If you need a passport urgently for your summer travel, G3 can help you beat the passport rush.

Why is the State Department Experiencing a Passport Rush?

The summertime is always a popular time for travelers to apply for passports. If you are a business traveler, the summer is an ideal time to renew your passport, when you have a break between business trips. If you are a leisure traveler, you’ve probably got a summer trip planned. It’s a great time for you to travel, since the kids are out of school. Even if you aren’t traveling with children, you might want to take a relaxing summer vacation while things are quiet at work. And as you get ready for your trip, you may discover that someone in the family has an expired passport (especially kids, as their passports are only valid for 5 years), or a passport that’s out of blank pages, or simply can’t find their passport at all! All of these factors add up to lots of people trying to get rush passport services at the same time.

This year, there are way more passport applications than normal because 2017 is the 10 year anniversary of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The WHTI is the law that requires you to have a passport for all trips in and out of the United States, even to destinations like Mexico or the Caribbean. When the law went into effect in January 2007, there was a massive surge of people who applied for passports so they could travel to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and other destinations. Now, all of those passports issued in 2007 are expiring! Added to the normal summer passport rush, the result is record numbers of passport applications. Unfortunately, many people who apply for their passports by mail are reporting delays in the issuance of their passports.

Top Tips to Beat the Summer Passport Rush

Use G3

Since you’re here at G3Passports.com, you’ve already found the best way to beat the summer travel passport rush! As registered passport expeditors, we can get your passport for you very quickly. We can even have your passport completed within 2-3 days! You’ll have the support of the G3 team every step of the way, to make sure there are no delays. Best of all, unlike applying through the Post Office, our processing times are reliable.

Apply Early

Don’t wait until the day before your trip to look for your passport. When you start planning your trip, check your passport right away. You’ll want to make sure you can answer yes to all of these questions:

• Do I know where my passport is stored?
• Does my passport have at least six months validity after the end of my trip?
• Is my passport in my current legal name?
• Does my passport have blank pages marked “visas” for my entry stamps?
• Is my passport in good condition, with no tears, damaged pages, or unauthorized markings?

If any of those questions are a “no,” G3 can help you quickly renew or replace your passport.

Find the Best Passport Acceptance Facility

If you need to get your first passport, get a passport for your child, or replace a lost or damaged passport, you will need to visit a Passport Acceptance Facility before you send your application to G3. During the current passport rush, you may find that some Passport Acceptance Facilities do not have any appointments available, or ones that do not require appointments may have long lines.

During this busy season for passports, it’s great if you can schedule an appointment with a Passport Acceptance Agent. With an appointment scheduled in advance, you know exactly when you’ll be seen, and you won’t have to waste time standing in line. We encourage you to call around to other Passport Acceptance Facilities if you can’t get a convenient appointment with the first one you check. Consider locations near your home, your office, or maybe even one further afield that is close to a shop or restaurant you like but don’t get to visit often.

Prefer to go to a “first come, first served” facility that doesn’t take appointments? You’d be wise to try to get there early in the morning, just in case there are lines. At some Passport Acceptance Facilities, they will even shut down the lines if they know they already have more people than they can serve before the end of the day!

We look forward to helping you get your passport in time for your summer travel!

The post Beat the Summertime Passport Rush! appeared first on G3Passports.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if your passport is truly mutilated, or if it’s just looking worn from being carted around on all your travels. If you have a mutilated passport, you’ll definitely need to replace it before your next trip, but even if your passport isn’t that badly damaged, it’s still a good idea to replace it. Worn-out passports can be replaced by doing an early passport renewal.

So is your passport in bad enough shape to fall into the “mutilated passport” category? Let’s look at some common types of passport damage.

Passport Cover Damage

• Passport cover is loose or fell off. No question – this is a mutilated passport!
• Passport cover has hanging threads at the edges. This is minor damage, but enough that you should apply for a passport renewal.
• Passport cover has stickers on it. If you had stickers put on your passport by a visa expediting service or airport security, that’s no problem. It’s not considered to be damage at all. We don’t recommend decorating your passport with your own stickers, though!
• Passport cover has been cut or trimmed. Any cuts on your passport cover will render your passport mutilated.
• Passport cover is bent or curved. Have you been carrying your passport in your back pocket and sitting on it? If your passport has developed a curve, you may want to replace it with a passport renewal, but it’s not mutilated.

Damage to the Information Page

• Peeling plastic on the information page. This used to be a big problem, but US passports have been redesigned to try to prevent this problem. However, if the page with your photo starts to delaminate, you’ve got a mutilated passport on your hands. Replace it now.
• Unauthorized markings on the information page. If anyone has marked your information page other than a US State Department official, you will need to do a Mutilated Passport replacement.
• Water damage on the information page. Has your passport gotten wet? The information page has a polycarbonate coating that should protect it from falling apart in water, but if mildew develops under the lamination, you should replace your passport. If it’s very mild, you may be able to renew your passport, but you will likely be required to use the mutilated passport procedure.

Damage to Internal Pages

• Torn pages. If any page of your passport gets torn, sorry – your passport is officially mutilated.
• Cut pages. Just like torn pages, if any of your passport pages are partially or completely cut, your passport is now mutilated.
• Unauthorized markings. Did your kid doodle on a passport page? As long as it wasn’t the information page or a page with a visa, you will likely be able to replace your passport with an early passport renewal.
• Worn or curling edges of the pages. After your passport has been around the world a few times, the edges of the pages might soften, like those of a much-loved book. This damage isn’t bad enough to be considered mutilated, but you should renew your passport to get a fresh book. You probably are running low on blank visa pages by now, too!

Whether you need to renew your passport or do a full damaged passport replacement, G3 is here to help!

The post Is Your Passport Mutilated… Or Just Looking a Bit Rough? appeared first on G3Passports.

Are You Eligible for a Passport Renewal?

The first thing to do is to make sure that your passport can be renewed. All of the followings must be true!

1. Your current passport must have been issued after you turned 16.

If you were under 16 when your last passport was issued, you’ll need to use the New Adult Passport procedure to get a new passport… unless you are still under 16, in which case you’ll need a Minor Passport.

2. Your passport must have been issued no more than 15 years ago.

If it’s been more than five years since your passport expired, you are required to use the New Adult Passport service to get a new passport.

3. Your passport must have been issued for 10 years validity.

If you were issued a limited-validity passport, such as an emergency replacement for a passport lost overseas, please contact G3 for special assistance to get a new passport.

4. Your passport must be in good condition.

If your passport has a loose or missing cover, tears or cuts on the cover or any page, or other severe damage, you’ll need to do a Mutilated Passport Replacement instead of a Passport Renewal.

5. Your passport must be in your possession.

You’ll need to submit your current passport book in order to renew it. If you can’t find your passport, you can get a new passport through the Lost Passport Replacement process.

How to Renew Your Passport with G3

With G3, your passport renewal is swift and simple!

1. Place your order online, selecting the processing speed you’ll need.
2. We’ll email you a detailed checklist of all the documents you’ll need to send in, including a link to fill out your passport application.
3. You’ll be directed to call G3 to go over the checklist with a passport associate. Your passport associate will answer all your questions and will email you a FedEx airbill to use to send in your renewal request.
4. Send all your passport renewal documents to G3 using the provided FedEx airbill. You can drop off your FedEx package at any FedEx office or FedEx box.
5. We’ll hand-carry your passport renewal request into the Passport Agency for expedited processing.
6. Your new passport will be sent back to you via FedEx! You’ll get an email when your passport is complete to let you know it is on the way. This email will contain the FedEx tracking number for your package.

What Documents Do You Need for Your Passport Renewal?

Here’s the good news — you don’t need to supply as many documents for your passport renewal as you did to get your passport for the first time.

We’ll send you a detailed checklist of all the items you’ll need when you place your order.

Here’s a sneak preview of what you’ll need for your passport renewal.

• Your expired or expiring passport book
• Form DS-82, the passport renewal application. You’ll fill this out online and print it out.
• A signed Letter of Authorization — this allows us to submit your application to the Passport Agency on your behalf. We’ll send you the Letter of Authorization via email.
• A new passport-style photo. Make sure not to wear glasses, uniforms, or headgear in the photo!
• Proof of your upcoming travel plans.
• A check or money order for your government fees.

The post Passport Renewal Made Easy! appeared first on G3Passports.

Those days are over, my friends.

The US State Department stopped offering additional passport pages service on December 31, 2015.  Now, if you run out of blank passport pages, you need to apply for a passport renewal.

Understanding the Different Types of Passport Pages

The standard US passport book contains 28 pages.  They’re not all the same, though!

• Pages 1-7 are information pages. The first few pages are pre-printed with information by the State Department. Most of these pages are basic information about your passport and international travel.  The most important of these pages is page 2, the personal data page.  This is where your photo, name, and other personal information is printed.  Page 3, directly adjacent the personal data page, is where you will sign your passport.
• Pages 8-24 are visa pages. When we talk about “blank passport pages,” we are talking about these pages.  You’ll see the word “Visas” printed at the top of the page.  These pages are meant for all of the entry and exit stamps you’ll collect as you travel.  If you need to get any visas for your trips, they will be placed on these pages.
• Pages 25-28 are endorsement pages. These pages are marked “Endorsements/Mentions Speciales/Anotaciones.”  Endorsement pages are meant for the use of the US State Department only.   If there are any special conditions to your passport, or amendments made to your passport, the State Department will print them there.  For instance, if get a new passport after your passport is lost, one of the endorsement pages may state “this passport is a replacement for a lost or stolen passport.”

Why Is It Important to Have Blank Visa Pages?

Every time you travel internationally, your destination country will stamp your passport with an entry stamp and an exit stamp.  You’ll need to have at least one blank page available for every country you visit.

If you need to get a travel visa for your trip, most countries require that you have two blank pages available – one for your visa, and one for your entry and exit stamps.

Some countries have even more restrictive requirements for blank passport pages.  South Africa, for instance, does not require visas for US citizens to visit.  However, you do need to have two blank passport pages side-by-side to be allowed entry.  You’ll need two blank pages for every entry, so even if you make a day trip into a neighboring country, you’d need another set of blank pages when you return to South Africa!

Get Extra Blank Passport Pages When You Renew

If you need to renew your passport early because you have run out of blank pages in your passport, you’re probably the type of traveler who could benefit from an extra-large passport.  The good news is that the US State Department offers “non-standard” 52-page passport books at no extra charge!  All you have to do is check the box on your passport application that you want the large book.  They are available at the discretion of the Passport Agency, which may have limited stocks of the large books, so a regular size book may be substituted in some cases.

As you prep for your holiday travel, make sure to flip through your passport and check to see how many blank passport pages you have.  Running low? Apply online for a renewal today!

The post Running Out of Passport Pages? Renew Your Passport! appeared first on G3Passports.

One of the most frequent questions we get from travelers is “do I get my old passport back when I renew my passport?”  Most of the time, this question is because travelers want to keep their old passport as a souvenir of their travels.  Luckily, the answer is yes!  Your old passport will be marked cancelled and returned to you.

The Value of an Old Passport

Your old passport remains a valuable document, even after you’ve gotten your passport renewed.  Yes, it is a great momento of all your travels, and it is fun to be able to flip through your old passport book and look at all of the entry stamps and visas.  (It may be more or less fun to look at your previous passport photos, and see how you’ve aged in ten years!)  But more than that, your old passport remains proof of your US citizenship.  If your current passport is ever lost or stolen, you can submit your cancelled passport instead of your birth certificate to prove your citizenship.  You will need to make sure that your appearance has not changed too radically since your old passport was issued, though.  If you lose your passport at age 40, you can’t submit the passport you were issued at age 5!

My Old Passport Isn’t Expired.  Can I Travel With It?

We always recommend that travelers renew their passports at least six months before they expire.  If you’ve followed our advice, you may get back an old passport that hasn’t yet hit its expiration date.  However, this does not mean that your old passport is still valid for travel!  You will need to carry your new passport for all travel purposes.

There is only one reason that you may need to use your old passport for travel purposes.  A few countries – notably Brazil, China, and India – issue long term visas to US citizens and allow valid visas to be used even after the passport has been cancelled. For example, I renewed my passport this summer, but in my cancelled passport, I have a multiple-entry Brazil visa valid 10 years that was issued in 2012.  I can continue to travel to Brazil on that visa until 2022, as long as I carry both the old passport with the visa and my new, valid passport.

How Can I Tell My Old Passport From My New One?

When you submit your passport for renewal, the State Department will mark your passport cancelled by punching holes in the cover.  Years ago, the State Department would also stamp the word “Cancelled” on the inside of the passport in addition to punching holes in the cover, but this is no longer standard.  Your old passport won’t say that it is cancelled, but the holes are proof that it is has been renewed.

So keep your old passport in a safe place after you renew your passport.  It could still come in handy some day!

The post Do I Get My Old Passport Back When I Renew? appeared first on G3Passports.

Understand the Rules – When Are You Allowed to Renew Your Passport?

The US State Department has firm rules about when passports can be renewed.  Your passport must be renewed no more than five years after it expires.  You can also think about this based on the date of issue of your passport.  Your passport can be renewed up until fifteen years after the day it was issued.  If you let your passport remain expired for more than five years, you will need to apply for a new passport instead of a passport renewal.

How Early Can You Renew Your Passport?

There’s really no such thing as “too early” to renew your passport. In most cases, passports are renewed within a year of the expiration date.  However, there are a lot of reasons that a passport may be renewed earlier:

• Passport has run out of blank visa pages.
• Traveler’s appearance has changed significantly.
• Passport is worn and not in good condition.
• Traveler has had a legal name change.
• Traveler wishes to apply for a long-term visa.
• Traveler has Israeli entry stamps in the passport, and now plans to visit a country like Iran or Sudan that forbids entry if there are Israel marks in the passport. (A second valid passport can also be issued in this case.)

Why Should You Renew Your Passport Six Months Before It Expires?

At G3, we always recommend that you renew your passport no later than six months before it expires.  Why?  It’s because of what’s known as the “six month rule.”  Many countries, including popular destinations like Italy, require that your passport have at least six months validity remaining.  If you don’t have at least six months left before your passport expires, you won’t be allowed to enter.  You might not even be allowed to board your flight!

We want to make sure that your passport is always valid for any trip you might want to take.  After all, if your richest friend calls you up and says “come to the airport, we’ve got an extra seat available on my private jet,” you don’t want to say no because your passport is about to expire!

Keeping at least six months validity on your passport at all times is especially important for business travelers.  Important overseas meetings could pop up at any time.  You and your passport should both always be ready to travel!

Consider Your Travel Plans To Choose the Right Time to Renew Your Passport

Now that you know that you should renew your passport at least six months before it expires, think about your upcoming travel plans.  It might be November now, but it’s not too early to consider whether you may be traveling internationally next summer.  Think about when you may be traveling, and when you will be likely to be staying at home.  Choose one of those down times between trips to renew your passport before it expires.

Need to Renew Your Passport in a Hurry?

Sometimes, the answer to “when should you renew your passport?” is NOW!  If you are in a rush to get your passport renewed, G3passports.com is here to help.  Just place your order online, and we can have your passport renewed in as little as two business days.

The post When Is The Right Time to Renew Your Passport? appeared first on G3Passports.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is one of the Trusted Traveler programs offered by the US Department of Homeland Security.  Of the four programs, Global Entry is designed for people who travel internationally by air.  Two other programs, NEXUS and SENTRI, are aimed at travelers who regularly drive into Canada and Mexico.  NEXUS and SENTRI also include the full benefits of the Global Entry program.

The Global Entry program is open to US citizens, US Permanent Residents, and citizens of Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, and United Kingdom.  To qualify, travelers must fill out a pre-enrollment questionnaire and then appear at a Global Entry Enrollment Center for an interview.  Membership is granted after a background check to ensure the traveler is low-risk and trustworthy.

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

A Global Entry membership costs $100 for 5 years.  As a Global Entry member, you can use special automated kiosks at many US airports.  These kiosks allow you to scan your own passport and fingerprints.  You can also complete your customs declaration at the kiosk.  The machine will then print out a receipt, and you can go directly to baggage claim and then through Customs.  You’ll be able to skip the long lines for US immigration.

Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck benefits.  TSA PreCheck makes getting through airport security quick and convenient. With TSA PreCheck, you’ll be able to use designated fast-track lanes at airport security.  Even better, you won’t have to take off your shoes, belt, or light jacket when you go through the security screening!  You can also leave your laptop and toiletries in your bag.

How to Update Your Global Entry When You Renew Your Passport

Your US passport is valid for 10 years, and your Global Entry membership is valid for 5 years.  If you have an active Global Entry membership when you renew your passport, you will need to update your Global Entry profile.

You can easily update your profile online on the GOES website. GOES is the Global Online Enrollment System for Trusted Traveler programs.  The GOES website is where you would apply for pre-approval for the program, and it’s also where you can update your information.  When you renew your passport, you can log on and update your passport number and expiration date.  You’ll need to know your GOES user ID and password.  If you’ve forgotten them, a password recovery system is available.

Once you have updated your profile online, you’re all set to travel!  If you would like to get a new Global Entry sticker for your passport, you can do so by stopping by any enrollment center. Most enrollment centers are located at major international airports.

TSA PreCheck and Passport Renewal

Do you have a membership in TSA PreCheck as a stand-alone program? If you do, you don’t need to do anything when your passport is renewed.  Your TSA PreCheck membership isn’t tied to your passport number, so it will continue to be active no matter whether your passport is valid, cancelled, expired, or renewed.

The post Update Your Global Entry With Your Passport Renewal appeared first on G3Passports.

Passport cards have been an option for US citizens since 2008, but they are still not as well known or well understood as the traditional passport books.  Today, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about passport cards and show you how you can get a passport card along with your next passport renewal.

What is a Passport Card?

A passport card is a card the size of a driver’s license that is issued by the US State Department.  Like a passport book, it proves your identity and US citizenship. They are valid for ten years for adults, and five years for children age 15 and younger.

How Can a Passport Card Be Used?

Passport cards can be used for any identification purpose inside the United States, such as job applications, buying alcohol, or checking in to a doctor’s office or hospital.  Most importantly, your passport card is an official form of REAL ID. The REAL ID Act of 2005 set federal standards for identification cards.  When it is fully implemented, you’ll need to show federally-approved ID to enter government buildings or to go through TSA security at the airport.  Not all driver’s licenses meet REAL ID standards, but your passport card will always be accepted as official identification for domestic air travel.

Although the passport card is great for flying inside the US — especially for children, who are too young to have driver’s licenses — it is not valid for any international air travel. You’ll need a passport book any time you are flying to a destination outside the United States.

Passport cards can be used for land and sea travel between the US and Mexico, Canada, and certain Caribbean nations.  It’s perfect for people who frequently drive to Canada or Mexico, since it fits conveniently in your wallet!

Requirements to Get a Passport Card With Your Passport Renewal

If you want to get a card along with your next passport renewal, make note of the following requirements:

• Passport Application Form DS-82. When you fill out your passport renewal application form online, you’ll come to a page called “Passport Products and Fees.” On that page, make sure to select that you want both a passport book and card.  On the printed version of the application, this option appears at the very top of the first page of the application.
• Government Passport Fees. Your passport card will cost an additional $30.  When applying for expedited passport renewal service through G3passports.com, your government fee for both a passport book renewal and passport card will be $200.
• One Photograph. You only need to submit one photograph with your application for a passport renewal and passport card.  Your photo will be scanned and printed onto both the book and the card.

When Will I Get My Passport Card?

The US State Department doesn’t always provide the same type of expedited processing for passport cards as they do for passport books.  When you apply for your passport renewal through G3, your passport book will be processed and returned to you within the time frame that you have selected.  However, your new passport card may take longer to be issued, and will be sent to you under separate cover.

Can I Renew a Passport Card?

Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books!  If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time.  You’ll need to submit both documents when you do your next renewal.  Your old passport card will be marked cancelled by having one corner clipped off.  Your old card and your old book will both be returned to you.

Any other questions?  Ask us in the comments!

The post Get a Passport Card With Your Passport Renewal appeared first on G3Passports.

Drastic Appearance Changes Require Passport Renewals

A basic rule of thumb as to whether your appearance change is significant enough to require a passport renewal is to look at your photo in your passport, look in the mirror, and ask yourself if a stranger would recognize you as the person in the photo.  If you no longer resemble the person in your passport photo, you should renew your passport right away, no matter how long you have before it expires.  Otherwise, you may have major problems when you try to travel with your passport, because border authorities and airport staff may not believe that you’re really the person shown on your passport!

An early passport renewal for appearance change should only be done if you have had a truly drastic change in appearance, such as:

• Extreme weight loss or weight gain.  If your weight has changed by more than 100 pounds, your face may not resemble the photo in your passport.  Not only may you no longer look like your old self to the naked eye, but the changes in the size of your face may also throw off the biometric scanners used at many airports.
• Extensive plastic surgery. We’re not talking about an eye lift or a little botox, but major reconstructive surgery, such as you might have if you were in an accident.
• Gender transition. Transgender travelers who have transitioned their appearance from one gender to another should also get an early passport renewal.  If you’ve also legally changed your name as part of your transition, you can have your name changed on your passport at the same time.

Minor Appearance Change? You Can Keep Using Your Passport

Over the course of ten years, it’s understood that you will have some changes in appearance.  Your appearance change may be due to aging, or due to fashion.  You don’t need to renew your passport if you’ve changed your appearance in any of the following ways:

• New hair color. Has your hair gone grey?  Did you bleach your brown hair to see if blondes really do have more fun?  Have you jumped on the “mermaid hair” trend and dyed your locks blue and green?  It doesn’t matter what color your hair was in your passport photo or what color it is now.  Hair color changes are easily understood by immigration officials.
• You got glasses. Worried that your new specs will make you look different than your passport photo?  It’s not a problem.  In fact, the US State Department no longer allows glasses to be worn in passport photos.  The new norm is for bespectacled travelers to have passport photos that show them without their glasses.
• You’ve gained or lost a few pounds.  Unless you’ve moved way up or down the BMI charts, your weight loss or weight gain won’t change the shape of your face to the point of confusing the facial recognition scanners.
• You’ve gone bald… or started wearing a wig. Whether you’ve lost your hair to the sands of time or to a razor, having gone bald isn’t enough of an appearance change to require a new passport.  And if your passport photo shows you with a bald head, and you’ve grown your hair back or bought a toupee, that’s fine, too!
• You have colored contact lenses.  If you’ve made your brown eyes blue with the help of colored contacts, it’s not a big enough appearance change to make you unrecognizable.  You can still travel with your passport until it expires.
• Minor plastic surgery.  Most plastic surgery procedures, including full facelifts and rhinoplasty, aren’t a radical enough change in appearance to mandate an early passport renewal.

Are There Extra Requirements for Passport Renewals Due to Appearance Change?

Wondering if you should renew your passport because of your appearance change?  You can always call G3 and talk to one of our passport specialists to get our expert advice on whether or not you should renew your passport early.

An early passport renewal due to an appearance change will have all the same required documents as a normal passport renewal.  The only additional document you’ll need to submit is a signed letter addressed to the US Department of State.  In the letter, you should explain why your appearance has changed, and request that your passport be renewed early with an updated photo.  It’s that simple!

The post Appearance Change? You May Need to Renew Your Passport appeared first on G3Passports.