Are you getting a new passport this holiday season? We’ve got some simple steps you should take when you get your new passport, to make sure your passport is fully valid and stays safe!
Check your passport for errors.
The first thing you should do when you pull your new passport from the package is to thoroughly inspect the information printed on your biographical data page. Is your name spelled correctly? Is your date and place of birth correct? There shouldn’t be any mistakes — G3Passports will have already checked your passport for you. But you should still double check and ensure there are no printing errors! If you find a mistake or something you are concerned about, contact us immediately. There are no government fees to have printing errors corrected within the first year after your passport has been issued.
Sign your new passport.
Your passport isn’t fully valid until it is signed! Sign your passport with your full name as printed on your passport. You should sign in blue or black ink.
Make copies of your new passport.
If your passport is ever lost or stolen, having a photocopy of your passport will make it much easier to get a replacement. We recommend that you make several photocopies and keep them in a secure file in a safe place. You can also make a scan of your passport and save it on your computer, in addition to keeping hard copies.
Please note that photocopies of your passport are not valid for travel.
Find a safe place to store your passport.
When you aren’t traveling, you should always store your passport in the same place. Find a secure spot to store your passport, and then always return it to that same spot. In our experience, more people lose their passports by misplacing them at home than lose them outside the house!
File your birth certificate or other proof of citizenship.
Your original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or other proof of citizenship will be sent back to you along with your new passport. File this document away in a safe location! If your passport is ever lost or stolen, you’ll need to submit your proof of citizenship again to get a replacement passport.
Did Santa not leave you a new passport under your tree? Apply for your passport today, and we will have it in your hands faster than a reindeer can fly!
Happy Holidays from G3Passports.com!