| If there is some exotic locale in your travel plans for | | | | percent of the photo, so don't try to submit a |
| the immediate future, you'll need to pack more than | | | | full-length shot of your body. Have your picture taken |
| your toothbrush, suntan lotion and a favorite novel in | | | | against a plain background with no hat or dark |
| your carry-on bag. You'll need a United States | | | | glasses that could cover your face, and print the |
| passport, the all-critical key to successful travel | | | | picture on photo-quality paper to ensure clarity. If the |
| beyond U.S. borders. New government travel rules | | | | photo is too dark, your application might be rejected, |
| that went into effect in 2007 require that all U.S. | | | | and you will have wasted valuable time. 4. Make sure |
| citizens have a valid passport when traveling by air to | | | | you have your birth certificate. If you are applying |
| and from Bermuda, the Caribbean, Mexico and | | | | for your first passport, or if you need new passport |
| Canada. This legislative change resulted in | | | | and don't have your old one handy, you will need a |
| unprecedented demand for passports over the | | | | certified copy of your birth certificate as proof of |
| summer. In June of 2007, the U.S. State Department | | | | U.S. citizenship. All official birth certificates must be |
| reported that there were nearly three million | | | | processed through the city, county or state where |
| applications pending for passports, pushing the | | | | you were born. If you can't find your old copy and |
| turnaround time from the standard four to six weeks | | | | need new one fast, you can visit the vital records |
| to twelve weeks or longer. Don't let your travel plans | | | | office in the city where you were born, if you still live |
| get sidelined before they ever get off the ground. | | | | there, and request the record in person. Or, you can |
| To ensure your trip is smooth and delay-free, keep | | | | avoid the hassle of driving, parking and waiting in line, |
| these five passport guidelines in mind: 1. Be mindful of | | | | and simply order the record online through the |
| the expiration date. If you've had a passport for a | | | | company authorized by government vital records |
| while, take a moment to check the expiration date; | | | | agencies nationwide--VitalChek Network, Inc. a |
| you won't be able to travel if the date has already | | | | ChoicePoint company. With online expedited ordering |
| passed. If it expires after you leave, you may have | | | | services available at you have a safe, convenient and |
| problems being allowed back into the country. Also, | | | | quick way to get a certified copy of your birth |
| bear in mind that certain countries require that | | | | records at affordable prices set in conjunction with |
| passports be valid for three to six months after your | | | | the government agencies. 5. Carry a photocopy of |
| arrival. The exact amount of time varies, so contact | | | | your passport. What do you do if you lose your |
| the U.S. State Department or your travel agent for | | | | passport while you're in a foreign country? Report it |
| the entry requirements for your destination. 2. Apply | | | | to the local police in case it was stolen and contact |
| as far in advance as possible. The first six months of | | | | the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The more |
| the year are the busiest for passport agencies, so | | | | information you have about your missing passport |
| give yourself at least two months if you're ordering | | | | (the passport number, when and where it was |
| with regular delivery or three weeks for expedited | | | | issued, etc.) can help speed up the process of getting |
| service (add an extra $60 to your passport fees for | | | | a replacement so you can return home. Make a |
| expedited service). Traveling within 14 days? Make an | | | | photocopy of your passport before you leave on |
| appointment with the closest regional passport office. | | | | your trip and keep it in a suitcase or purse, just in |
| You can check the State Department Web site ( for | | | | case. You may even want to leave a second |
| locations or visit the trusted passport expediting | | | | photocopy of your passport with a family member at |
| services posted on 3. Take a clear photo following | | | | home for additional security. |
| passport photo guidelines. There's no need to wait in | | | | For almost 20 years, VitalChek has provided |
| line at a photo studio. Your local copy shop or | | | | Americans with official government issued vital |
| drugstore may be equipped to take instant passport | | | | records, including of birth certificates, death |
| photos at an affordable rate. You'll need two copies | | | | certificates, marriage records and divorce records. |
| (2 inches by 2 inches in size) of the same photo, but | | | | We do this as an official service provider for over |
| photocopies are unacceptable, even if you use a | | | | 600 government agencies in the United States. |
| good color printer. Your head must take up 50 | | | | |