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Secrets About A U.S. Passport Name Change

February 15th, 2010 No comments

The process required for obtaining a passport has become more complicated and comprehensive than ever before. This has happened in part because of increased border security measures that have been put in place since the attacks of September 11, 2001. These new regulations are making some people hesitant to apply for a passport or for changes to their passport, but something like a passport name change does not have to be daunting.

Passport name changes and other minor changes can be quite simply made by just filing out the proper forms and, in some cases, paying a small fee. The majority of changes that are made to passports do not require a fee. Passports and changes to passports can be quite inexpensive because generally a fee is only needed for certain changes and expedited service.

One of the most common changes that people have to make to their passport is when it is sent out or printed with the wrong information due to a printing error. This is a simple change that can be made at any time during the valid years of the passport. This is a change that requires no fee be paid and it requires only the DS-5504 form. This form can be picked up at a post office or printed from the website. It can also be returned via mail or turned into a postal employee at the post office.

It is also quite common for people to need a U.S. passport name change for reasons other than printing mistakes. Often an individual will get married or undergo a divorce after the passport is issued and for this reason they will need a name change. This is normally a free service, but for expedited processing a fee of $60 will be added. The DS-5504 form should be used to apply for this change if less than one year has passed since the passport was issued. It is simple to print this form from the passport website or to simply grab one when you next visit the post office.

If it has been more than one year since your passport was issued and you need a name change, there will be a small fee for the service. Expedited service will add $60 to this fee. The DS-82 form will be required for this sort of passport name change. You can fill this form out at the post office and pay the fees there or you can fill out the form and mail it with the fee included.

If additional Visa pages are needed to be added to your passport there is no fee and this change can be made anytime as long as your passport is valid. This is a free change in general, but if this change must be made fast the $60 expedited fee will be added. It does not matter how much time has passed since the passport was issued, but the passport must still be valid.

It costs about $120 to apply for and have a passport issued today. A passport can be processes quickly if the $60 fee for expedited service is paid. Another $60 may be added if the applicant cannot prove citizenship and the government must verify citizenship. These are relatively small fees, but they can add up if many unique services are needed.

Most changes to pass ports are free of charge and can also be processed quickly if needed for a small fee. Although it has become a bit more complicated to acquire a U.S. passport name change, it is still relatively easy to make changes to one.

What are the New Travel Laws regarding Passports for Canadians Traveling to the US?

November 5th, 2009 No comments

Since the tragic events of 911, there have been many changes to the laws when traveling from Canada to the United States. These changes are designed to enhance security between the two countries. When a Canadian travels to the US, they should be aware of the new travel laws regarding Passports.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is one law that Canadians should learn about. It is a US law mandating that all travelers, including US and Canadian residents, provide a passport or other approved secure document when entering the United States. This law applies to all travelers, including children.

Canadians who travel by plane to and from the United States must provide one of the following documents: a passport or a NEXUS card to be presented at all U.S. airports when coming back to Canada. For example, if a Canadian travels to the US by vehicle, but returns to Canada by flights, a NEXUS card will be required before they can board the flight.

When Canadians enter the United States by land or water, they are mandated to provide ONE of the following documents: a passport; a NEXUS card, a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or enhanced identification card, or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status.

For Canadians under the age of 15, they must provide verification of their Canadian citizenship, such as an original or a photocopy of a birth certificate, or an original citizenship card. Canadian citizens 18 years of age or under who are traveling with an organized group may provide proof of Canadian citizenship only. This makes it easier to make school trips to the US.

There have been some concerns about meeting all of the requirements so the US has provided some flexibility on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) law. However, the Canadian Government warns that the extent of this flexibility is the decision of the U.S. officials.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative was created after the implementation of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA). This act mandated that every traveler have a passport or other approved document that proves one’s identity when coming into the United States. The purpose was to help the Department of Homeland Security identify a traveler quickly.

As of August 15, 2007, the Canadian Government has implemented measures to make renewing one’s passport easier. The Simplified Passport Renewal Program permits Canadians who meet specific eligibility criteria to renew their passport using a less complicated form and without submitting such documents as proof of citizenship, supplementary identification, and a guarantor declaration. Under the renewal program, one will just need to submit the small form along with two new photos, the application fee, and their last passport. As well, Passport Canada enacted a simpler guarantor policy, which allows most adult Canadian passport holders to act as guarantors for first time applicants.

In order to avoid any travel disruptions, before Canadians travel, they should be aware of the entry requirements for the United States.

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