Check your passport. You can renew by mail if you:
• • Already have a passport that is not damaged; and
• • Received it within the past 15 years; and
• • Were at least age 16 when it was issued; and
• • Still have the same name as in passport (or you can legally document your name change).
Note: Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip and/or have two to four blank visa/stamp pages. Some airlines will not allow you to board if these requirements are not met.
As of Jan. 23, 2007 a passport is required to re-enter the United States by air when traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. And you better sign up quick to avoid the backlog.
The USPS (United States Passport Services) advises allowing two months for processing passport applications. Although Normal lead time is about six weeks, expedited service costs an additional $60. However, with the new changes, backlogs may occur and longer wait times may rule.
By 2009 the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (exact dates not firm), that requirement also will be in effect for those going by land or water.
Here are the other basics requirement you’ll need to check:
• • Proper proof of American citizenship. This must be a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state; a previous U.S. passport; a certificate of citizenship or a naturalization certificate. A hospital-issued birth certificate alone is not acceptable.
• • Proof of identity. This must be a previous U.S. passport; a naturalization certificate; a certificate of citizenship or a current valid driver’s license, government ID or military photo ID.
• • Two recent identical photographs of the applicant. Passport photograph services are available for $15.
• • To save time and to make sure to you have everything, download a passport application by going to www.usps.com/passport and complete it beforehand.
• • All applicants must appear in person (including minors). Applicants younger than 14 must appear with both parents. If one parent is not available, a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required.
More information is available at www.usps.com/passport or by calling (800) ASK-USPS. Additional info is at www.travel.state.gov.
Bring cash, checks or money orders. Credit cards are not accepted. With checks or money orders, two are required (one for $30 to the USPS, another for $67 for the State Department). For those 15 and younger, it’s $30 to USPS and $52 to the State Department.