How to change the information on your US Passport before traveling abroad.

January 24th, 2010

Always bear in mind that your US passport is a proof of your identification that is accepted internationally by all nations. The moment you have received your new US passport or even got it renewed it is your duty to check all the detailed information on it. You have to ensure that all information provided are true or else you might have to get it rectified before planning your trip abroad to a foreign destination. The US passport is a legal document that is only handled by the Federal and State government so in case there is any change in the information, it needs to follow specific methods and channels.

In case there is any typographical mistake in your US passport then it certainly is possible to rectify it. To do this it is necessary that you fill up a DS-5504 form providing the correct information. You just have to be sure that you use only Black Ink for filling out the form in order for it to be accepted. Before submitting the form you have to be sure that all theinformation provided is correct. You also have to put the current date on the first page of the form and sign it before submitting. Always bear in mind that the actual submission of the form might just vary depending on the circumstances.

In case your US passport was just issued to you 90 days earlier then you can always mail the DS-5504 along with your original passport. You might also have to attach the document as a proof for getting the relevantinformation rectified. So if you need to change the name or address you might have to have attach the right address proof or the name proof like birth certificate or high school diploma. In case the passport was issued earlier than 90 days then you might also have to submit two photos along with the original passport. If there is an error made on you newly issued passport, there isn’t a fee to fix the error. The only fee that you would have is just shipping the incorrect document back to the passport facility.

If you have to change the name on the US passport it can be categorized into three different categories. You can change the name because of some error, due to different name in all other documents and change of name for most eligible applicants. In case you are changing your name then it is important that you might have to support your new request with a certification. The request can be made by presenting the court order or even your marriage certificate but you should submit the documentation along with the originalUS passport . You might also have to submit DS-11, 3 forms to prove that your assumed name has been used for more than five years or more. Under these circumstances you also have to submit two colored photos along with the originalUS passport. There is a fee that is charged for this procedure. If you are changing your name due to marriage then you also have to fill DS-5504 form along with a copy of your marriage certificate.

How to get a Chinese Visa with Your US Passport

January 24th, 2010

Most Americans like traveling to
China. But before you can travel you need to follow by strict rules and
the travel regulations. If you do not have proper documentation then
there is a chance that you might be denied border entry to China or
access to international flights. So even if you are have a US passport American citizens are required to obtain China Visa before traveling to
China. You have to keep in mind that the regulations certainly might
differ depending on the type of visit that you are planning for
(pleasure versus business). American citizens can obtain Visa for both
types on their validUS passport.

It is important that you hold a valid US passport. This is one condition that every international traveler must fulfill. Every piece of information on your US passport must be updated and current. When traveling to China it is important that your US passport
must have at least six months of its validity. So your passport must
have an expiry date that should be at least six months away from the
date you send it for obtaining a Chinese Visa. It is also important
that yourUS passport must have at least three blank pages for the visa. If your US passport does not meet these criteria then you will not be provided with a Chinese visa.

When trying to obtain a Chinese visa on your US passport it is
important that you provide with one recent passport regulation photo.
It needs to be two inches in length and width. You can attach either
color or black and white photos as they are acceptable. You have to pay
more attention to the background as it needs to be light in color or
white. There are a number of photographers who are aware of these
regulations. Avoid taking photos that are taken at home as these types
may always be rejected. Before submitting home made photos you need to
be very careful. You also have to obtain a visa application form that
is valid according to Chinese regulations. You just have to be sure
that you never leave any blank spaces on the application form as blank
spaces or incorrect entries will be rejected.

When submitting the form you just have to be sure that you don’t forget
to sign the form or it might not be accepted. You also have to submit
proof of departure along with yourUS passport as you have to prove that you are going to travel to China
in few weeks. You can always provide with your travel itinerary or a
copy of your travel tickets. Along with this it is advisable to submit
a copy of your hotel reservation. Beforetraveling to China you need to
pay the consular fee which generally may vary depending on the time of
your travel and you might also have to pay a return shipping fee.. You
can make the payment by credit card, money order or by check.

How to obtain your US Passport

November 24th, 2009

The fact is that whenever traveling to a foreign land it is important that you have a valid US passport. If you are a US citizen then you will find the written information relevant. Obtaining your US passport is only possible if you are a US citizen. The process for obtaining a passport is fairly straightforward, but there might be few complications in certain cases. It is possible for you to obtain an application form online. There are thousands of websites that might allow you to download the entire passport application form as a PDF file.

When trying to obtain your US passport you can never expect to get your passport processed online. Passports are issued after the process of verification is completed by the government authorities. You will have to get pictures taken for your passport. There are a number of photo studios and drug stores that will take your photos for your passport photos as well as some passport agencies. Where ever you go for your photos for a passport, always ensure that you go to a person who is qualified to take photos as the photos need to be a certain size and very clear. Anyone person who is sixteen years and older can always apply for a separateUS passport according to the Federal and State government rules. In case the applicant is under the age of sixteen, then it is important that both parents have to sign theapplication form and may have to get the form notarized.

In case you are applying for your US passport for the first time then it is important that you might have to apply in person. This condition holds true for a number of cases like if your expired passport is not with you. You might also have to apply for aUS passport in person if your earlier US passport has been expired and was actually issued to you at least fifteen years earlier. This is also true in case your previous passport was issued to you when you were under sixteen years of age. In case your currentUS passport is stolen or lost then you might have to apply for a new US passport in person as you might have to undergo the process of verification all over again.

In case you need to get it expedited, then you will have to spend little more money and provide with a self addressed stamped envelope for an express service to the passport office. There are chances that you might get your passport expedited within 24 to 48 hours or even a few days. It is always advisable not to sign the general passport application in absence of an official. The normal time for getting your hands on your US passport is eight to nine weeks but if you are ready to spend little more money then you can get it within three weeks time as express service. Once you get your passport you can travel to your heart’s content.

Book your Flights Now and Save

October 5th, 2009

Time to buy airline tickets is now says travel expert Gabe Saglie from Travel Zoo according to this article from the Associated Press “I think that definitely we saw this year an earlier than usual push for fall and winter travel,” Saglie said. “Before we were even talking about winter, airlines were talking about late December travel deals.” A number of airlines, including United, Virgin America, American and JetBlue have recently launched sales for travel from New York for as little as $49 each way, with departures as far out as Dec. 17. She went on to say

Low fares are prevalent now for travel through early winter, and Saglie said that waiting for them to get even better might not be the best move. Because the airlines expect more people to travel around the holidays, they likely won’t be as willing to dish out as many last-minute deals. Sure, some deals will come. But they might not be on the routes or times you want them, so if you know you’re definitely going to travel somewhere over the holidays, Saglie suggests you start looking soon.

A wave of fall and winter fare sales was launched late Monday, so it’s a good time to start shopping for those early deals. This will give you a good ballpark idea of what prices are now, even if you don’t choose to book right away. An even cheaper flight might be around the corner, as airlines begin to survey passenger demand in the fall season, but it isn’t likely that Thanksgiving or Christmas fares have that much farther to fall, Saglie said.

If you plan to leave the country you will need a passport. If you do not have a passport it can take up to 6 weeks to receive it by mail. Fortunately, there is an easier way to get a passport in a hurry. A private passport expediting service, like PassportKing.com, can hand-deliver your application to the Department of State for immediate processing.  There’s no need to wait in line or make an appointment, and your application can be processed in as little as 24 hours!

A better understanding of US Second Passport Internet Scams.

June 2nd, 2009

Presently there are thousands of people working over the internet who are trying to sell you a US second Passport, residencies and citizenships. The fact is that most of the companies who sell such services online are not be registered so it is important that you take precautions when dealing with such people. These people might be operating from a number of different locations around the globe like from some Island, anonymous corporation, or even from the South Pacific. The moment these people get your money there is the chance that the people will just disappear and you may never get your money back.

Always keep in mind that US passport can only be issued by the Federal and State government office and there are only 15 such office around entire United States in different locations. Always bear in mind that whenever dealing with any such firms or corporations you need to be sure that they are registered with the Department of State so you can be sure that government has performed a background check on them and that they are reputable so you can trust them for getting your US passport.

In you are working with any such firm that is in fact registered then you can always trust that you will get your US passport delivered on time. You can also trust that such firms can only get you true US passport and that you will never get arrested for traveling across the border illegally. A US passport is a very important document when you have to travel across international borders and so you have to be sure that each and every part of this document is true and legal so there are no hassles when you travel. Always keep in mind that lots of bad information is always circulating the world ofinternet . There are also a number of countries around the globe that have discontinued issuing Visa or passport to their citizens so in case you ever come across such website that claims that it can get you any passport and visa then don’t fall prey to their scam.

Whenever filing for your US passport you can also file for residency but there are certain criteria that you might have to fulfill and this can never be fulfilled over theinternet. Always avoid any such website that claims that they can get you US passport along with residency permit. There are a number of websites online that try attracting more number of customers by providing them with residency permit bait.

How your US Passport works for your International travel.

May 12th, 2009

In case you need to travel outside US to a foreign land then you literally need to get started with applying for a valid US passport. This is one of the main tasks before planning your trip. If you are planning for a vacation to see the world then you are required to hold a valid US passport. Your US passport is the only universally accepted proof of your identification.

Passports are documentations that have been with us for hundreds of years in the form of official documents or certifications. These are generally used to distinguish between a citizen and a traveler to maintain the security. Ever since 1915 it is required that every person entering or leaving United States should hold a valid US passport as a proof of identity. In the US passports are generally issued after you fill out an application form for a valid passport. These are issued to the citizens by different passport agencies in US located at Miami, Boston, Houston and Los Angeles by the state and Federal government.

You are required to show your US passport when planning to leave or re-enter United States by air, land or sea. The passport that is issued by the US government is generally valid for a period of ten years and are issued to adults, children and every one who is above 18 years of age. Once yourUS passport expires then it is required to get a new passport as a US passport cannot be renewed any time except on its expiry. The US passports are always upgraded so that new technologies can be used that are designed to thwart foreigners and counterfeiters. The government makes use of advanced printing technology so they can deter fraud. These technologies include using special printing inks andsecurity thread on your passport paper.

The government also makes use of one of the most advanced radio frequency identification technology or e-passport that is a special type of computer chip that is embedded on the back page of the passport. The chip is designed by computer and contains a digital image of you along with your biographical information and along with advanced face recognition technology for identifying. The data that is in the chip can only be read making use of advanced data reader that is present by the passport issuing authorities. This is a step forward in identifying frauds and fake passports. The best part of this technology is that in case the passport is closed then there are no chances of accessing the data from the passport chip. This feature maintains thesecurity of all information that is preserved in the chip.