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Traveling To Mexico? Find Out The Pass Port Requirements In This Article
January 5, 2010
Mexico is among the top tourist destinations among Americans. This is largely due to the United States’ proximity to Mexico, but of course it goes deeper than that. Mexico offers Americans the experience of the former’s rich culture, great food, and fine beaches. So if you’re a fan of the Maya civilization, Mexican food, or Acapulco, then chances are you want to travel there soon. Read this article, and we’ll show you what the Pass port requirements are when traveling to Mexico.
Because Mexico is a part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), you can travel to this destination by presenting US documents that are accepted for your visit. Some of the documents you may use include your passport book and passport card. These documents help establish proof of your identity and citizenship.
Let’s tackle the difference between the two passports. When speaking of your passport book, it’s the conventional type of passport similar to other passports issued by other countries all over the world. The benefit of having a passport book is that you have greater flexibility when traveling as you can use this to any destination and for every type of travel, from air to land to the sea.
But there are several advantages when using a passport card. First, of course, is the size. Compared to the passport book, the card is smaller which makes it easy for you to keep. Applying for a passport card is also cheap, which is another point for cards over passport books. However, you can only use the passport card if you’re traveling by land or sea to WHTI territories.
Can you apply for both the passport book and the passport card? Yes, you can. Simply present the necessary requirements for your passport application. The great thing about applying for these documents at the same time is that you get a significant discount than applying for them individually.
You may notice that the WHTI allows the use of other US documents when traveling to WHTI destinations. These documents may include your birth certificate and your enhanced driver’s license. It’s best if you consult with the Mexican Embassy first to ensure that you can use these or other types of documents.
Keep in mind that there are certain additional New passport requirements for minors and businesspeople traveling to Mexico. Minors have to bring a notarized copy of the parental consent. This document should also include the child’s travel details including the airlines he/she will be taking, as well as the minor’s travel schedule. Filling in Form FM-N is required of businesspeople to authorize them to conduct business in the country. If you have more questions regarding the requirements of the two, check with the Mexican Embassy.
The Passport requirements application entail the passport card or the passport book to enter the country. Just keep in mind that the Pass port card can only be used for land or sea travel, while you will need a regular passport book for international air travel.
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When Applying For A U S Passport You Can Visit Cancun And Other Awesome Vacation Spots!
January 3, 2010
Cancun is one of the most popular tourist destinations among Americans. This is hugely due to its proximity to the United States and its beaches and hotels. If you are Applying For A USA Passport to go to Cancun but are unsure of the travel requirements to get there, let us answer some of your questions including whether you need apply for a US passport to visit Cancun, Mexico.
Like every part of Mexico, you will need specific documents that will establish both your identity as well as your nationality. And you can do that with the help of any of the following documents: your State-issued enhanced driver’s license, your US passport book, or your US passport card. Keep these in handy whenever Applying For A Passport Application and if you travel to Cancun, as well as on your return to the US.
If you’re traveling to Cancun by sea or by land, having a US passport card would suffice to enable you to visit the city. The good thing too is that passport cards are cheaper to obtain than regular passport books. So if you want to save on your trip to Cancun, then you can have significant savings by applying for a passport card.
However, if you’re traveling to destinations outside the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), then you will need the regular passport book. Countries and areas that are covered by the WHTI are Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. So if you’re traveling outside of these four areas, then you will need to have a passport book.
Just to be safe, you should apply for a regular passport book. This provides you with the ultimate flexibility in travel, as well as for instances where a regular passport book may be required. It is more expensive than a passport card, but if you are the type who regularly travels to international destinations, then the passport book will be of more use to you.
There are also other travel requirements you’ll need to fulfill if you’re traveling to Cancun aside from having a passport card or passport book. You will also have to register with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate for travel and safety information on your destination. Aside from that, registering will also help make it easier for the Embassy to get in touch with you in case of an emergency while you are in Cancun.
Meanwhile, if you’re traveling with minors, make sure that you also have the necessary documents for their travel. That includes the notarized parental consent that includes the minors’ travel information such as travel dates and airlines they will be taking. This document should also be supplemented with the proof of relationship between the child and the parent.
If you want to enjoy the sun and the sand in Cancun, we hope we have provided you exactly the information you need about traveling there. When it comes to the question of whether you need to apply for a passport to visit Cancun, Mexico, yes, you do. You can either use a regular US passport book or the more convenient US passport card. But if you want flexibility in your international travel, applying for a US passport book is highly recommended.
Ready to go to Cancun? It’s fun, and Applying For An American Passport is easy. So, You will be ready once you know you have everything ready, including your New passport in order to visit Cancun, Mexico.
Your Questions on How to Get a US Passport Name Change Answered Here
January 2, 2010
Learning how to get a USA Passport Name Change is important if you want your passport to reflect the change in your name since your most recent passport. A name change applies when you get married (and have taken on a different surname), or your name has changed through a court order. In both instances, you will have to go through the passport office for this passport name change.
You have two ways about getting your passport name changed if your name was changed legally (due to marriage or court order). What option is available to you is determined by the time when your latest passport was issued. Once you’ve determined that, you will need to submit the necessary documents that each option requires.
The first option is when your passport was issued more than one year ago. If this is the case with your passport, you will have to apply for a new passport by mail. To do that, you will need to mail the necessary requirements: your latest validated passport, two recent color photographs of yourself, the fees that cover this application, the completed DS-82 form so you can apply for a passport by mail, and finally, the original or at least a certified copy of the document that proves your name was changed legally (a marriage contract or a court order, depending on your case).
Meanwhile, there’s another slightly different set of requirements if your passport is less than a year old. What you need to submit are: your latest passport, two copies of your recent ID picture, the supporting legal documents mentioned in the last paragraph, and the filled out DS-5504. This is the type of application you’ll fill in if you’re applying for a passport name change.
In the case of passports that were issued less than a year ago, applicants are not required to pay any fee. If, however, you choose to have your application expedited, then you will have to pay an additional fee. The US Department of State recommends expedited passports for anyone who intends to leave within the next 10 weeks. Currently, it takes around two to three weeks to process an expedited passport.
However, there are cases when you cannot legally document your name change, yet wish to get a Passport Name Change Application. If this sounds like your current situation, then there’s a remedy to that. All you need to do is to submit your latest valid passport, two color photos, your completed passport application form or the DS-11, and pay the applicable fees. Aside from that, you will also need to provide three public records with your date and place of birth that indicates the exclusive use of your new name for a minimum of five years.
When filing out a DS-11 form, the passport office requires you to submit this and the other supporting documents in person. And since the office might be far from where you live, it pays to ensure that you have filled in all the information and have all the documents you need before proceeding. This will save you a lot of time.
If you want to know how to get a Passport Name Change Application, it’s simple and straightforward. First, you’ll have to determine the age of your USA Passport, as well as the legal documents that you have with you. Once you have those, choose the appropriate procedure that suits you and proceed from there.
Save Time, Don’t Wait In Line – Find Out Everything You Need To Know About Getting A New Passport Now
December 26, 2009
Regardless of the type of passport-related transaction you’re going to do, you should always make it a point to know the requirements on getting a new us passport. This is important because knowing what you need to do beforehand helps you save a lot of time. It becomes even more important when you need to make a personal appearance at the passport office. You don’t want to travel there only to waste half of your time trying to figure out what to do next.
In this article, we’ll show you how to get a passport for the first time, renew your expired passport, as well as apply for a passport card. We’ll keep these tips simple and straightforward to prevent you from getting confused any further. Ready? Read on.
First off, let’s talk about first-time passport applicants. If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you will need to fill in the DS-11 form. Aside from this, you will also need to submit other requirements needed from first-time passport applicants.
For a new USA passport, you need to establish your US citizenship. When establishing your citizenship, you have to present US-issued documents such as the following: your birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, and certificate of naturalization. Or, if you were born abroad, the consular report on your birth would suffice. Present any of these documents along with the DS-11. Your document will then be returned to you along with your US passport. Other times, your document may be mailed separately.
In addition to the DS-11 and your proof of citizenship, you have to provide an ID when you submit your documents in person. Also have a photocopy of the ID and attach it with the other documents that were previously mentioned. Then there are also the two required color passport photos. Submit them as well. Once you have accomplished all the requirements, you may now pay the applicable fees.
Now let’s deal with renewing your US passport. You need to have your passport renewed once it expires. You can then request for passport renewal by mail if you fill in Form DS-82. However, if you are based abroad, you will have to visit the nearest US embassy or consulate to have your passport renewed. Simply submit it to them and they will help you with what you need.
Then finally, there’s the passport card. A passport card is a more convenient option to having a passport book, although applying for both are recommended. You can use your passport card in areas that are covered by the Western Hemisphere travel Initiative (WHTI). WHTI areas are: Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Fill in the DS-82 if you already have the passport book, and then submit the form by mail. However, you need to fill in the DS-11 if you are not eligible for the mailing option, and then submit your form in person.
In sum, there are just two types of passport forms you need to be familiar with when you apply for a new passport. First is the DS-11, which you’ll use when you are applying for a passport for the first time. The DS-82 is meant for passport-related transactions you can conduct by mail. The same rule applies when you are applying for a us passport card.
Various U.S. Passport Applications Need Different Documentation
December 25, 2009
Depending on the type of passport-related transaction you need to do, there will be a corresponding form you have to fill in. So whether it’s applying for a new passport, or reporting your lost or stolen passport, you can expect to fill in a passport for those. But you don’t really have to memorize them all, since they’re number-coded, and you’ll probably have to deal with only some of these forms. So if you want to learn more about new passport application forms, you’ve come to the right place. Read on.
Let’s start with the most common type of form, the DS-11. It is arguably the best recognized form as this is the form used by practically everyone who has applied for a passport for the first time. However, the use of this form isn’t just exclusive to first-time passport applicants. The DS-11 is also used by other types of applicants such as those whose last passport was issued when they were under 16 years old, or those whose passports were issued more than 15 years ago.
One tip in knowing whether you’re going to need the DS-11 or another passport is that you need to submit the DS-11 in person. In case you are told to personally submit your application documents, then you’re likely to fill in the DS-11. In most instances, you will be told not to sign the form until you submit it personally. So to be sure, don’t sign the form yet until you are told to do so at the passport office.
In case you are not required to submit your new passport application form in person, you have the option of sending your application by mail. This option is of course more convenient than having to go to your nearest passport office to apply. In instances where you need to send your application by mail, you’ll have to accomplish the DS-82 form. So if you’re after the convenience of submitting your form through the mail, you’ll need the DS-82. However, some circumstances may restrict you from sending your application by mail, so contact your local passport office first, just to be sure.
What if you lose your passport, or if it was stolen from you? Then you will need to submit another form altogether. You’ll need to fill in Form DS-64. When filling in this form, make sure that you submit this as soon as possible to the nearest passport office. Just like the DS-82, you can send this form by mail.
However, if sending the DS-64 by mail is not an option, you can always submit it in person. You can do this if you are already planning of applying for a new passport in place of the one you lost. What you need to do is simply to pay the passport office a visit, and then submit Forms DS-64 and DS-11.
Sending your DS-64 by mail is fine if you are not planning on applying for a passport anytime soon. However, if you need to have one as soon as possible, then submit the form by hand with your DS-11. Doing this will let you hit two birds with one stone.
There are other pass port application forms that you might encounter, depending on what you need to accomplish. However, the ones that we mentioned above are those that you will be dealing with more often than not. These are the forms you’ll need to apply, mail, or report the loss of your USA passport.
U.S. Passport Name Change – It Shouldn’t Be A Difficult Thing To Do
December 22, 2009
You need to apply for a passport name change if you’ve had a change of name after you received your current passport. This change of name could either be due to your marriage or a court order. The American passport name change will then have to be made so that your new name would be reflected on your passport. There are different procedures you can go through when applying for this, all of which will depend on the date your passport was issued, and the legal documents you have to prove your name change. More of this as we go along this article.
But first of all you need to consider when your passport was issued. This is important because those who have passports that are less than a year old need to go through a different procedure as those whose passports were issued more than a year ago. How do you know when your passport was issued? It is clearly indicated on your passport along with your personal details.
If your american passport was issued within one year, then you will be required to submit the following documents: your current and valid passport, two recent color passport photos, and the legal document that shows your change of name. This will either be your marriage contract or a court order. What you will submit naturally depends on what’s applicable to you. Along with these requirements, you’ll also need to accomplish Form DS-5504. This is the form you fill in when applying for a passport name change.
Keep in mind that there are no fees to have your passport processed if it is less than a year old. However, there will be applicable fees should you decide to have the process expedited. Expediting your passport application can cut your waiting time from four to six weeks in routine processing to just two to three weeks. So if you need to have your passport sooner than later, then have your passport name change expedited.
What if your passport has been issued for more than one year already? You will have to follow a different procedure. In this option, you need to fulfill the following requirements: your current and valid passport, two recent color passport photos, the legal documents that show proof of your name change, which is again either your marriage contract or a court order.
However, instead of the DS-5504, you will submit form DS-82. This is the form that you use when applying for a passport application by mail. Also, you will need to pay the applicable fees to have your passport processed.
You have an alternative option just in case you don’t have the legal documents required in the previous two options. Once again, you’ll need to submit your current and valid passport, two passport photos, the completed DS-11 form, plus the applicable fees. Since you don’t have the legal documents needed to prove your name change, you will then be required to submit three public records with your place of birth. These records should indicate the exclusive use of your new name for at least five years. Once you have completed these requirements, you’ll then need to submit them in person.
When applying for a us passport name change, just make sure you are aware of the considerations you need such as the date when your us passport was issued, and the legal documents that show your name has changed.
Read This to Know How to Renew Your Expired U.S. Passport
December 20, 2009
Once your passport has expired, it is automatically invalidated. What this means is you can no longer use your passport for travel to destinations where a US passport is required. You’ll therefore need to have your passport renewed. There are several ways of going about this. But for starters, let’s begin with how to renew your Expired Passport by mail.
Renewing your passport by mail is what you need if you don’t have the time to visit your local passport office. Aside from that, it also makes it convenient to have your passport renewed instead of submitting the documents yourself. You just have to send the requirements by mail, and wait for it to be processed. That’s all you need to do.
Unfortunately, not everyone can have his or her expired passports renewed by mail. You must first meet the requirements for those who can do this: your passport should be in a good condition, your passport was issued to you when you were over 16 years old, and that your passport was issued during the last 15 years. Also, your current passport must contain your legal name. Otherwise, you will be required to legally document your name change.
What if your passport is damaged, or was issued more than 15 years ago? If you do not meet the requirements mentioned above, then you will have to submit all your application documents in person to your nearest passport office. This may be an additional step, but only to ensure that the passport is issued to the right applicant.
Passport renewal by mail applies to those in the US or to US citizens living in Canada. So if you are eligible to do this, simply download Form DS-82 online, and then complete it. You can either fill it in on your computer then print it out or print it out first then fill it in by hand. Once you have completed the form, you can then mail it to the passport office along with the other documents required.
If you are living outside the US or Canada, however, you cannot choose to apply for a passport renewal by mail. You will then need to visit your nearest US Embassy or Consulate for your passport renewal. Just provide them with the necessary requirements and they will help you process your passport. Keep this in mind just in case you are traveling to a foreign destination.
For your security, you should use a traceable method of delivery when sending your Expired USA Passport by mail. This ensures that it is only received by the addressee and nobody else. Also, make sure you use a durable envelope to keep the documents contained in it safe before processing.
Your application for pasport renewal normally takes four to six weeks to process through the routine application. That’s everything you need to know on how to renew your expired pasport.