Archive for February 28th, 2010
February 28th, 2010
That Mexican vacation is all booked and it is only one month to go until nothing but sun, surf, bikinis, and margaritas. Everything is planned, everything is taken care of, unless, wait…do I need a passport to Cancun? This question is not as simple as it seems, and although the answer is almost certainly yes, there are a few different factors to consider.
While it is not generally assumed that if a traveler is leaving US soil for any reason, they will need a passport. With Cancun being located in a foreign country, it would only make sense that a passport would be needed to go there. This is probably true in most cases, but there are still a few circumstances when a passport may actually not be needed.
Everything changed in regards to travel in June of 2009. The United States went from requiring nothing more than a driver’s license or birth certificate to cross back in from border countries to requiring passport documentation. This is a significant change and one that many people are still not fully aware of.
Anyone traveling to Cancun will most definitely need a passport. Since the new passport laws cover sea travel, logic dictates that anyone on a cruise to Cancun would also need a passport. However, there is one exception in the sea travel clause.
Travelers on cruises to certain international destinations are not required to carry passports provided that the cruise is deemed “closed loop.” A closed loop cruise is any cruise that starts and finishes in the same port or same port country. However, it is important to note that these closed loop exemptions only apply to cruises that begin and end in the United States, and only on cruises that visit certain international countries.
Approved international countries include: Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, and select Caribbean Islands. That being the case, a passport is not necessary for a closed loop cruise to Cancun. However, a closed loop cruise to South America would necessitate a passport.
Citizens have been screaming at Homeland Security from day one about these new rules, but they are in place to protect everyone. Cancun has always been a location that US citizens could pretty much travel to and from without any hassle. In all honesty, the hassles will remain minimal; there are just some extra security measures in place to make the borders more secure.
Having said all of that, it is still always better to have too much documentation than not enough. Obtaining a United States passport application to Cancun will give assurances that there will be no problems. In you do not want to get a regular passport, a passport card can be used instead. Regardless, anyone planning to travel would do wise to obtain a US passport sooner or later to avoid the long waits or extra fees that will have to be paid to get one on short notice.
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February 28th, 2010
There was a time when people thought that you had to be rich and famous to get express United States passport service, but that is hardly true. While there is no need to be rich, a few extra hundred would not hurt the cause. There is a price tag on everything and getting a passport quick is no different. For a price, a passport can be in hand in as little as a day.
To find agencies that can help with this service, put Google to work and find them online. It is also important to check the State Department site to make sure that all the current information is obtained. That is the one site that will definitely have the latest and greatest in regards to passport information.
Many of the features that the different companies will offer will actually be quite similar. It should really come down to price and preference. The preference should be anchored in finding out which company is reputable and registered as a passport agency with the State Department. These locations will be able to get a passport turned around in as little as 24 hours.
Some firms require that the traveler contact them by phone or email to reserve a place in their submission queue. The firm will then guarantee to submit the passport for federal government processing on the exact same day that they receive the application paperwork. Naturally, there will be requirements for the time of day receipt to the firm but the main assurance is that the documents will not be lost in a mailroom or stuck on a desk.
For those that are dealing with a lost or stolen passport, getting a passport for a minor or getting their first passport, they are still going to have to actually go to a government passport agency to present their documents. An express service can still be used, but the first stop has to be a regular office. Just let them know that you plan on using expedited services and they will seal the documents and allow them to be taken to the express service for processing.
There are certain pre-existing conditions that make it impossible to use an express service, or obtain a passport at all for that matter. First and foremost, being behind or owing back court-ordered child support will automatically kick a passport application. This is a fact that not everyone is aware is the law and it is unpleasant surprise to be rejected. Other issues that passports are denied for include: arrest warrants, being on probation and having an active court subpoena.
Expedited services can be quite attractive, but before jumping in with both feet, make sure the company has a good reputation and that they are registered with the State Department. The information that is getting handed over is about as personal and sensitive as it gets, so making sure they are legitimate is important. This is easy enough to find out as this information is all public knowledge.
When time is of the essence, express U S passport service is the perfect solution. Make no mistake about it, it can get expensive, but when the alternative is considered, the fees from a reputable USA passport agency are usually acceptable. For other people, they just want their passport in hand and cannot wait the 4-6 week typical turnaround of the government offices.
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February 28th, 2010
Getting a passport is not something that everyone considers. This is a mistake as a passport is great to have even if the person never leaves the United States. It is one of the most powerful personal identification documents that can ever be had and because of the length it takes to obtain one, it is best to have it just in case. Before heading to the local passport office, make sure you know the current passport requirements.
If the applicant has never had a passport or their last passport was issued over 15 years ago, get ready to head to the local office. Minors also always have to be present, as well as their parents. Anyone that has lost their passport of suffered the theft of their passport will also have to go in person to get a new passport.
Form DS-11 is the Holy Grail when it comes to meeting passport requirements. This is the document that contains all of the applicant’s key identifying information. While it is entirely permissible and advisable to complete the document before hitting the post office, do not, under any circumstances, sign it before appearing it person. One of the purposes of the in-person visit is to do a live signature in front of an official US government agent.
Come to the visit prepared with evidence of U.S. Citizenship. It is a required part of the interview process and all of the documents will be given back to the owner. Several items can be used a proof of citizenship with a certified or officially stamped birth certificate being the most common for first time participants. Other acceptable paperwork includes a certification of birth from a Consulate, a certificate of citizenship or a naturalization certificate. Submitting a social security number is also a necessity.
Anyone that has had their passport laminated for protection will have to get another one. This is absolutely forbidden and basically makes the birth certificate useless. The agent must also be able to see the raised stamp on the birth certificate. If that stamp in not present, they will send the applicant on their way to get another one. Everything will also have to be photocopied prior to arriving at the passport office.
A minor will always have to get their passport in person. All above documentation must be brought with them along with their parents. If the parents are divorced and sharing custody, they must both still be present. The only situations where only one parent need be present are when there is sole custody or a parent is deceased.
The parents will also need to have current ID with them. This is another must have as the agent cannot process the documents for the minor without the parents checking out first. If the parents have a passport, this is the best piece of ID that they can use. In addition to all of this documentation, two passport photos will also be needed for every applicant.
A passport can take some time to get, but this is mostly in part to the time that it takes to get everything together. As long as everything checks out, the process can go fairly quick at the USA passport office, especially if they work off of appointments. Knowing the U S passport requirements and having everything in order can make this a pretty quick day for the applicant.
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February 28th, 2010
The Samsung CLP 510n printer using Samsung CLP 510n toner is yet another winner for Samsung’s series of color laser prints. It follows in the footsteps of CLP-510s, but with extra speed, a faster processor and some minor hardware changes that have created an improved product.
Make no mistake that this printer is aimed at business. Probably for small to medium business that do not want to have to walk down to the printer shop every time a brochure needs to be made. As long as you are not expecting perfect photo quality you will love this beast.
This machine will meet all your expectations and more as long as you are not expecting Kodak picture perfect quality. It does not do that, but you simply would not expect it in an office color laser printer anyway. Having said that, the quality is great for anything but the most demanding projects.
What are the changes? Samsung has improved the speed of printing and upgraded the processing chip. Page per minute printing performance has jumped from 21 ppm to 25 in mono and from 5 to 7 in color. This is a significant improvement that impatient office workers will appreciate. The increase in printing speed is also felt when duplexing, which is a few seconds faster both in black and white and color. In case you were wondering what duplexing is, it is double-sided printing. If like me you like to save money and time and had trouble flipping and turning the pages to get it to work properly, you will appreciate this.
Another improvement is the processing power. The newer printer has changed its processor from a Power PC to their proprietary Samsung SPGPm chip. It is true that previous models like the 550s can hold over double the RAM memory, however you will not feel the difference, and if you do, you can always buy an upgrade.
The image quality is another selling point for the CLP 510n. It will not print photo perfect pictures, but it comes mighty close and is likely to surpass your expectations in an office printer. This is probably even a good thing if it is your business as there is less of a chance your employees are going to be printing their holiday snapshots on your paper and ink.
The cost of the printer is higher than what many are used to paying for a printer. This is because it is an office printer, and for a color laser printer it is actually cheap. Toner consumables are inexpensive compared to other printers, with color and mono going for around $120 and $100 respectively.
Samsung seems to have a great combination with the CLP 510n printer. It is very affordable, as office color laser printers go, the image quality is excellent and so is the speed. Businesses with this baby in their office should not have to spend much money at the printers unless they need a special job. The only disadvantage is that the quality of the printing and the colors are not the picture perfect quality we are used to from some specialized photo printers. Unless your business is printing pictures this is not going to be a problem. All in all, for price, speed and quality this printer is a great buy.
Everything else printed is perfect, however, largely due to the Samsung CLP 510N compatible toner used by this machine. Samsung Toner Cartridges always tops the charts in performance. Great toner shows on the printed page and that is a large part of the face of your business.
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