[Travelandtourism] FWD: How to Obtain or REnew a US Passport

Tue Feb 14 00:41:00 UTC 2012

Thanks again for this info, and as a quick update from a little less than 2
weeks ago, I have already received my passport book...now, that's good
service!  

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewel
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 1:52 PM
To: NFB Travel and Tourism Division List
Subject: [Travelandtourism] FWD: How to Obtain or REnew a US Passport

This article was in the Raleigh News & Observer, February 12. I thought it
would be of interest to people planning to ttravel outside the US.

How to obtain or renew a U.S. passport Sacramento Bee Published in:
Travel Related Images Getting a new passport or renewing an expired one can
be time-consuming. But it is possible to do it yourself with proper
planning. Here are facts and tips to help you "get your papers.
For more information, go to www.travel.state.gov . Q: When do you need a
passport? For travel in all foreign countries, including Mexico and Canada.
Q: What is the price? For an adult passport: $135 (new), $110 (renew). For
minors under 16: $105. Q: What if you're just traveling to Mexico, Canada or
the Caribbean? There is a less expensive Passport Card program for those
countries. Passport cards are $55 for adults
($30 for renewals) and $40 for minors under age 16. Q: When must you apply
in person for a new passport? If you are applying for your first U.S.
passport, if you are under age 16, if your previous U.S. passport was issued
when you were under age 16, if your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen
or damaged, if your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years
ago, or if your name has changed since your U.S.
passport was issued and you are unable to legally document your name change.
Q: How long does it take to get a passport? Usually between four and 10
weeks. Q: Can you get expedited service without using a third-party agent?
Yes. The cost for expedited service is an additional $60, plus $12.72 if you
want overnight delivery. Q: How long does it take with expedited service
done directly through the passport service? Currently, two to three weeks.
Q: Where can I apply in person? There are 9,000 facilities nationwide,
including many post offices, state courts and city and county offices. Q:
When can I mail in a passport request? Only renewers whose old passports
were issued within the past 15 years and have not been damaged or stolen may
apply through the mail. Q: How do you renew a passport? Fill out a DS-82
form (which can be downloaded from the State Department website,
www.travel.state .gov ), place

On 2/11/12, cheryl echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> We will see if anyone is out there willing to give some advice, if not 
> again, the best place other than a travel professional, and also 
> contact NFB of Alaska, and then contact a travel professional.
>
> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
> 631-456-5394
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>
> For daily updates read our blog at
> http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
>
>> Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:58:37 -0600
>> From: julielj at neb.rr.com
>> To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Alaska
>>
>> Yes, I have a good idea of some things I'd like to do and I've been 
>> reading lots of info on the internet.  What I'm looking for is 
>> specific recommendations of things that other people really enjoyed 
>> or really did not enjoy.  Reading travel sites and brochures is one 
>> thing, but those are designed to make everything look great.
>>
>> Alaska is also an amazingly huge place.  there is no way that I can 
>> do even a fraction of what is on offer with the time and resources I 
>> have available.  So if people with direct experience can tell me what 
>> their favorite things are it would help me a lot to narrow down my 
>> list of possibilities.
>>
>> At this point I am 99% sure I will not be taking my guide dog.  I am 
>> a very good cane traveler and am not worried about mobility at all.  
>> I am only moderately athletic, so things like mountain climbing are 
>> not going to work, but hiking on a trail would be fine as would 
>> canoeing, rafting or similar activities.
>>
>> Kiddo is most interested in catching/collecting food of whatever 
>> variety and learning how to clean and prepare it for eating.  I also 
>> am interested in food, but more in the already prepared and on a 
>> plate version. *smile*  Nature and culture are also topics of interest to
us.
>>
>> We would strongly prefer not to stay in an urban area like Anchorage.
>> Ideally a cottage or cabin in a remote place with guided day tours 
>> would be awesome, but I realize transportation will make this 
>> extremely difficult.
>>
>> I hope that gives some better idea of the sort of information I'm 
>> looking for.  thanks in advance for any ideas!
>> Julie
>>
>> On 2/11/2012 12:30 PM, cheryl echevarria wrote:
>> >
>> > We have the President of Alaska, Bill Packaee, who is a member of 
>> > our division, also Don Gilmore has been there as well (Bill and Don 
>> > if you have your ears on, can you give some advice).  I have also 
>> > sent people to Alaska.  Most of my clients who have been there have 
>> > loved it, have cruised there mostly, but there are many land 
>> > travelers as well. What kind of experiences are you looking for 
>> > Julie it is a very wide subject, do you mean like what?
>> > It is a state of the US, so all guide dog access laws are the same. 
>> > I have had clients who go fishing, and canoeing, and gone to see 
>> > the Glaciers, or just traveled the state.
>> > It all depends on the activities you want to do, and your own 
>> > mobility skills.
>> > I have to say in general, when I send my clients, and 90 percent of 
>> > them are blind.
>> > They ask questions like you do, and I just say to them is do what 
>> > you would like to do. Do you like fishing, camping, hiking, exploring,
etc.
>> > I ask them not to focus on the blindness, you focus on where you 
>> > want to go and what you want to do. Some will say, well I am going 
>> > with other blind people, will we get a travel guide, or assistance, 
>> > and depending on what it is, yes you will.
>> > I would have your read up on the Alaska tourism board, like 
>> > visitalaska.com or other Alaska websites, find out what you enjoy 
>> > doing, and then ask yourself if you can do it or not.
>> > I would also go to the alaskanfb.org website and find out other 
>> > things as well.  They have a ton of information there as well.
>> > Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>> >
>> > Cheryl Echevarria
>> > http://www.echevarriatravel.com
>> > 631-456-5394
>> > reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>> >
>> > For daily updates read our blog at
>> > http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
>> >
>> >> Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:10:37 -0600
>> >> From: julielj at neb.rr.com
>> >> To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
>> >> Subject: [Travelandtourism] Alaska
>> >>
>> >> I'm wondering if anyone has been to Alaska?  If so I'd love to 
>> >> hear about your experiences.  What would you suggest doing?  What 
>> >> should be avoided?
>> >>
>> >> I'm not looking for a travel agent.  I'm just interested in 
>> >> personal experiences from blind folks who either live in or have 
>> >> traveled to Alaska.
>> >>
>> >> Thanks!
>> >> Julie
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >> ylandmaxx%40hotmail.com
>> >   		 	   		
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Travelandtourism mailing list
>> > Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
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>> > for
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>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/julie
>> > lj%40neb.rr.com
>> >
>>
>>
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