What the Government Isn't Telling You About Your Passport

Did you know that all United States passports issued since August 2007 contain RFID chips? RFID chips are small microchips that operate on radio frequencies so that they can be scanned without physical contact - if you have to wave your ID card to access the back room at your office, that's an example of RFID chips at work. US Passports are outfitted with these chips now and they carry all of your personal information. Why is this so important to you?

Be careful of pickpockets in crowded urban areas

Identity theft is a very serious and growing threat, and RFID chip scanners are readily available and in use by thieves all over the world. It's very important that you do not leave your passport in someone else's hands for this reason, just to be on the safe side. Some travelers even go so far as to purchase scanner-blocking wallets or cases for their passports than ensure they can't be read unless they are removed from the case. Naturally, the government outfits the chips with layers of protection, but such measures are no guarantee and provide no particularly enhance identity theft protection. Hackers become more sophisticated all the time, so it is better to be safe than sorry.

While traveling, be careful to make sure your passport is not seen or opened by anyone other than legal officials. Never leave your passport as collateral, unless it is required in a medical emergency. Make sure your travel insurance protects you in the event of identity theft, and be alert for anything or anyone that seems suspicious.

US Passport Application: Card, Book, New, Renew?

Today's post is aimed at United States citizens with an eye to travel abroad. Not everyone is aware of the restrictions and rules that come with leaving the Land of the Free, so here are a few basics to get you started.

Americans can't scale the Great Wall without a passport

It's all about the passport. You can't get into Canada without a passport. In fact, U.S. citizens can't leave the United States at all without a valid passport. That means anyone taking a Bahamas or Caribbean cruise needs a passport, as does anyone heading to Mexico for spring break. Those rules are new; citizens flying abroad have always needed a passport to do so.

If you've never had to get a passport before, the process can seem daunting. Do you want a card or a book? (Answer: the card is for land and sea access only to neighbors like Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean; the book passport is needed for any international air travel) Where do you get your picture taken? (Your local post office or warehouse store can do the trick) First time applicants must submit their passport request in person; the closest "Acceptance Facility" is usually a post office. You can do a search at the Department of State's website.

You'll need to prove your citizenship (an original or certified copy of your birth certificate is best), along with photo ID (such as your driver's license). Full requirements and fee schedules are found at the government's travel.state.gov website.

Make sure you take care of getting your passport well in advance of your travels. What if you can't locate a certified birth certificate? It can take weeks to get a new one. Getting your passport is one thing you can't procrastinate with when it comes to trip planning.