Posts Tagged ‘passport applicants’

Rush Passport™, Official US Passport Expeditors Makes it Easy to Get a Passport.

Friday, November 19th, 2010

Passport ExpeditorsRecent passport problems at passport offices are just another reason to come to Rush Passport™ for all of your passport needs.  Let Rush Passport™, official US Passport expeditors, handle everything.  Who needs the stress of waiting on long lines at the passport office only to find out that you failed to fill out the paperwork properly, your passport photos are not within the regulations or your identification is not acceptable?  Going to the passport office in person can be confusing, annoying and even dangerous!

Recently a “suspicious white powder” was found on a package in the mail room at the National Passport/Visa Center in New Hampshire.  A passport agency employee alerted authorities after finding the substance in the mailroom of the passport agency.

Everyone in the building at the time including passport agency staff and hopeful passport applicants were all evacuated.  It was later determined that the substance was not an actual threat.

Then in an unrelated incident in Tucson, Arizona a security guard was shot while leaving the US passport office.  It is unclear as to why the shooters chose to shoot the security guard or if there was any significance to the fact that the shooting occurred outside of the US passport office.  Witnesses say that two people in a late model Chevy Suburban opened fire on the 53 year old security guard as he left the U.S. passport office.   Thankfully, the guard, Russel Buchanan of Huachuca City was not seriously injured.

Getting a passport should not be a dangerous or stressful experience.  Rush Passport™ has an experienced and knowledgeable passport agency staff that is ready to assist you with all of your passport needs from passport photos to new passports and everything in between.

If you are a US citizen and you would like to know how to get a US Passport or US Passport Card or if you would like to know about how to renew your US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.

How to Get a Passport in 4 Easy Steps: Rush Passport’s Guide

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

4 Easy Steps to Getting a Passport

How to Get a Passport

How to Get a US PassportWhen planning a trip abroad, there is more involved than if you were staying within the US.  Getting a passport or visa is part of the deal.  If you are wondering how to get a passport, then you came to the right place.

In order to get a passport you must:

1.  Fill out an application for a passport. The application form (Form DS-11) can be found online and downloaded. Be sure to take this form with you when you go to apply at our NYC Passport Office.

2. You will need to have two passport photos taken. Rush Passport™ offers passport photo services as well.  There are certain criteria that the passport photos must meet.  Rush Passport™ follows the guidelines regarding acceptable passport photos.  Passport photos must be clear, frontal shots. Passport photos must show the top of the person’s head and must include the top of the shoulders. Passport photos must be taken with a plain white background.  People who try to save money by taking the passport photos themselves, but sometimes this can backfire if the photos do not meet the criteria.

3.  Passport applicants must bring proof of citizenship with them when applying at our NYC Passport Agency.  Forms of acceptable ID for passport applicants include an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, or an expired passport.

4.  Be sure to bring a form of payment to take care of the fees associated with your passport. These fees must be paid at the time of the passport application.

If you are a US citizen and you would like to know how to get a US Passport or US Passport Card or if you would like to know about how to renew your US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.

US Passport Card Allows Travel to Mexico and Canada. But, Do You Know the Restrictions?

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Rush Passport US Passport CardArizona has been in the news lately because of the passport controversy surrounding SB 1070 as evidenced by a past Rush Passport™ blog entry from July 2010.  This time Arizona is in the news for something passport related, but it has to do more with misinformation.

Getting a passport is not exactly rocket science, but it can be confusing.  There is a lot of misinformation out there and passport applicants can sometimes get stuck in red tape.

Making travel plans and trying to get everything in order can be stressful.  Getting a passport doesn’t need to be.  Some people don’t even know where to start when it comes to getting a passport.  Others find the question of how to get a passport puzzling.  However, when the clerk at the post office who is supposed to be handling your passport application is one of those people who finds the passport process confusing – it can present a major disaster.

This was just the case that a family from Highlands Ranch, Arizona experienced when they went to the post office to get their passports.  The family was planning a trip to Mexico, but found themselves unable to leave the US.

Lara Marxhausen states that she visited the post office to get passports for her and here family in preparation for their upcoming trip to Mexico.  Marxhausen says that the passport clerk suggested that she could save money by getting a passport card instead of the traditional passport book.

Marxhausen thought it would be a great way to save money and according to the clerk the passport card does allow US citizens to travel into Mexico.  This is correct.  However, the passport card is only good for travel to Mexico and Canada by land.  Unfortunately, the Marxhausen family found this out at the airport when they tried boarding the plane from Phoenix to Mexico.

Don’t make this mistake.  Be sure to read all passport application paperwork carefully – and when in doubt – speak with a passport expert.

If you are a US citizen and you are interested in getting an expedited US Passport to fill up with passport stamps or if you are interested in getting a US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent.  (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency.  Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.

Online Passport Applications

Friday, September 17th, 2010
Online Passport Processing

Online passports are really taking off in India.  The facility for online application introduced by the passport office has greatly reduced the amount of manual work necessary for the registration of passport applications.

Within 24 hours, they are able to nearly double the amount of passports being processed in half the time.  This is important because it helps people who have passport emergencies, need rush passports, need passports on the same day and travelers who have lost their passports, have expired passports or need passport renewal services.

The online application for passports not only saves time but has also reduced the need for the employment of extra staff at the Passport Office.   

Previously, the entire passport application filing work was done manually. Since the online passport system has been introduced, much of the work is completed online.

Passport officials at the passport office note that not only is work getting done fast, but the online passport registration has minimized the chances of the passport applications being rejected for inaccuracies.

Passport applicants not only file passport applications online, but they also get information regarding the status of their passport applications.  After online applications are filed, the passport applicant receives an online registration number that can be reviewed online.

Passport  applicants can also find out their passports were issued and received notification and reasons for rejection of their passport applications.

Currently, it takes 2-3 days after the application has been filed before they should visit the passport office.

If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent.  (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency.  Rush Passport™ : Expediter of Passports, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.

Passport Deadline Set for December 31st, 2010

Thursday, September 9th, 2010
Nigerian Passport

Nigerians are being urged to get the new electronic passports before the December 31st, 2010 deadline.  If not, they may not be able to use their existing passports to travel outside the country.

The current Machine Readable Passport, MRP will be invalid as of midnight December, 31st of this year.

Nigerian officials warn that failure to comply with the new passport regulations will result in travel outside the country being denied.  Passport officials are being instructed to challenge any MRP passport holders who fail to present the new electronic passports.

In addition, the Passport Office is requiring all foreign nationals in Nigeria to register biometrically.

Currently, most travel passports in the world are MRPs. They were standardized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and contain a special Machine Readable Zone or MRZ that appears at the bottom of the identity page in the front pages of a passport.

The information that must be provided in the zone include: passport holder’s name, passport number, passport holder’s nationality, date of birth, gender, passport expiration date and personal identity number.  Some countries also include optional, supplementary information.

A biometric passport or e-passport (ePassport) is a combination of paper and electronic passport.  Biometric passports contain biometric data used to confirm the authenticity of passport holders.  E-passports use smart card technology, a microprocessor chip (computer chip) and antenna (for both power to the chip and communication) embedded in either the front, back cover, or center page of the passport.

If you are a US citizen and you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent.  (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency.  Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.

Passport News Update: Passport Policy Changes in Effect September 8, 2010

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Passport News Update: The US Customs and Border Protection agency has announced two important changes to the Visa Waiver Program.  This policy change is in effect for foreign passport holders planning to visit the US.   

passport.com”>Passport Visa WaiverThe first change begins on September 8, 2010.  Business and leisure travelers who use their passports to enter the US will be charged a new operational and travel promotion fee of $14.00.  This fee will register passport holders for ESTA.  This is an electronic travel authorization that passport holders must get before boarding a plane or ship to the United States.  The ESTA application is to be filled out online prior to travel. Once approved, ESTA travel authorization is valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires. 

The second change, involves a transition to paperless processing for Visa Waiver Program travelers.  It applies to those passport holders arriving by air or sea who have already obtained ESTA authorization. Under the new automated process, if a passport holder is at a designated port of entry, the passport officer will stamp the applicant’s passport.  The passport holder’s departure from the US will be documented electronically.

Currently, thirty six countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program.  Those countries are:  Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent.  (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency.  Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.

Passport Application Backlog is Over

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

The Passport backlog in Ireland is finally over!  People who wish to get a passport can now expect to get a passport processed within 10 working days.

Get a Passport

Back in May in a previous Rush Passport™ passport blog entry, it was reported that there was a backlog of over 70,000 passports.  The passport team at the passport agency formulated a plan to alleviate the passport backlog and they were successful.  In less than 4 months, the passport agency has made a significant impact in passport processing times

Currently, there are just fewer than 25,000 passport applications in the system.  This number of passport applications being processed is considered to be within the normal range.

The recruitment of 50 extra temporary passport staff helped to expedite more than 68,000 additional passport applications over the past few months.

At the end of April there were over 69,000 passport applications awaiting processing.  As of June 17, there were still approximately 68,000 passport applications in the backlog.

At that time, passports were taking 4 to 5 weeks to process.  Now there is a 10 working day passport guarantee is being offered to passport applicants.

Today, with just 25,000 passport applications in the system, Ireland’s passport processing bureau should be seen as an inspiration to other countries around the world that are experiencing a backlog of passport applications.

The number of passports being issued daily is in Ireland is approximately 3,200.  Each year, the Passport Office processes over 650,000 passport applications.

If you are interested in getting a genuine US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent.  (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency.

Passport Service Fee Increase Effective Today July 13th.

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
The new cost of an adult passport is not $135 up from $100.  That includes a $25 administrative fee. Passport applicants under the age of 16 see an increase to $105 with the fee, up from $85.

Just in case you missed yesterday’s blog, I am sorry to report that the Passport fees have gone up effective today, July 13th.  Yesterday was your last chance to get a US Passport and save some money before the rate hike – and we tried to warn you… 

Just so you are prepared, the new cost of an adult passport is not $135 up from $100.  That includes a $25 administrative fee. Passport applicants under the age of 16 see an increase to $105 with the fee, up from $85.

Passport cards, which are valid for Americans traveling by land or sea on trips to the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico increase today as well.  Adult passport cards went up to $55 up from $45 and child passport cards increase to $40, up from $35. 

You can find a comprehensive list of all of the passport service increases by visiting the US Department of State Passport Fee page.

The US Department of State states that the passport fee increases have been made to cover the actual operating expenses that passport agencies incur.

Frequent travelers also should be aware of a new fee of $82 to add more pages to an existing passport for additional visas and stamps by immigration officers.

Who knows how much time you have before the next passport service fee increase?  Don’t procrastinate – there’s no better time than the present. If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Agent.  (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Agency.

Passport Hike Tomorrow! Get Your Passport Today!

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Passport fees are going up tomorrow, July 13th.  Today is your last chance to get your US Passport and save some money before the rate hike.  

Passport Rate Increase

Seriously!  Get that expiring passport renewed quickly.  The cost of an adult passport will go from $100 to $135, including a $25 administrative fee. Passport applicants under the age of 16 will see an increase to $105 with the fee, up from the current $85.

Passport cards, which are valid for Americans traveling by land or sea on trips to the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico are set to increase as well.  Adult passport cards will go up to $55 up from $45 and child passport cards are set to increase to $40, up from $35. cost more, too.

There are plenty of other passport service increases.  For a complete list, visit the US Department of State Passport Fee page.

The US Department of State states that the passport fee increases are being to made to cover the actual operating expenses that passport agencies incur.

Frequent travelers will also see a new fee of $82 to add more pages to an existing passport for additional visas and stamps by immigration officers.

Well, what are you waiting for?  If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Agent.  (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Agency.

Get a Passport in New Jersey Before the Rate Increase

Sunday, July 11th, 2010
New Jersey Passport

Now is the time to get a passport in New Jersey before the rates increase!  US Passport renewal fees and prices associated with applying for a new passport are due to rise starting Tuesday, July 13th.  Some county clerks in North Jersey have planned extended hours for passport applicants hoping to beat the deadline.

Passports for adults will increase from $75 to $110.  These increases apply to first time passport applications and renewals. Passports for children under the age of 16 will increase $20 up to $80. There will still be a $25 processing fee for new passports.

Passport renewals may be sent through the mail without a visit to the county clerk. As long as the passport applications are postmarked before Tuesday, July 13th, the $75 renewal rate will apply.

Passport services will be available at the county clerks offices in several counties around New Jersey.

Passaic County will be accepting passport applications on Monday, July 12th at the Hawthorne Municipal Building at 445 Lafayette Avenue from 5:00pm -7:00pm.

In Hudson County, the clerk will stay open until 7:00pm on Monday, July 12th to accommodate applicants for new passports. The county clerks office is located on the fourth floor at 257 Cornelison Avenue in Jersey City.

If you are unable to make it to any of these county clerks offices, you can always contact Rush Passport™ for all of your passport needs.  If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Agent.  (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Agency.