Getting a passport

1. it took me about 8 weeks, but it might take longer now, since i'm sure they're seeing an increased amount of applications with the new laws.
2. i don't believe so, but it never hurts to have a drivers license as well.
3. no, you don't to pick up the application. to turn it in you do need a dl and i think a second form of id, a soc sec card should work.

have you gotten ur picture taken yet for it?

 

Dunno about if the new laws have effected the time frame but when I got my last one it took 9 weeks. Although you can get them rushed for an extra charge.
I had one rushed for me about 5 years ago and it took 3 weeks.

 

I asked this at the Post Office about 10 days ago.

1) They told me two weeks from the time it was submitted, but it's the US Government, not Toyota.

2) I don't know.

3) You don't need anything to pick up an app, but for the actual Passport, you need a Driver's License and an official copy of your birth certificate - the kind with the 'official raised stamp', to get a passport.

You need a passport if you are going to FLY into Canada (and back) now, but if you are driving, or going by train or bus (land), you don't need one until 2008.

 

It took me about 6 weeks to get mine but if you need it faster they will expedite it for an additional fee. I had to give them my birth certificate when i submitted the application and it was mailed back to me with my passport.

 

I used an expedited service to get mine. For about $200 extra I had it in my hands after 2 days. If your most recent drivers license was issued less than a year ago you can expect to provide quite a bit more documentation.

 

To answer your second question, if you are a US Citizen you don't need to have any visas. Just bring your license or some other identification cards and you're set.

We were in Germany last year for BMW European Delivery and from what I can remember, they just looked at our passport.

 

I had one expedited a few years back and I don't remember it being in my hands in 2 days but I believe that I had it the same business week. Otherwise it moves at the speed of government.

By the way you only need a passport (currently) to fly or float into Canada. If you drive it you can still use a birth cert and drivers license to cross the boarders. This will change soon however. I believe that the change is slated to happen in Jan 08 but there are those that are trying to have this extended. Personally I don't see the big deal with having to have a passport it is an international boarder for God's sake.

 

Don't bring Canada into this. This has nothing to do with Canadian law.

 

Do your homework on visa requirements of the countries you want to visit:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html

You don't want to be denied entry. I know Brazil & Russia requires visas.

I found it funny that the Brazilian application has a line asking if you are a nazi party member. I guess there are still a few of them around.

 

Actually it is USA being defensive. Your rules, not ours. Presumably making all US travellers get passports to get back home will help in the war on terror.

Gerrit in frozen Toronto