Your passport is your most important travel tool. If you don’t have a passport, it limits most of the world from you. The demand for passports is at an all-time high due to the pent-up demand for travel. Also, the wait times for a new passport or passport renewal have been lengthy since the beginning of Covid-19. However, don’t worry with a little preparation you can make sure that you have your passport for your next getaway. Also, it is important to know what to do should you need a name change on your passport or you lose it.
I suggest always having a valid passport, even if there isn’t an international trip planned in the near future. When I was a flight attendant for World Airways, I always had my passport ready to go. I did have to get emergency passports issued a couple of times due to expiration and needing more passport pages. It was a lot easier to get a passport quickly before Covid, but we still have some good options. The best thing to do is after reading this go and check your passport. Is it expired, or close to being expired? Each country has a different entry policy on the validity of your passport; however, it is best to practice the six-month rule. You want to make sure your passport has at least six months from the time your next trip is set to return.
If you are renewing your passport you can mail in your application along with your current passport. However, if this is your first time applying for a passport or your passport was lost or stolen, you will need to apply in person. You can check for a location and schedule an appointment. The location could be a post office, library, etc.… Passport Processing Locations
Passport Procedures for normal processing
If you are to travel internationally beyond three months, you should be able to rely on the regular process to receive your passport. The current processing times with the State Department are from 8-11 weeks. However, you need to consider it could take at least a week, possibly two, to arrive and start processing and it could take another week or two once complete to make it to your door. I am a worry wart so I probably wouldn’t rely on this method unless I had at least a 4–6-month time frame before my next trip. The cost for a regular passport is currently $130 for a renewal or a new passport. If it is your first passport you will also have a $35 execution fee. Processing Times
Expedited Passport
If you are traveling within 2 months, you should be safe to have your passport expedited directly through the State Department. However, keep in mind the mailing time. The cost for an expedited passport is an extra $60. You can also pay for express mail for a cost of $19.53 and that will cut down the delivery time.
Urgent Passport
The final option that is available through the State Department is to expedite in person. The in-person option has two stipulations. The first is that your travel must be within 14 days. The other stipulation is that you must travel to one of the passport centers. You will first need to call the State Department passport agency at 1-877-487-2778 and schedule an appointment.
The $60 expedited fee also applies to the in-person application but no additional fees, besides the $130 fee ($35 execution fee). Urgent Passport Information
Passport Service Companies
If the above options do not work for you and you need a passport urgently and you can’t make it to one of the passport agencies, you could use a passport service. I have used CIBT in the past and I highly recommend them. You can reach them at 877-304-8071 or visit CIBT Passport Assistance. Please make sure to mention that you were recommended by Jennifer Dennis of Travel Planners International. They are also a great resource for international visas.
Lost or Stolen Passport
So, you have your passport, and it is valid, and you think you are good to go. If you find out it is lost or stolen then unfortunately you will need to go through the process above, again. You will need to go into a passport processing center, passport agency, or use a passport service provider. I suggest making a few copies of your passport and placing them in a safe place and in your carry-on luggage while traveling. If your passport is stolen or lost while traveling abroad, you will need to contact an embassy or consulate for an emergency passport Lost or Stolen Passport Abroad. You or a relative can also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 and they can get you in touch with the closest embassy or consulate. If you do have a copy of the stolen/lost passport it will assist in expiating the new passport.
Change or Correct a Passport
If you need a name correction on your passport there are different procedures that you must follow depending on the nature of the name change. You can find detailed information on the State Department website Change or Correct a Passport If you have recently had a change in marital status and you have a new last name, the best thing to do is make sure that your airline ticket matches your passport.
So, if you don’t have time to apply for a new passport, just make sure the airline ticket and passport match and you will not have any issues. You can just apply for a new passport when you return from your travels. If you do accidentally book your airline travel under the wrong name, you will likely have to pay a name change fee which could be anywhere from $100-$250 or some airlines don’t even allow name changes. So, make sure your name on your passport and airline ticket match, and this includes your middle name. If your passport only has a middle initial, then that is what needs to be on the airline ticket.
Travel doesn’t need to be stressful and one of the most important things you can do is be prepared and have the necessary tools you need. Your passport is one of your most valuable tools, so make sure it is up-to-date and correct. Luckily, passports are good for 10 years, so it is something that you don’t need to constantly worry about, but just make sure you get it renewed in time for that next adventure.
If you have any questions about your passport or need assistance in booking your next adventure, please reach out to me and I can assist. When you use a travel agent it helps alleviate some of the stress, so you can sit back relax and enjoy the journey.