Passports
It is recommended that if your loved one is deployed overseas, particularly in Iraq or Afghanistan, that you get a passport in case something happens to them and they are hospitalized in a country where you can go (Some injured service members are flown to Germany to recuperate.)
Passports are expensive. It depends on your means and your outlook whether you want to get one right away as soon as they are deployed. Some people may feel that getting a passport means that since they are prepared, nothing will happen. Others may feel that getting a passport is too pessimistic. Passports are now required if you travel to Mexico or Canada by air so if you might go on vacation to either place, that's another reason for getting a passport. You cannot get a passport in less than one week and they are more expensive to get if you ask for expedited service. Expedited service is $60 more plus the overnight fee which totals about $75 plus the regular fee of $115 and takes about 3 weeks
(see http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html for current times).
An alternative is to make an appointment with the passport office in Chicago and drive to Chicago. Appointments can usually be gotten in about a week.
Passport information for Bedford: You can get a passport at the Bedford Post Office, Mon thru Fri 9 am to 3 pm; Sat 9 am to 12 pm. The cost is $75 for the fee; $25 for processing; and $15 for photos. You can also get passport photos at Walgreens and other area photo places. Passport photos have to be 2x2 inch color photos, taken with last 6 months, against a plain white background; image size from bottom of chin to top of head should not be less than 1 inch and not more than 1 3/8 inches - in other words the whole front of your head must be visible, including hair; in normal street attire; without a head covering or dark glasses. Digital photos will be accepted for use at the discretion of Passport Services (may cause a delay).
You must have an original birth certificate (not one from the hospital) that is certified (sealed by official custodian of records) NOTE: A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. Please note that some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes.It will be returned to you. If you don't have a birth certificate, or you were born outside the US, there are other original documents you can use.
Check with the PO to see what you need or online http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html.
You must list all the names you use, maiden names and nicknames. You need to know your parents name, date of birth, and place of birth.
You want a US Passport Book; You do NOT want a Passport Card.
Application for a US Passport can be obtained from the Bedford PO or online http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html
Passports are expensive. It depends on your means and your outlook whether you want to get one right away as soon as they are deployed. Some people may feel that getting a passport means that since they are prepared, nothing will happen. Others may feel that getting a passport is too pessimistic. Passports are now required if you travel to Mexico or Canada by air so if you might go on vacation to either place, that's another reason for getting a passport. You cannot get a passport in less than one week and they are more expensive to get if you ask for expedited service. Expedited service is $60 more plus the overnight fee which totals about $75 plus the regular fee of $115 and takes about 3 weeks
(see http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html for current times).
An alternative is to make an appointment with the passport office in Chicago and drive to Chicago. Appointments can usually be gotten in about a week.
Passport information for Bedford: You can get a passport at the Bedford Post Office, Mon thru Fri 9 am to 3 pm; Sat 9 am to 12 pm. The cost is $75 for the fee; $25 for processing; and $15 for photos. You can also get passport photos at Walgreens and other area photo places. Passport photos have to be 2x2 inch color photos, taken with last 6 months, against a plain white background; image size from bottom of chin to top of head should not be less than 1 inch and not more than 1 3/8 inches - in other words the whole front of your head must be visible, including hair; in normal street attire; without a head covering or dark glasses. Digital photos will be accepted for use at the discretion of Passport Services (may cause a delay).
You must have an original birth certificate (not one from the hospital) that is certified (sealed by official custodian of records) NOTE: A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. Please note that some short (abstract) versions of birth certificates may not be acceptable for passport purposes.It will be returned to you. If you don't have a birth certificate, or you were born outside the US, there are other original documents you can use.
Check with the PO to see what you need or online http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html.
You must list all the names you use, maiden names and nicknames. You need to know your parents name, date of birth, and place of birth.
You want a US Passport Book; You do NOT want a Passport Card.
Application for a US Passport can be obtained from the Bedford PO or online http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html
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posted by Joyce | 12:32 PM
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