Tagged: passport

12 Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft When You Travel, According to Experts

Cases of identity fraud are at an all-time high, and all too often, it’s tourists who are at risk. The amount of personal information we’re asked to hand over when we’re traveling is…

Can I Fly Without an ID? TSA Rules for Lost or Stolen ID Cards

Needing to catch a flight after your ID has been lost or stolen is a scenario stressful enough to panic the coolest of cucumbers, especially if you're away from home and don't have…

Wait Times for U.S. Passports Haven't Been This Short in Years!

In the first half of 2021, the United States State Department had an epic backlog of 2 million passport applications. As the Biden Administration began, the wait time for a new…

Online U.S. Passport Renewal is Now Fully Available! Here's All You'll Need

The U.S. State Department has announced that passport renewal via its website is officially open as of Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Until now, when a U.S. passport expired or was…

When to Start a Renewal of a U.S. Passport

Although the event didn't get a lot of attention at the time, in December 2021 President Joe Biden signed a new executive order that will allow Americans to renew their passports…

Say Goodbye to Passport Stamps in Europe: New Entry/Exit System Starts Soon

Update, October 11, 2024: Authorities announced they will not meet the November deadline, and implementation of EES is delayed.  The European Union's executive arm, the European…

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport or Visa

Last updated April 6, 2022  Jump to: First-Time ApplicationsJump to: RenewalsJump to: Passport CardsJump to: FeesJump to: Passport AgenciesJump to: Passport & Visa Expeditors All…

How to Get a Copy of Your Birth Certificate for Travel

If you love to travel, sooner or later, you will need to show a government official your birth certificate to prove who you are. Birth certificates can unlock the ability to travel…

The Best Cruises You Don't Need a Passport For

If you’re among the 52% of Americans without a passport, you might think that taking a cruise is out of the question for you.  But that’s not true—and we’re not only referring to…

Online Passport Renewal is Back in the U.S.! Here's How to Get In On It

All right, Americans. Ready? This is online passport renewal, take two.  The U.S. State Department today announced that it is once again accepting applications for online passport…

U.S. Passport Wait Times Are Back Under Control. How Long Will It Take Now?

A year ago, as the U.S. government continued to climb out of the bureaucratic hole that Covid-19 and staffing woes had dug, the wait time for a new passport was as long as 13…

If You Need a Passport by This Summer, You Could Be in Trouble: What to Do

Ever since March, the U.S. State Department has warned that the wait time for a new passport in 2023 is 10 to 13 weeks.It's now May, and that estimate hasn't changed. That means if…

Passport Wait Times Go Up Again: Here's Where They Stand Now

The U.S. State Department seems to be having a crisis of sorts—the wait for passport renewals and applications rises by the week.Two weeks ago, we warned you about a processing…

Can a Hotel Front Desk or Cruise Hold Onto Your Passport?

The answer, in many places, is yes.  Sometimes hotels may legally demand that you hand over your passport when you check in. "In some countries, hotels may be required under local law…

Need a U.S. Passport in 2023? Wait Times Are Rising, so Here's What to Do

If you've been meaning to renew your passport or get a new one, you're not alone. The dysfunction of the past few years has created a backlog of travelers who, because they couldn't go…

8 Things You Should Always Pack in Your Onboard Personal Item for Air Travel

To avoid checked baggage fees and the risk of an airline misplacing your luggage, it's smart, when you're packing for a flight, to limit yourself to your airline's carry-on allowance.…

How Fast Is the USA's New Online Passport Renewal System? I Tested It.

In 2022, the United States federal government came through with an improvement that travelers long begged for—the ability to renew a passport online. Previously, when a passport…

Online Renewal of U.S. Passports Reopens for a Limited Time

Update: The portal for renewing U.S. passports online has reopened as of October 11. In September, the window was open for less than two days before slots filled up. After October's…

Can I Use a Driver's License to Drive Into Mexico or Canada?

In the past, it was possible for U.S. citizens to drive into Mexico or Canada using only a standard state-issued driver's license and birth certificate. That has changed. The U.S.…

Can't Get Global Entry? Skip Airport Lines with Mobile Passport Control—It's Free

With airports busy again, travelers are seeking ways to dodge cumbersome lines. Some of the worst queues stack up at the Border Protection desks at entry points to the United…

Sharp Price Increase for U.S. Passports Announced

Looks like inflation is also hitting government fees. This week, the U.S. State Department announced that the cost of a passport will go up by 13%. Beginning December 27, a new…

Scam Alert: Passport Processing Swindles Are Booming

We've been warning you about the immense backlog of passport applications facing the U.S. State Department—up to two million people are now reportedly waiting for processing. It…

The Best and Worst Passports on the Planet, By Cost and Power

Fewer than 50% of Americans have passports—a surprisingly low percentage. Some people blame the price of the document, which is currently $145 for a new application or $110 to renew. A…

This Year, You Finally, Really, Truly Need Real ID to Fly

Update, April 27, 2021: Guess what? The government delayed Real ID yet again. Click here to read about the new deadline.We really mean it this time: Real ID becomes mandatory at U.S.…

Do I Need a Passport to Cruise?

Surprisingly enough, there's a loophole that lets American passengers soak in the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean and other destinations without a passport. You don't need a…