U.S. Passport Services – Expedited or Standard? | Air Show Unlimited

Passport Services

I remember the first time I was invited to go on a trip “over seas”. I was about 21 and a friend asked me to go to London with her. I looked at her with amazement wondering if this possibly could be true. What was worse was what if it was! What did I have to do to get there? OMG I needed a passport! This was in the 70s and we didn’t have the luxury of the internet or even the U.S. Postal Service to help us with such things. After going to a professional photographer for my passport photos, getting my birth certificate out of my mother’s safe deposit box and then going to New York to fill in the application, I waited patiently for almost three months to finally receive my “ticket to heaven”. At long last, the day had arrived. It came in a brown envelope which was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen for inside was my United States PassPort!

Those days are long since gone and in many ways, good. You can now get a U.S. Passport directly on the internet via an online application. If you’re really in a hurry, you can even get it with a 24 hour turn-around service! Frankly, I think everyone should have a passport. It’s your right as a citizen and almost a badge of honor. I remember while in Egypt not long ago, I was asked to surrender my passport to the hotel. I refused. When they asked what my problem was, I told them that my passport was more than my identity. Iit was my freedom, my heritage, and my way back to my home. I was not going to risk someone stealing it or copying it or any other thing. I would watch and wait if they had to verify it. So they agreed. Keep that in mind during these disturbing times. Don’t lose sight of your passport!

In order to get your U.S. passport – either new or as a renewal – it really is quite easy. You can go to the US Postal Service and apply. You can go to their web site and see if there is a passport app service near you. Usually, for an additional $15.00, they will facilitate your photos there as well as the application. Make sure you check with them before going over there as some of these service locations require an appointment. The charge for a traditional U.S. Passport book (new) is $100.00 and can take up to three months to get it. If you want a “rush” put on it, you can ask for the Department of State’s Expedited Passport Processing Service. This will cost an additional $60.00 and the turnaround times vary. At the time of this writing, the turnaround is 5 to 7 days. If you want it Express Mailed back to you, you’ll have to pay for that as well.

Alternatively, you can now use one of the fantastic online services. The RushMyPassport.com service will issue:

New Passports

Lost/Stolen Passports

Passport Pages

Passport Renewals

Child Passports

Name Changes

What’s even better is how easy and fast it is! They will tell you exactly what paperwork they need and how to supply it to them. If you need it super fast, you can get that service as well. Here is what they offer:

24 Hour Service – One Business Day – $299.00 plus Government Fee

Next Day Service – Two Business Days – $249.00 plus Government Fee

Priority Service – 3 to 4 Business Days – $199.00 plus Government Fee

Rush Service – 5 to 7 Business Days – $149.00 plus Government Fee

Standard Service – 8 to 12 Business Days – $99.00 plus Government Fee

However you decide to apply for your passport, be sure to treat it properly. Don’t leave it laying around where anyone can pick it up! Use it wisely and have a great time on your trip!

For more information on an online passport application, click here.

Please visit us on the web for more information and services about travel: www.DecidingOnAHotel.com

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Passport Services

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