The Convenient Road To Extra United States Passport Pages
The passport is an essential item to take on any trip outside the United
States. This precious document can mean the difference between getting
out of the U.S. and seeing foreign lands or being stuck at home.
However, getting a passbook is not the only thing that individuals need
to do in order to travel internationally. They also need have enough additional
United States passport pages in the book at all times.
Travelers who have less than two to four pages left in their passbooks
are eligible to add more. People who travel regularly will know when
they have reached this point but those who do not will need to dust off
the passbook and take a look. If the book is filling up with stamps, it
may be time to order additional sheets.
Requesting additional sheets is not a complicated process and it can be
done in several ways at varying costs. The passbook holder should go to
the Web site for the Department of State and download form DS-4085. This
form may be printed and legibly completed by hand or it may be filled
out online and then printed. Mail is the only way to submit the
completed form because electronic means are not currently accepted.
Passport holders who do not have access to a computer with Internet
service will need to visit a local Passport Agency or the site of an
Acceptance Facility to obtain form DS-4085. Both this form and the passport applications will need
to be mailed to the government in order to get the additional passport
pages. This is where the different costs come into play.. Having the
information processed by the government using its standard service will
not cost the passbook holder anything. The only charge will be for a
traceable mail delivery service that the government recommends.
The government is currently working within a four to six week turnaround
time for processing additional sheets. If a passbook holder needs the
updated document within two to three weeks, he or she can pay a $60.00
fee for expedited government processing. To ensure that the item is
provided expedited handling, 'expedite' should be written on the outside
of the envelope. The package should be sent using an overnight mail
service.
If three weeks is still too long, a passbook holder may opt for a rush
processing service offered through a private company. Rush handling will
provide the holder with the passbook containing additional sheets
within as little as 24 hours. The passbook holder will need to pay the
private company several hundred dollars for overnight processing, plus
the $60.00 expediting fee charged by the government. In addition,
shipping charges for overnight mail delivery will be incurred.
There will be several additional forms required when using a private
company for processing. In addition to the DS-4085 government form, the
passbook holder must complete a document that authorizes the company to
act on behalf of the individual. Applicants who request processing
within seven business days or less must submit a copy of the flight
itinerary, airline ticket, or employer authorization letter. Any of
these will serve as proof that the passbook holder has immediate travel
plans.
Passbook holders have several options when it comes to getting new
passport pages. These include the government's free service with a
turnaround time of six weeks or its $60.00 expedited service with a
three week turnaround period. Individuals have one additional option if
they are willing to pay more money in order to get the updated passport application within as
little as 24 hours and that is using a private company.
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