Travel Tips

So, you are finally getting around to going abroad, and seeing the world and all of the wonderful things that lie past our borders. So, you need to go get you passport, so that you can go! The passport process isnt difficult, but it does have a tendency to get complicated. Make sure you are prepared by following these easy steps.

First gather all the forms of identification they require. All passport applications require that copies be made of your personal identification. One of these must be a photo ID. You will also need a birth certificate with an embossed seal and signature. If youve had a name change due to marriage or divorce, bring those papers too. They need to make sure that you are you.

Before you go to apply for a passport make sure that you dont owe back taxes or more than $2,500 in back child support. If you do, you will be denied, and once you start the application it is going to get harder to fix it before your trip.

Speaking of before your trip; you should submit the application for your passport no later than 6 months before your expected departure date. The process isnt supposed to take that long, but the government wants you to cover your bases because they wont be liable if it takes them too long and you miss your trip. So, to avoid heartache make sure you get it in on time!

The paperwork you will need for applying for a passport for the first time is a DS-11. You can get this at a post office, library, online, or at a passport office. Fill it out in BLACK ink and PRINT CLEARLY. You were warned. Those things are important. Some passport offices will take pictures for you for a nominal fee, or you can print up your own 2in X 2in picture to bring in with you.

You can check the status of your passport by getting on the passport offices website, but dont even bother looking for 7 days. It will take them a whole week to even get your information into the computer.

After you submit your application it can take anywhere from 3 weeks to the full 6 months to get your passport back to you. But once you have it, you will be one step closer to jetting away!