Getting your Passport:
One of the first things I tackle when someone asks me to plan an international trip for them is…passports. A big focus of the travel side of my business is helping people take trips they never thought possible and when you don’t think a trip is possible…you don’t usually bother with getting a passport.
US Passport Application Process:
So if that’s you…here are a few pointers:
- Even if you don’t have a trip planned…get your passport now. Like right now…I’ll wait.
- The thing is with wait times varying depending on what’s going on in the government, it would be better just to get it done ASAP. I mean…you never know when you’re going to have to leave the country in a hurry. ; )
- The application can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/forms.html
- Go to CVS and tell them you need a passport photo. Like $10 bucks later, they’ve sized and printed your pics for you to the specifications on the application.
- Here’s the part that gets everybody…if you were born in the US you need your birth certificate. Easy right? Wrong. After 9/11 they changed what they need to see on your birth certificate.
- It needs to have all of these on it:
- Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
- Lists applicant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth
- Lists parent(s)’ full names
- Has the signature of the city, county, or state registrar
- Has the date filed with the registrar’s office (must be within one year of birth)
- Has the seal of issuing authority
- To get an updated copy of your birth certificate: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm
- See what I mean about not waiting to get your passport? This step can take a while and we haven’t even sent in the application yet.
- It needs to have all of these on it:
- Next, you’ll need to make an appointment at an acceptance facility.
- Find your facility here: https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/
- I just went to my local post office.
- Depending on where you go will determine how you pay for your passport.
- Find your facility here: https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/
- Now…we wait. Right now, they’re saying 10-12 weeks to receive your passport but that’s not counting however long it takes to get your new birth certificate so as I said earlier…GO NOW!
Okay, so let’s say you don’t have to worry about getting your passport because you have one already and know when to renew it, etc. You’re a world traveler and want to cut down on the hassle of going through US Customs when you arrive back in the states. Global Entry could be what you’re looking for…
What is Global Entry:
With Global Entry, you also get TSA PreCheck which gets you through security faster so you can get to the lounge quicker! Bonus! Here’s some info about Global Entry as I’ve experienced it:
- One of the perks of my Chase credit card is that they cover the fee for Global Entry. I know there are a couple of credit cards that do this so look through your benefits list before forking out the $100.
- Fill out the application here and get way more info about the program: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/how-apply
- Once your application is processed, you must schedule an in-person interview. I did mine at the Philadelphia Airport. Very low-key conversation with a CBP officer. Then you get your fingers prints scanned and a picture taken and you’re done!
- Global Entry is part of the “Trusted Traveler Program” which you should take very seriously. They are essentially saying that you’re a low-risk traveler that knows what they’re doing as far as re-entering the country and you can be trusted.
- When I was returning from Portugal, a guy was being lectured by the customs officer that “as a Global Entry holder he’s expected to know better than to bring in [whatever they found in his bag]”. Yikes.
- How it works when you come back home is:
- You don’t have to fill out the form they give you on the plane.
- You go to a Global Entry kiosk to answer a couple of questions.
- Depending on what you’re declaring/not declaring you walk on out.
- You may still need to stop to talk to an officer and potentially get your bags scanned but it’ll still be faster than waiting with everyone else.
- My thoughts:
- My advice about going through customs period is to always say you have food. Inevitably there will be a granola bar in your pocket from the plane that will make a liar out of you every time.
- It never hurts to do a quick google search on what you’re allowed to bring back from wherever you’re headed.
- Having Global Entry is great as a solo traveler but does nothing for my traveling companions/family. So when I travel with someone else, I don’t use the kiosks and wait in line with my friends.
- There are other programs out there like Clear and Mobile Passport that I’ve heard good things about but I only have experience with Global Entry. So do your homework before you make a decision.
Bonus Round: US Pre-Clearance!
One of my favorite things in the world (an exaggeration… that you will learn to spot the longer you’re here) is US PreClearance. These facilities are only available in 6 countries currently, two of which are in Ireland, in the Dublin and Shannon airports.
The beauty of US PreClearance is that after you go through (for example) Dublin’s security, you then make your way through US security and customs before you board your plane home. When you land, you are considered a domestic passenger and walk right out…no fuss, no muss.
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So there ya go, a couple of things that you should at least have a basic knowledge of as we gear back up for travel. But obviously, the moral of the story is…GETTING YOUR PASSPORT NOW!
