How to Renew Your Passport
submitted: 2008-04-14 13:41:07 |
by: TheodreTenretni
Total views: 45 |
Word Count: 466 |
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Passports are the most important form of identification used when you are traveling outside the borders of the United States. Chances are if you have traveled outside the US you have a passport, but if it's been 10 years or more, you may need to renew that passport so you can keep it up to date.
Very few countries have exceptions to the rule of needing passports to enter them. Only Mexico and Canada do not require passports for entrance, and that is only if you enter them either by sea or land. Otherwise, you will still need a passport to enter their borders if you fly into the country.
You needn't worry about getting your passport renewed, however, because this isn't as difficult a process as getting a new passport can be. Today, you can get your passport renewed without having to be in attendance at a passport acceptance facility - unless you choose to do it that way.
The easiest way to renew your passport is to do through the mail - a process which you can start online. If you navigate to the government's travel and passport web page, easily found in a web search, you can download any and all documents needed to renew your passport.
In order to renew your passport, it must have been issued in the past fifteen years. You also must have been at least 16 years of age when the passport was issued - while you could legally have had a minor status passport when it was issued, you may not have been younger than 16.
If you are renewing through the mail you have to make sure that your existing passport is not ruined, or destroyed beyond any and all recognition, because authenticity of the passport must be verified. If it is too mangled, you will need to apply for a new passport in person instead of through the mail.
Name changes on passports can not be processed through the mail. For instance, if you held a passport in your maiden name and got married and want to renew your passport - you will need to apply for a new passport in person at a passport acceptance facility. Other name changes follow these rules.
Sending in your passport renewal info is easy. You just need to enclose your application for renewal, your old passport and your passport photos. Those will be two identical 2"x 2" photos taken with a passport photo camera. You'll also enclose your renewal fee for the passport.
Wait times are long for passport renewals, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time before your trip when sending in your renewal forms. The wait is just as long as for new applicants, and is indicated on the government website. Be careful, as you don't want to hold up your vacation.
About the Author
Theodre Tenretni writes for TravelYeti.com, your travel information resource. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
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