16 Tips For Preventing Passport Problems

Written by William Manor


Carelessness isrepparttar number one reason for a passport application being rejected or delayed or for a passport being lost, stolen, or damaged.

What steps are necessary to prevent these things from happening? How can you take care of your passport? Below are 16 practical tips you can follow to acquire your passport, keep it in your possession, and preserve it in good condition.

Before You Leave On Your Trip

1. Check to see if you even need a passport.

Countries can, and often do, change foreign entry requirements. If you arrive atrepparttar 134127 airport withoutrepparttar 134128 required documents, you'll be denied boarding privileges. And, of course, this isn't covered by travel insurance.

Currently, more than 80% ofrepparttar 134129 world's countries require a valid passport for entrance. It's important to verifyrepparttar 134130 foreign entry requirements forrepparttar 134131 country you plan to visit as early as possible.

2. Apply for your passport early.

You should apply for a new passport at least 90 days before your departure date. For a renewal, beginrepparttar 134132 process 8 to 11 months before your passport expires. Why so early? Many countries require that your passport have six to eight months of validity remaining before they will issue a visa.

3. Fill outrepparttar 134133 correct form correctly.

Each type of passport service has specific criteria that must be met. Make sure you getrepparttar 134134 right application form, and then fill it in carefully. Double-check each entry. Ask a friend or relative to verify it as well. Errors made onrepparttar 134135 application form can lead to delays or, even, rejection of your passport request.

4. Followrepparttar 134136 specifications forrepparttar 134137 required documents exactly.

When applying for a new passport,repparttar 134138 most frequently used documents are a certified birth certificate for proof of citizenship along with a valid driver's license for proof of identity.

Your birth certificate must be a certified copy with a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, andrepparttar 134139 daterepparttar 134140 certificate was filed withrepparttar 134141 registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. No photocopies are accepted. Your driver's license must be more than six months old.

For a passport renewal, your previous passport serves as both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. To be valid, it cannot be mutilated, altered, or damaged in any way.

You must send two identical passport photos taken withinrepparttar 134142 last 6 months. These passport photos must be 2"x2" with a plain white or off-white background. They have to be a full-face view withrepparttar 134143 head being from 1 to 1 3/8 inches fromrepparttar 134144 chin torepparttar 134145 top ofrepparttar 134146 head. The photos can be either color or black and white.

5. Sign bothrepparttar 134147 passport application form and your check.

Surprisingly, many people forget to sign eitherrepparttar 134148 passport application form or their check to Passport Services. Once again, check everything twice, or even three times.

6. Request additional pages.

Are you a frequent flyer? Request a 48-page passport (at no additional cost). It will allow you to travel more before having to replace it.

7. Sign your passport and fill outrepparttar 134149 emergency information.

When your passport arrives, check to see that allrepparttar 134150 information contained in it is correct. If it is, sign it and fill in your current address andrepparttar 134151 name of a person to contact in case of emergency. If not, return it torepparttar 134152 State Department for correction.

A Taste of Tahoe

Written by By Ronda Moll


A Taste of Tahoe:

By Ronda Moll

Just asrepparttar majesty ofrepparttar 134126 tall pine trees complementrepparttar 134127 beauty ofrepparttar 134128 crystalline waters of Lake Tahoe, so doesrepparttar 134129 cuisine ofrepparttar 134130 many fine restaurants visitors can expect to find from Stateline to South Shore.

Whether it's grabbing a burger and fries or relishing a savory bit of filet mignon,repparttar 134131 dining options atrepparttar 134132 lake are limitless and can accommodate any appetite.

Atmosphere is essential to any successful restaurant and for such establishments asrepparttar 134133 Riva Grill, Llewellyn's, andrepparttar 134134 Fresh Ketch Restaurant, mesmerizing lakeviews and exceptional cuisine complement each other likerepparttar 134135 perfect wine selection at dinner.

Known for a classic, Tahoe style ambiance, The Riva Grill located atrepparttar 134136 Ski Run Marina, has a generous redwood deck that allows its guests to soak inrepparttar 134137 smell ofrepparttar 134138 tall pine trees and of courserepparttar 134139 hypnotic view. Entrée selections can range from coconut prawn appetizers and chicken sandwiches for lunch, to herb crusted halibut or a generous steak for dinner. What attracts patrons even more isrepparttar 134140 “Wet Woody” a frozen concoction of seven different kinds of rum, named afterrepparttar 134141 classic wooden Chris Craft boats that once dottedrepparttar 134142 lake's shore. Sipping on one of these tropical sensations while gazing out atrepparttar 134143 snow-capped mountains and pale blue water indeed providesrepparttar 134144 perfect backdrop for a relaxing day of leisure.

The paradise feel can be captured once again, in a sleek and sophisticated bar known asrepparttar 134145 Coco Havana Club. Located atrepparttar 134146 top of Harvey's Resort and Casino Hotel,repparttar 134147 Coco Havana Club is akin to a 1940s nightclub. Situated inside ofrepparttar 134148 resort's culinary high point, Llewellyn's, this smart bar complementsrepparttar 134149 innovative continental cuisine patrons have come to expect from this elegant restaurant. Boasting spectacular views, bothrepparttar 134150 Coco Havana Club and Llewellyn's provide an intimate and relaxing ambiance withrepparttar 134151 idea of luxury in mind.

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