Passport Question

[michelle08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorganShae I heard that you have to have applied 2 weeks before you travel because not only do you have to show the piece of paper (application), you have to come up in the computer/show up on the govt website. does anyone know anything about this?

Morgan,

I totally lost this thread...we finally went and applied about 3 weeks ago and last week I checked the system and we were in it so I printed off the status sheet that said processing. The guy at the post office said he didn't know for sure because nobody who was trying it called him back to let him know how it went...but he said the form says we would need to show the proof of application processing and should also bring the copy of the passport application (we made a copy after the guy stamped it all).

I don't know now if we will end up going down there...but if we do, that is what we are bringing....

[robindepaula]

You can always go to the health department & have them issue you a birth card - that will suffice in place of the actual birth certificate.

[michelle08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robindepaula You can always go to the health department & have them issue you a birth card - that will suffice in place of the actual birth certificate.

hmm..I wonder if they will want the one w/ a seal?? I made photocopies of ours before I sent them off??

[rodent]

When I flew to mexico, before you needed a passport, you had to have the Birth certificate with a seal. I had to reorder mine recently, because I had the Abstract form with a seal, but for a passport they need the long form. I ordered it all online & it came in quick. maybe just a week or two.

[amym567]

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle08 Okay this isn't good about the birth certificate because they physically took our birth certificates when we applied for our passports so we won't be able to bring them with us if we chose to travel soon....

That's right! I remember when DH got his passport in the mail and his BC was with it. I'd double check to see if you could use the one you photo-copied, since they'll know that they have your real one!
Amy

[leigh miller]

you can always use a passport expedite service. actually this is something you can do yourself but it was worth it to me to pay this company $200 to not have to drive to LA and spend all day at the passport office. with proof of travel within 2 weeks take all the stuff you need to the office and they will give you a passport right there on the spot. i accidentally washed mine and it was trashed. so last week i sent all my stuff to this place. they received it monday and i had my new passport by thursday morning at 10 am. even if i would have wanted to do it myself i really couldnt have because i couldnt get an appointment. they were all booked. im sure this place has standing appointments. they have offices in LA and DC i believe so they operate nationally.

[leigh miller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle08 hmm..I wonder if they will want the one w/ a seal?? I made photocopies of ours before I sent them off??

yes they will. but they will return it. i just got all my stuff back thursday morning.

[robindepaula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leigh miller you can always use a passport expedite service. actually this is something you can do yourself but it was worth it to me to pay this company $200 to not have to drive to LA and spend all day at the passport office. with proof of travel within 2 weeks take all the stuff you need to the office and they will give you a passport right there on the spot. i accidentally washed mine and it was trashed. so last week i sent all my stuff to this place. they received it monday and i had my new passport by thursday morning at 10 am. even if i would have wanted to do it myself i really couldnt have because i couldnt get an appointment. they were all booked. im sure this place has standing appointments. they have offices in LA and DC i believe so they operate nationally.

thats good to know . . . I'm going to save that link, in case I ever need it.

[gkashmira]

I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't also need a birth certificate because I know when you apply for one they actually take your BC and send it in with the application. I think anyone who is planning on traveling without a passport should call their airline to make sure they are bringing whatever necessary document is needed.

[michelle08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkashmira I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't also need a birth certificate because I know when you apply for one they actually take your BC and send it in with the application. I think anyone who is planning on traveling without a passport should call their airline to make sure they are bringing whatever necessary document is needed.

oh that's good advice too...to call the airline...I'm sure they deal w/ this everyday!