U.S. Passport Fair
As of January 23, 2007, anyone traveling from the US to any foreign country by plane is required to provide a valid passport (previously this was not required for Canada, Mexico or some Caribbean nations). This will expand to include land and sea travel by 2008. So there's no reason not to have a passport! If you have a passport on hand, you won't deprive yourself of last-minute opportunities or stress out as much about future trips. It will also make visa applications easier for your study abroad program if you don't have to get the passport first. U.S. passports are valid for 10 years after they're issued, so there's no need to worry about applying too soon. (If you already have a passport, make sure that it is valid for six months after you return from your study abroad program. Some countries will require this for a student visa.)
What's more, the increased demand for passports caused by these new restrictions have pushed passport processing times longer and longer, and it is unlikely that these waits will decrease in the near future. Current processing times are approximately four months from the point of application to the time when you receive your passport, so planning ahead is extremely important.
In order to assist students in acquiring passports, the Miami University Office of International Education and the U.S. Postal Service will hold a U.S. Passport Fair on Saturday, November 3 from 10am to 2pm (location TBA).
If you wish to apply for a U.S. passport at the fair, you will need:
- Proof of US Citizenship (one of the following):
- Certified US Birth Certificate
- Previous US Passport
- Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Proof of Identity (one of the following):
- Current, valid driver's license
- Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
- Government ID
- Military ID
- For minors under 14 years of age, each child must appear in person and both parents or legal guardians must present evidence of identity.
- Two identical passport photos (We will provide photo service at the Passport Fair for an additional $15.00 fee)
- 2 x 2 inches in size
- Taken within past 6 months
- Color
- Full-face, front view with a plain white or off white background
- Normal street attire, no hats or headgear
- Passport Applications (Form DS-11) (will be provided by the Post Office)
- Passport Fees
- Age 16 and older: Fee to US Dept of State: $67 + Fee to USPS: $30 = Total Fees: $97
- Age 15 or younger: Fee to US Dept of State: $52 + Fee to USPS: $30 = Total Fees: $82
The US Department of State total may be paid with cash (an additional .95 money order fee will apply), check or money order; USPS fees may be paid with cash, check or money order. These must be paid separately as the two payments go to two different organizations.
Passport processing currently takes about four months to complete. Expedited passport processing service is available for an additional fee, but the wait for an expedited passport may still be a month or more.
If you cannot attend the Fall 2007 Passport Fair but would like to apply for a U.S. passport on your own, you can find information on how to do so here. If you plan on studying or traveling abroad in summer 2008, it is extremely important to apply for a passport before December 1.
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