Learn about the Passport Renewal Process

Learn about the Passport Renewal Process

A US passport enables a person to travel to other countries and re-enter the country as a US citizen. There is no need for US passport holders to submit any other proof of their citizenship. So it is important that this identification document is updated and renewed so as to experience hassle free international travels.

Purpose of US Passport

A person can possess only one valid US passport at a time. It is not a compulsory rule that a US citizen should hold a US passport, but it is a must if at all the person is planning to undertake frequent trips out of the country. US citizens did not require a passport to travel to Canada and Mexico, until recently. However they can now do so, only if they have a valid US passport.

The two formats of passport issued are the traditional passport book and the passport card. Passport book is small with a navy color cover. It resembles a small book and has many blank pages inside it. Passport card was introduced very recently ( in 2008 ). It is highly compact and resembles a credit card. Unlike the passport book, it has no pages and hence more convenient than the book. One major difference between the two is that the passport cards can be used only when a person travels to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean whereas the Passport books can be used during all international trips.

When should one go in for passport renewal?

When a person has a passport that is about to expire, he/she should go in for passport renewal. When a person applies for a passport renewal, he/she should submit the old passport in order to get it canceled, after which it will be returned. US passport is considered to be a property of the US government. (It has the right to revoke any person’s passport on valid grounds.)

When a person applies for a new passport, it requires to be applied in person. It is not so in the case of passport renewal. US passport renewals can easily be done through mail itself. A person can go in for passport renewal if his/her US passport

• is about to expire and is undamaged (so that it can be submitted along with the passport renewal application)
• was issued when the person was 16 years of age or older
• was issued within the past 15 years
• was issued with the person’s current name

A person can also go in for passport renewal in case he/she wants to document their name change legally.

Passport renewal process

There are two different situations in the passport renewal process.

• Passport Renewal from inside the US – Form DS-82 (Application for a US Passport by Mail) should be filed to renew US passport.
• Passport renewal from outside the US – US Citizens in Canada should file Form DS-82 to the address mentioned on the form; Others should renew their passports at their nearest US Consulate or Embassy

A person, whose US passport has been badly mutilated or damaged, cannot apply for passport renewal through mail and should apply in person only. Also if a person is behind on child support payments, then this disqualifies him/her from applying for a renewal of the passport.

It is recommended that all passport renewal applications and personal documents (for proof) be sent only by a traceable delivery method like UPS, FedEx or USPS (United States Postal Service). The applicants are also advised to mail their applications and supporting documents using a secure packaging so as to protect the contents from extreme weather conditions. The application and personal documents should not be folded and applicants should never use a standard letter envelope. Passports that are renewed by mail in the US should be mailed only to US and Canadian addresses.

Fee for Passport Renewal Process

The fee varies depending on whether the applicant is filing to renew either passport book or card.

• Passport Book and Card – $140
• Passport Book – $110
• Passport Card – $30

“If you are interested in learning more about How to Renew Green Card, Green Card Application, US Passports Renewal, Permanent Resident Card and Permanent Resident Card Renewal, Extension B2 Visa and other US Visas, visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Direct Services at http://www.ImmigrationDirect.com.”

A Guide to the Passport Renewal Process in US

The US Passport is a very important document, and the passport renewal has to happen regularly if one were to enjoy the facilities it offers. In order to travel between two countries, a passport is the most important document, and the State Department suggests to get it renewed at least 9 months before its expiry date. This time period is required to process the application and deliver the passport to the applicant, so that they can get visas when needed.

Pre-requisites for Passport Renewal

You can apply for a passport renewal:

• Only if you possess your passport in good condition.
• As passports of children cannot be renewed, you must have been 16 years or more when the passport was issued to you.
• You had the passport issued to you within the last 15 years.
• If you have changed your name legally by court order, marriage or divorce and can provide documents supporting your declaration to prove that the passport is in your current name.

It is only when you fulfill these requirements that you can apply for passport renewal. Otherwise you have to first apply for your initial new passport. Individuals below 16 years should be accompanied by one of their parents or a guardian for co-signing the application.

Steps Involved in Passport Renewal

There are two main ways of passport renewal:

1.Via Mail – To submit an application via mail, you have to fill Form DS-82 (Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail) which can be accessed online or picked up at a passport acceptance service, passport agency or some post offices. If you have your passport which is undamaged, issued within last 15 years, when you were 16 years of age or older, bearing your current name along with supporting legal proof of it, then you can apply by mail. Your current passport, two latest passport style photos, fees, and legal name change document, if applicable, must accompany the application form inside a padded envelope to avoid tampering of any sort. This packet should be mailed via a traceable delivery system as recommended by US Department of State.

2.In Person – When your passport is stolen, damaged or lost and you do not fulfill the requirements of Form DS- 82, then you need to fill Form DS-11, where the completed application must be signed in front of the Acceptance Agent – the agent who accepts your form. The in-person application process is similar to acquiring a new passport. Along with the form, two passport size photos, proof of US citizenship, and an acceptable personal identification document must be attached. Take with you photocopies of the front and back of all the supporting documents. Citizenship or naturalization certificate or birth certificates, etc can be submitted as proof of US citizenship. Similarly, current driver’s license, naturalization certificate or government or military ID can be considered as acceptable personal identification proof.

The normal time taken to process the application is about 4 to 6 weeks and if the process is hastened up, it takes 2 to 3 weeks for the passport to reach you, depending upon the number of applications received. Every time you renew your passport, you will be given a new number. The general fee for passport renewal is $110 and to expedite the service, you have to pay an additional $60 to the State Department. US citizens residing in Canada can use Form DS-82 to apply for passport renewal, whereas citizens of US staying abroad has to renew their passports at the local US Embassy or Consulate.

 

“If you are interested in learning more about How to Renew Green Card, Green Card Application, US Passports Renewal, Permanent Resident Card and Permanent Resident Card Renewal, Extension B2 Visa and other US Visas, visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Direct Services at http://www.ImmigrationDirect.com.”

USA Immigration – Its Benefits on U.S. Labor

Immigration to the United States has always been an important issue for the simple reason that United States prides itself to be a country of immigrants. USA immigration is a debatable topic in the present scenario. The only indigenous people in the United States were the American Indians. The early settlers came from Europe, by boat, to the “Land of Promise” either to escape famine or to practice their preferred faith. Nothing symbolizes more than the Statue of Liberty that epitomizes America’s status as a multi-ethnic or multi-racial society. USA immigration has offered a ray of hope to the aspiring immigrants to come and turn their dream into reality in the United States.

Restricting USA immigration would be like denying Americans their freedom of association. The discontinuation of USA immigration would lead to a monopolistic attitude that may deter progress.

The debate over USA immigration policy is expected to hog the limelight before the Congress and anti-immigration sentiment can impact any legislation that might favor lawful immigration.

 

The Advantages of USA Immigration on the US Labor Workforce

It might come as a surprise to many that the United States greatly benefits by allowing foreign nationals to immigrate to the US where they can live, study and work. For example:

• In its study, the Public Policy Institute of California found that immigrants who arrived in the United States between the years 1990 and 2004 have increased the wages of US workers by an average of 4%.
• In a survey conducted by the Immigration Policy Center in Washington DC, revealed that immigrant men between the ages of 18 to 39 had an incarceration rate five times lower than people born in the United States.
• It is a fact that immigration creates consumer demand that moderately benefits the middle-class. USA immigration has been a major contributor to the expansion of Hispanic and Asian-American consumer markets, which in the year 2004 was estimated to make up 12% of the national purchasing power.
• The economy of the United States is also stimulated by the influx of immigrants since most of them wind up starting their own business.
• One of the reasons behind the excellent and innovative quality of the United States workforce is the highly skilled immigrant population that contributes to the field of science and technology.

It would be a Hobson choice to debate on the pros and cons of USA immigration, but by large it should be accepted with open minds.

 

“If you are interested in learning more about Green Cards, Passports Renewal and Application visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at www.ImmigrationDirect.com“