Passport-less-ness

If there's a more terrible feeling than putting your passport in an envelope and sending it out of your life for an undetermined amount of time while the government sends you a renewal...I'm not sure what it is.  It's the feelings of restless, distress, hopeless, and sadness all mixed together: "passport-less-ness" seems an appropriate term to describe not only the state of affairs but the emotional component that goes along with it!

Here's your friendly travel reminder to always keep track of your passport expiration date!

Most federal governments have a policy in which travelers must have at least 6 months left before the expiration of their passport upon entering their country.  Be sure to know before you go!

There are expedited services in the US and, as long as your passport hasn't been completely destroyed, you can do a simple online form, get passport pics taken at your local drug store/pharmacy (CVS, Rite Aid, etc) and mail them in with a personal check.  You can pay cash or credit card at an agency, but it seems like a much bigger hassle.  Money makes the world go round, and it also makes YOU go 'round the world...faster.  For an extra fee you can get expedited service to have your passport back in your wanderlust hands faster than the average traveler.

You can get most information online these days, but, as always, please assure that you are on a legitimate government website so that you don't get duped!  Because nobody likes when that happens!  For U.S. citizens, the go-to passport renewal site is:

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/renew.html

Happy Travels All!