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