If you haven’t renewed your American passport in 2007, it’s time to take care of it. Validity 10-year passport is about to expire, so it is expected surge of applications for renewal of passports in the second half of 2017.
Many travellers are also concerned about the need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic flights in accordance with the REAL ID act, which will be introduced January 22, 2018 and will include more stringent identification requirements.
<img src="/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/09/62992a7013165a264a002d16cdd719ec.jpg" alt="What you need to know about the renewal of passports” />
Although some upcoming changes more or less clear, others are rather new questions: do we need another form of identification for travel? How long will it take to get the renewed passport? And as a new design of U.S. passports and the increased security can prevent fraud and counterfeiting?
Why you should renew your passport right now?
«We’ve noticed a surge of applications immediately after the official announcement about REAL ID — reports Brand sprag, Deputy assistant Secretary for passport services Bureau of consular Affairs. — In 2016 year, there were 17 million requests for passport renewal. By the end of 2017 and in 2018 it is expected to 20 million requests — therefore, the most sensible solution is to renovate a passport right now, especially considering the number of people who eventually have to undergo this procedure, and the impending act of REAL ID act.»
Apart from taking into account the time and money spent to update your passport (process may take up to six weeks and cost $ 110 for an adult), you also need to consider the requirements for entry into other countries. For example, in 26 countries in the Schengen area of Europe (the list includes Spain, France and others), the State Department advises travelers to have a passport that is valid for at least six months.
How to renew your passport?
Before you renew your passport, read the guidelines on the website of the US State Department, which gives all the necessary information and serves as a «one-stop» shop. To obtain a passport, passengers will need a maximum of six weeks. You can find more than 8,000 points to receive passports across the country on the website of the Department among such points can be local libraries and post offices. In addition, you can renew your passport by mail. On the Internet you will find form DS-82 to apply for a passport renewal. In addition to the completed forms, you’ll need an identity card, confirmed the citizenship certificate, picture 2×2 inch and a contribution of $ 110 to citizens 16 years and older (credit card or cheque).
«Remember that the requirements for children are more strict,» the napominet Brand sprag, noting that the renewal process can be time consuming for minors under 16 years of age. Among the features of the procedure: the availability of social security numbers of the child and the form DS-3053, which serves as the statement of consent of parents of minors. In addition, for persons under 16 years of age applications for passports and renewals must be submitted in person. Keep in mind that passports for your little travelers are only valid for five years, so it is important to give enough time to update.
How to improve the passport?
In order to reduce fraud and improve national security in the redesign of the passport, a number of new features. In the first place is a machine-readable chip. Another major change: reducing the number of pages. Now in the standard version of the passport are not 52 pages, but only 28.
In addition to innovations which concern themselves passports, data processing is also improved. At many airports, including San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle and Miami, passengers can download the app, Mobile Passport, which allows to facilitate and accelerate verification.
