Passport information

Passport Safety Tips

PROTECT YOUR PASSPORT

On your fishing trip out of country your passport is the most valuable document you will carry abroad. It confirms your U.S. citizenship. Guard it carefully!

It is your best form of identification. You will need it when you pick up mail or check into hotels, embassies or consulates.

When entering some countries or registering at hotels, you may be asked to fill out a police card listing your name, passport number, destination, local address, and reason for traveling. You may be required to leave your passport at the hotel reception desk overnight so it may be checked by local police officials. These are normal procedures required by local laws. If your passport is not returned the following morning, immediately report the impoundment to local police authorities and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

PASSPORT FRAUD

Law enforcement records show that U.S. passports are sometimes used for illegal entry into the United States or by criminals abroad seeking to establish another identity. This can cause embarrassment to innocent citizens whose names become associated with illegal activities. To protect the integrity of the U.S. passport and the security of the person bearing it, consular officers overseas have found it necessary to take precautions in processing lost passport cases. These precautions may involve some delay before a new passport is issued.

SAFEGUARD YOUR PASSPORT

Carelessness is the main cause for losing a passport or having it stolen. You may find that you have to carry your passport with you because either you need to show it when you cash travelers checks or the country you are in requires you to carry it as an identity document. When you must carry your passport, hide it securely on your person. Do not leave it in a handbag or an exposed pocket. Whenever possible, leave your passport in the hotel safe, not in an empty hotel room or packed in your luggage. One family member should not carry all the passports for the entire family.

I need my passport in a hurry!

Passport Expedited Service

Cost, in addition to regular application fees, is $60 per application plus overnight delivery costs.
Two-way overnight delivery is strongly suggested.
If you submit Form DS-82 by mail – clearly mark “EXPEDITE” on the outside of the envelope.
We strongly encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method.
Additionally, in order to protect the contents of your mailing from the elements throughout the delivery process, we encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope.
Anyone may request expedited service for any type of application (e.g., first-time applications, renewals, amendments of existing passports, etc.) See:

• How do I change my name on my passport?
• How to add extra visa pages to my passport?
• How do I apply to renew my passport?

Please note, passport applications sent together or at the same time do not necessarily remain together.
Your passport book and/or your passport card may be mailed separately from your returned citizenship evidence.
See http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html for current processing times.