessary and of no use for filling out your passport application. The Department of State offers an online application form filler tool that you can fill out, make corrections if[…]

How to Change Your Name on Your Passport

So you went ahead and got married and you want to use your new married name on your passport, or maybe you got divorced or maybe you had your name legally changed. For whatever reason, it’s best to keep your documents up to date with your most current name change. Your US passport is a vitally important document. It’s irrefutable proof of your identity, it demonstrates that you are a citizen of the United States, with all the rights and responsibility that that status entails, and it makes it easy for you to be found and identified quickly when you’re traveling abroad. Why Do You Need to Change Your[…]

TSA Precheck Centers Can Now Be Found at the DMV, Concerts and Other Facilities

TSA Precheck centers are now available in many unexpected places, expanding the opportunity for more travelers to take advantage of this time saving feature. Precheck stations allow frequent travelers to get through security quicker. The process is quite simple. Upon application some basic information must be provided along with an $85 registration fee. Once clearance is received, it’s good for 5 years. The program is being endorsed by several large corporations, including American Express, JetBlue and Hilton Honors, and each of these companies are rewarding their members who complete the process with a reimbursement or some other type of incentive. The TSA is now focusing on getting even more[…]

Real ID Delayed for Air Travel Until 2018

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh C. Johnson announced in early January 2016 that the enforcement of the REAL ID Act has been delayed until January 22, 2018. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, went on to be enacted as a result of the 9/11 Commissions recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of services of identification, including drivers’ licenses”. The REAL ID Act essentially puts the onus on each individual U.S. state and U.S. territory to provide state-issued drivers licenses or ID cards that are compliant with Federal standards. The purposes of the REAL ID Act are for: Boarding federally regulated[…]

Why I Recently Recommended to Someone That They Travel with their Expired Passport to the Bahamas

I had gotten an urgent call from an acquaintance of mine on a recent Thursday morning, his dilemma? He and 5 of his friends were travelling to the Bahamas the following morning on his private boat for a weekend fishing trip and he realized that his passport had expired 4 months prior. Being both an avid fisherman and an expert in passport expediting, I guess he figured I could work miracles, but the events that followed are …. well read for yourself: Travel documents are an important part of any international boating or fishing trip, typically one can go on a cruise (like on Carnival, or Royal Caribbean) to[…]

Category: Identification