Passport Tips for Spring Travel

If you’re planning to travel outside the US for spring break, it would be a good idea to double check the new passport regulations. Cruises departing from Florida, San Juan and California technically do not require a passport. However, it’s highly recommended. It takes four-to-six weeks to obtain a passport. Passport photos may be taken at the Castleton, Oaklandon and Fishers Post Offices.

As a former postal employee, I’d say most of the issues we ran into with passport applications — other than non-usable photos — were people not having the proper paperwork when they came to apply.  So I thought I would include a short “cheat sheet” to clear up the misinformation.

It’s easier to fill out the passport application while sitting at your desk at home as opposed to standing in line. Passport applications are available in the lobby of most post offices and libraries. They can also be downloaded from http://travel.state.gov/passport.

DO NOT sign the passport application until you are given the oath when you apply. I know it may sound ridiculously picky, but it has to be signed in the presence of the person taking the application.

Everyone applying needs their ORIGINAL, STATE ISSUED, birth certificate. This has the official state seal on the front. This is not the same document that the hospital gives when a baby leaves. The official certificate does not have your foot print on it!

All applications require a $75 fee.  This can be paid either by personal check or money order. A money order may be purchased at the post office with either cash or a debit card. The passport office DOES NOT accept credit cards as payment.

For child applications, both parents and the child need to be present. The few exceptions are if the parent is deceased, incarcerated or is no longer part of the child’s life — in which cases notarized forms will need to be presented.

If all the paperwork is correct, it only takes about 15 to 30 minutes from the time one arrives at the counter until you are out the door. Saturdays are the busiest time to apply for a passport.

The good thing about all of this is you don’t need to do it very often.  An adult’s passport is valid for 10 years if received after age 16. Children’s passports are only valid for five years. Luckily, after you’ve done the face-to-face passport application once, you can renew by mail.

I hope this has cleared up a few details about passports. Now everyone get busy finalizing those spring break plans. It’s time to leave the snow and cold behind for some sun and sand!!