Archive for February 1st, 2010
February 1st, 2010
There are many different reasons why you may chose to legally change your name, perhaps you just got married, or you prefer it for a professional reason. Regardless of the reason, you need to change your name on legal documentation, including your passport. There are steps you will need to take when conducting a passport name change.
A passport name change is just one of the legal documents that you will need to change. You will also need to change your licensee and your social security card. When doing this you will need to prove who you are and that you legally changed your name.
It is a good idea to keep copies of these original documents for future purposes. One example of why you might need these is the case of trying getting a drivers license in a new state. In many cases if you move you’ll need to prove who you were in order to obtain a license or ID.
There are a few different ways that a passport name change can occur. Which method you will need will be based on the time period that has elapsed since you originally obtained your passport. The length of this time period affects the fee required for the passport name change.
If it has been less than a year since you obtained your passport and you have legal documentation supporting your name change, then you will need to mail your current passport, a filled out DS-5504 application, and a photocopy of your marriage certificate or name change decree. You may also need to present two recent photos along with the documentation listed above.
The DS-5504 form can be mailed into the National Passport Processing Center. In this case there is not a fee for processing the passport name change. You will need to mail this form and the proper documentation to PO Box 90107 in Philadelphia, PA, 19190-0107.
If you have had your passport in excess of a year, then you will need to handle your passport name change in a different manner. DS-82 is the correct form for this process. This form will require a fee and also two recent and correctly sized color pictures. This form gets mailed to the address indicated on the application.
Be sure to provide certified copies of your marriage certificate or name change document. Notarized Photostatted copies are not accepted. If you don’t have the proper paperwork then you will need to acquire it before sending in the paperwork for the name change.
If you need your marriage certificate or divorce decree you can contact the record department for the county clerk of courts. Keep in mind that the American passport name change typically takes three to four weeks to receive your U S passport. You may attempt to speed this up by paying an expedite fee or contacting the office of your state Congressional representative if there is an immediate need for assistance.
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February 1st, 2010
Taking your first cruise is a thrilling prospect, and it’s a good idea to take in a few tips to make the most of your experience. First-timers sometimes don’t know what to expect on a cruise, so learning a few handy tricks can help everything go a little smoother. Take a look at the following tips, and consider them before you take your cruise.
A few things could take you by surprise. For example, bring along a small travel alarm clock; surprisingly, many ships don’t put these in the room as standard. Even if you’re headed to a tropical locale, it’s a good idea to bring along a cardigan or fleece that you can toss on over your outfits. You may find that the air conditioning is blowing too much for your tastes, and you’ll save yourself the inconvenience of buying one after you board. Be sure to pack your photo ID and travel documents.
It’s a good idea to bring a carry-on bag with you when you leave, with enough items to get you through your first day on the ship. Plenty of people will be boarding with you, so in case of a delay in delivering your baggage, you’ll be set to go for the day. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit! Don’t head right to the ship’s shops, though it is a tempting attraction. Window shop if you must, but be patient before spending money. Often there are sales and discounts that only begin after a few days.
Some cruise ships allow you to bring your own beverages on board (non-alcoholic), so check with your cruise company. Don’t be shocked if you see experienced cruisers wheeling up with a few 12-packs of Coke! You can save a lot of money by bringing your own soft drinks, instead of paying the premium price they tend to charge on board ships.
So now you have some quick tips to make your cruise as great as possible. Bon voyage!
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February 1st, 2010
Processing a passport through conventional methods can take up to six months. At the very minimum it will take six weeks. There is an extra fee charged that can speed the process up, but even then you are looking at three to four weeks. If you need to travel unexpectedly, then you may need a 24 hour USA Passport.
While this is far from being the norm, a 24 hour passport is not impossible. Before you plan to get yours back in 24 hours there are some things you should consider. The first thing you may want to keep in mind is that a 24 hour passport may cost you over $150, however, in certain circumstances this cost is of no importance.
There are services that are in business of expediting a passport. These services can be located via the Internet and are a possible alternative to traditional methods of processing a passport. There are several different time frames that these services will offer. Some services will offer two days, or three to four days, and they may also offer up to two weeks.
What you need to ask yourself is how much are you willing to spend and how badly do you need it? Naturally the faster it is processed, the more it costs. For this reason, you should have a definite idea of how soon you need it and how much it is worth to you to get it quickly.
There is a possibility that a 24 hour passport may not be available to you at all. There are some elements that can affect your ability to get a passport quickly. Whether you’re applying for your first passport, or if you are applying for a renewed passport, will affect how quickly you can get it. When processing a new application for a passport, you will need to appear in person at a passport processing location and have your signature verified by an authorized passport agent.
If you are renewing a passport, the process you have to go through is much simpler. Renewed passports do not require an authorized application and can be sent into the passport processing office through the mail. In order for a passport to be processed through the mail, all the information must be accurate. The passport cannot be damaged if you want to renew it in the mail, if it is damaged it needs to be replaced.
Where you are located can also affect the processing speed of a passport. The closer you live to a major city, the better your chances of getting a rapid return on your passport. Major metropolitan areas have regional processing centers. While the headquarters for the passport processing office is in Philadelphia, there are regional offices in Dallas, San Francisco, New York, and other major cities.
Living in close proximity to a passport processing center may make it possible to get a 24 hour passport. While passport offices prefer an appointment, you may be able to get one processed in the period of a day in the case of an emergency.
Even if you live in a rural area, it is possible to get a 24 hour American passport. Remember that there are U S passport expediting services that will process the passport application as quickly as you need. You will have to pay the price to get it in 24 hours, but anything is possible for a price. These services may even have the ability to have your passport waiting for you at the airport.
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