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