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