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Passport Expediting Slots – What they are and how they affect you

Slots are granted by the Department of State at the regional passport office level to companies that register as a hand carry courier at one those offices. There are no application fees but there is a long wait list to be approved. These authorized arrangements allow third party private companies a set number of passport submissions (slots) per day or per week. Most of the regional passport agencies issue less of the same-day slots than of the standard expediting slots. Each of the passport agency offices has a different number of registered passport hand-carry couriers that they work with and each passport agency decides how many and of what[…]

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When Does a Child Need a Passport?

Confusion about passport requirements for children is quite a common occurrence, I will try to briefly explain when a child needs a passport and when they don’t. The specifics for obtaining child passports with and without the consent of the other parent, I will save for another time. Regulations and required documentation for travel outside the United States have been constantly reviewed and revised since 2001. Those planning such a trip are well advised to have the most up to date information and should begin the process of securing needed documents as early in the process as possible. In many cases, there are different requirements for adults and children[…]

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Funny Stories About People Losing Their Passports

Back when I was involved with a passport expediting company, I heard many crazy phone calls – both directly and indirectly through my staff. These are just some of the funny and unbelievable stories about lost passports I had heard about. It’s never fun for those that lose a passport and it’s almost never timely, trust me I know, I once realized I lost my passport the night before a trip to Colombia. It was a costly incident to say the least. I now joke about my experience losing my passport, hopefully these people do too! Cruise ship This one guy, let’s call him Mike, called us while he[…]

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Overview of the Real ID Act

Although not directly related to Passports (a US Passport is Real ID Act compliant), I thought it would still be relevant to discuss the different aspects of it. Enacted on May 11th, 2005, the Real ID Act was an act passed by Congress that amended the United States federal law with regards to authentication, issuance process and security of individual state’s driver licenses and ID cards. The act also covered several immigration issues that related to terrorism. The Real ID act was defined by the Secretary of Homeland Security as the requirements for driver’s licenses and ID cards that are accepted by the government for official purposes. The Secretary[…]

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US Passport Books and US Passport Cards – The Differences

First issued during the late 1700s, passports issued by the United States have become some of the most respected and coveted travel documents. Standardized in the World War II area, US passports constantly undergo changes in design and security to maintain their integrity. US Passport Procedure and UsageRegular passport books are valid for ten years, and can be applied for a numerous passport acceptance agent locations upon presentation of the required documents and payment of a fee. They are good for international air, sea, and ground travel worldwide. While many countries allow US visitors to enter and stay in country for various amounts of time on the strength of[…]

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What to do when you lose your passport overseas

Losing your passport can be a terrible and frightening experience for anyone who travels internationally. However, there are American Consulates and Embassies that can help you obtain travel documentation. Following each of the key points below will help you to get your passport replaced, keep your identity intact and make sure that you are not stranded in a foreign country. Contact an American Consulate or Embassy Quickly You cannot discover that your passport is lost/stolen/destroyed and wait to visit the consulate. Contact the closest consulate or embassy ASAP, they will instruct you on what to do next. It will most likely involve paying the consulate or embassy a visit[…]

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