Finally Getting My Passport

[Deleted member 67185]

Well, I finally got around to getting my passport application submitted through an official government agency. It'll be here in plenty of time for my mid-September departure. It is weird how my photo has difficulty in capturing the "real" me

I never had to have a passport during all of my european travels while in the military; my military ID served that purpose. So this is actually the first time I will have a passport document. I suppose it's about time since a passport is the epitome of ID even when on hiatus from foreign travel.

 

[wcsjms]

Well, I finally got around to getting my passport application submitted through an official government agency. It'll be here in plenty of time for my mid-September departure. It is weird how my photo has difficulty in capturing the "real" me

I never had to have a passport during all of my european travels while in the military; my military ID served that purpose. So this is actually the first time I will have a passport document. I suppose it's about time since a passport is the epitome of ID even when on hiatus from foreign travel.

We recently renewed our passports. I had a new passport photo taken and sent in my application ...no problem, I have new passport in hand. My wife tried (trying to save a few $$$'s) using her old passport photo and her application was denied. So she, as I had done before her, had a new one taken and resubmitted her application. All is well now. Apparently, they require a certain kind of photo and an up to date one too.

Buen Camino !

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I never had to have a passport during all of my european travels while in the military; my military ID served that purpose. So this is actually the first time I will have a passport document.

You apparently don't get up to Canada or you would have had a passport already. If things change and you find yourself making trips up there you may want to get a laminated card version of the passport. They are only good for Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and maybe a couple other places.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

You apparently don't get up to Canada or you would have had a passport already. If things change and you find yourself making trips up there you may want to get a laminated card version of the passport. They are only good for Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and maybe a couple other places.

I don't need a passport or passport card for travel to either Canada or Mexico. I have an Enhanced Driver's License which does background checks and validation according to required Dept. of Homeland Security requirements.

https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they

I've had mine for quite a few years.

 

[poogeyejr]

My parents had the enhanced Drivers License too but from Canada! It was in addition to their passport, but more convenient to pop across the border for groceries!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I don't need a passport or passport card for travel to either Canada or Mexico. I have an Enhanced Driver's License which does background checks and validation according to required Dept. of Homeland Security requirements.

Thank you for that information. My state is a holdout so I haven't heard about the program. Researching I see that Massachusetts may go forward with both the enhanced and old version. It may be good to have both if possible; the old version for your everyday use and the new one kept RFID shielded except for use when the enhanced details are needed.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Thank you for that information. My state is a holdout so I haven't heard about the program. Researching I see that Massachusetts may go forward with both the enhanced and old version. It may be good to have both if possible; the old version for your everyday use and the new one kept RFID shielded except for use when the enhanced details are needed.

No need to hang on to both. In fact, when the Enhanced version is done, the state is required to decommission the old version. Washington State does this by punching a couple of holes into the old one. The state usually provides a thin, driver's licensed sized envelope that one has the option of using if someone feels concerned about RFID illegal scanning.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

My parents had the enhanced Drivers License too but from Canada! It was in addition to their passport, but more convenient to pop across the border for groceries!

When I retired from public health at our local health district, one of my post-retirement "careers" was to be trained and then drive tractor-trailer. I spent several years as a 48 state, over-the-road (OTR) commercial truck driver. The reason I was among the first to get my Enhanced license, when they became available, was to use it in place of a passport to take loads periodically into Canada. It worked great not having to carry an extra document.