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passport tips and tricks
Local H Jay
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So for the first time in my life I will need a passport so I can visit my friend in Japan (yay!). I was wondering what kind of things I can do to expedite the process. I went to the website and did the little wizard and it looks like it will take me almost a month to get my hands on one? Which stinks because the plane tickets will only get more expensive as time goes on and I will need one to buy the ticket. Anybody who has been through the process, that can help me? Also my only valid ID is in terrible shape so I assume I'll want a new one before I go in for the passport? Also, the website directed me to an office in Houston (I am in Austin), do I really need to go all the way there with an appointment to get my hands on it? I am confuse, plz send help
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Passport card is good for land and sea travel in North America and the Bahamas/Carribean, NOT air travel
Then just fill out the application correctly, mail it in with your check for expedited service, and done.
I'd suggest getting it done at the post office because they don't reject those but they'll reject any of the drug store or self done ones at the drop of a hat.
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http://world.utexas.edu/passport
Which seems to be a pretty effective method, it says to bring all my documents and paperwork
We have to make sure that it will swipe in our scanners (if it's too damaged you can be denied boarding, or turned away at the customs of the destination)
just wait the extra time it takes for processing. the amount of money isnt worth the expedition unless its super important family emergency stuff.
and yes, you can get the ticket early, just make sure you allow yourself the window to receive your passport. As DaMoonRulz said. You *will* be swiping your passport when you claim your ticket at a kiosk, ticket booth, security, and before you board the plane.
With international flights they make super sure you have that passport or you'll be turned away at the door. If you are quick you can get a refund, or most likely a different slated departure date and time.
The passport card it worthless no one will accept it except Canada. Never get it. Just get the proper book.
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If you don't have the long form version (as I didn't), you need to order one from the state in which it was filed (where you were born). I was able to do that online, but it's a little extra money and time, so just be sure to factor that into the process if you need to.
It is $100 for 5 years and gets you in the fast lane for customs when you re-enter the country (you use a kiosk instead of having to stand in line and talk to a customs agent), also - and this is the big one - it gets you TSA PreCheck, which means you go in a different line at airport security and don't have to take your shoes off or have your genitals photographed or take out your laptop or whatever. PreCheck alone is $85, so it is a no-brainer to spot the extra $15 for Global Entry.
It is kind of a pain in the ass to get because the form is gigantic (although you fill it out all online) and you have to go in for an interview with a customs agent (mine took all of 10 minutes, and it wasn't really an "interview" so much as the guy explaining the benefits of Global Entry to me, which I already knew because those were the reasons I was signing up in the first place) but it is totally worth it.
You don't need to visit the Houston office in person but if you do you can get same-day turnaround on your passport.
If I remember correctly it takes ~3-4 weeks to get it otherwise with expedited service. I would go ahead and pay extra for the express (1-day?) shipping just because that way you get a tracking number and it's an important document you don't want to get lost or stolen.
I *think* you can buy a ticket without a passport, you just need a passport when you check in at the check-in counter (you cannot get boarding passes for an international flight with online check-in).
Getting your passport is pretty simple enough, there is an online form you can fill out and it's designed to be idiot-proof. It basically tells you exactly what you need to put in your envelope, all you have to do is follow the directions.
There are passport companies who will "rush" your passport for you (you give them power of attorney and they go to a same-day passport office for you) but unless you need the passport in a few days or need a visa with a foreign country very quickly this is a waste of money. Just go to the .gov website for passports and fill your stuff out there.
You should be able to get the ticket without the passport. I'm 90% certain the US will expedite your passport application if you can show that you have tickets to leave the country shortly.
Now that you say this, I remember this being the case. :^:
oh ok so I had my passport expedited, it was here:
http://www.austinpassport.com/
I remember expediting it requiring a vast sum of money, but I was 17 so I might not have had the best understanding of what constitutes "vast" when it comes to funds
Got it in 2 weeks.
They do the photocopying and photos for you in-house
I'd love it if you took a look at my art and my PATREON!
It was $100 for the passport, plus another $40 to expedite it, and then a small fee for them to take my picture there. Thanks for all the advice in here, helped me get all my stuff together quickly and walked in there knowing what to expect.