Even in the age of information and technology, the passport renewal process for some individuals is shrouded in mystery. The knowledge deficit restricts them from making educated decisions and eventually fall prey to adversities. Bringing a change in the status quo, we have put together credible answers for the most frequently asked questions regarding passport renewal and related queries. So read on and help yourself with prudent decisions.
How do you renew passport via mail?
Contrary to the conventional renewal process, renewals via mail exempt you from appearing in person. Additionally, the process does not entail much effort. The process is accomplishable in three simple steps:
Fill in the DS-82 application form either online or on paper.
Assimilate support documents, such as existing passport, passport-size photograph, and renewal fee.
Package and mailing it to the regional National Passport Processing Center.
How do you determine your candidature for the Passport Renewals by mail?
Your candidature for the said service depends on a few parameters mentioned below:
Your document should be in a proper condition. Badly mutilated passports are not entertained. Herein, appearance in person and application acceptance facility is necessary.
You need not apply if you are aged 16 or below
Document issued within 15 years are eligible.
The passport needs to bear your current name. Else, providing supporting documents is essential.
What is the appropriate time for renewing your passport?
Passport is a key document, especially when it comes to determining your citizenship in alien shores. So, apply at least a month before you embark on an offshore trip. Even if any such trip is not in the reckoning, you should keep the document valid. It is advisable to initiate the renewal process nine months prior to the expiry date. Moreover, you can consider the renewal at the time of your convenience, even years before the expiry. However, in such cases, a brief explanation may be required on your part.
Where should you mail your application and related documents?
The mailing address may vary as per requirements and geographical location.
If you have ample time at your disposal, applying for Routine Service is recommended. Herein, the mailing address is National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155.
In an event of an emergency, Expedite Service is recommended. The mailing address for the said service is as follows: National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90955, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955.
What are the expenses involved in the passport renewal process?
You need to write a check of $140 payable to National Passport Processing Center. The payment of $110 is meant for a passport book and the rest will account for a passport card. For added convenience, the request for both “ the book and card “ can be made via the same form. The passport renewal process also involves other service expenses, such as the cost of a registered courier.
There is a protocol you will have to follow if you are applying for a new passport. It is better to apply for the passport in person by filling the form DS-11 in these following cases:
In case you don’t follow any of the aforementioned points, you can apply for a renewal of a passport online by filling DS-8 form.
Steps and requirements for applying for a new passport
Application form
You can download the DS-11 application form online from the travel.state.gov website. There are important terms you should follow while filling the form. It is important to read them carefully and do as directed.
There is an acceptance agent you should wait for before she/he tells you to sign the form post filling it. You also need to provide a social security number if you have been issued one. In case you do not have a social security number, you can submit a statement which is signed and dated, and which includes the phrase “I declare under the penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I have never been issued a Social Security Number by the Social Security Administration.”
You may have to apply for a larger passport that has 52 pages, however, there is no additional cost. To apply for a 52 pages passport, you can check the box ’52 pages’ which is at the top of the DS-11 form.
Evidence for citizenship
Whatever evidence you decide you present, it must be an original or a certified copy of the document. You must also carry a copy of the original document. Here are the requirements to prove your citizenship while applying for a new passport.
Photocopy of the evidence of your citizenship
You need to submit the photocopy of the front and back of the evidence you are submitting. It is important that the photocopies you submit are legible, taken on white standard paper with 8.5″x11″, in the black and white font, and single sided. The requirements have to be adhered to while applying for a new passport.
Another important requirement for a new passport is the fees you have to pay for the passport. For children, the fee is approximately $120, and the fee for adults is approximately $165.
Besides being an entryway to offshore travel and employment opportunities, your passport is also your safeguard against travel liberty intrusions. Such a key document needs to be legally binding for the entire duration of the trip to steer clear from trouble. Contrary to the popular sentiment, passport renewal is not that an intricate process. The US Department of State empowers you with an expedited service by mail, which is fast, convenient, and reliable. Additionally, the authority does not require you to be present in person provided the requirement is not urgent. You can consider hiring a registered courier service for added convenience.
Candidates for passport renewals by mail
The US Department of State has laid down elaborate criteria for passport renewal by mail. You are a more likely candidate for the service if the document does not carry significant damages and was issued when you were 16 years or above. Passports made within the past 15 years are eligible for the service. Additionally, the document needs to carry your current name, or else you need to furnish relevant documents to testify the name change.
Steps for passport renewal
Passport renewal is a straightforward process accomplishable in three simple steps. Let’s be specific about the nitty-gritty of each step for a better insight.
Fill in Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82
The passport renewal gets underway when you fill up the DS-82 application form. The form can be completed via online and offline modes alike. If you prefer offline mode, it is essential to download the form, take a hard copy, and write the desired information using black ink. You need to be clear with the writing, as illegibly presented information can result in printing errors, and rectifying them can be a cumbersome process. If you wish to keep such issues at bay, opt for completing the application form digitally. The process is convenient and prompt, and the only requirement is a stable internet connection. If the connection falters during the process, you need to download the passport application.
Keep supporting documents ready
Thankfully, not many supporting documents are required for a passport renewal. All you need to furnish is your existing passport, which will come back to you as an invalidated document. If your passport is in a severely disfigured state, you may need to appear in person. Additionally, submitting a recent 2x 2 passport-sized photograph is a requisite. In case, you had a name change in the recent past, sending in evidence documenting the act is essential. The document can be either a court order issued recently or a marriage or adoption certificate.
Package and mail
The ultimate step for passport renewal involves packing and mailing your form, renewal fee check, and other related documents to the regional National Passport Processing Center. Ensure that the check is written in the name of The Department of State and carries your personal information, including full name and DOB, on the front side. For safety reasons, prefer using Tyvek envelopes with additional protective packing.
Getting a new passport made will require you to produce evidence that helps you identify yourself as a US citizen. If you are applying for a new passport for the first time, there is a DS-11 form that you will need to fill and submit along with a copy of all the necessary documents. For renewing the old passport, the existing passport is used as the evidence.
If you are getting your passport made, you can prove your identity with any photo identification document or card. Driver’s license, military identification card, state identification card, any government employee identification, or any other document that is similar to these can be produced. You will have to carry your original documents along with their copies. The copies will be submitted to the passport officials.
Requirements for proving citizenship for a new passport
There are several documents you can use to prove your citizenship. You will need any one of the documents mentioned below.
In case you do not possess the documents mentioned above, you can apply for a new passport by providing any two of the below mentioned documents according to the requirements.
Along with these documents mentioned above, you will need to submit a passport size photo (which is 2×2 inches) that has to be recent and not more than 6 months old. There is a protocol you need to follow while you get your passport photo clicked. It is one of the important requirements for a new passport. Your facial expressions should be neutral, and your ears should be visible in the photo. Your head in the photo should be 1-3/8 inches from the chin to the top of your head. You can get your passport photo clicked at the passport acceptance center to get the accurate photo.
You need to be present at the passport acceptance facility for your passport. You can get an appointment with the facility before you go there for the same. You should also cross-check with all the requirements for a new passport before you go there so that you are completely prepared.
One of the most popular series by Samsung is the Galaxy series. It recently launched its new top-of-the-line Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Note9. This new Samsung flagship is bigger and more powerful than the previous models of the series. It is also available in a range of colors to choose from. It is one of the most high-end Android phones of 2018 and is bound to grab your attention. Read on to know why the new Samsung Galaxy Note9 is the best smartphone to buy right now.
Gaming and watching videos have been revolutionized
The 6.4-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED 2960×1440-pixel resolution display is one of the striking features of the Samsung Galaxy Note9. The bezels are quite thin and the display is available in two colors – Lavender Purple and Ocean Blue. The Ocean Blue variant comes with a contrasting yellow S pen, which gives an eye-catchy and unique look to the smartphone.
Worth the money
The pricing of any smartphone is one of the most important factors to consider before buying a smartphone and in most cases, the ultimate deal breaker. The Samsung Galaxy Note9 is anything but reasonable. The 128GB storage variant costs $999.99, while the 512GB variant costs $1,249.99. The price may seem expensive but the features that this smartphone offers make it totally worth it.
S pen reinvented
The stylus S pen is of the same shape and size as the Samsung Galaxy Note8. However, it gets a lot more things done than before. In order to connect to the phone over the Bluetooth for a short period of time, it has a small supercapacitor, which is a low capacity, high voltage battery. It provides up to 250 clicks and about 30 minutes of connectivity before it needs to be charged again. Also, as soon as it goes on the phone, it goes from 0% to 100% in just 40 seconds. Moreover, when its battery is over, you can still use the S pen as a writing implement on the screen. It has the same fantastic pressure sensitivity and tracking that people are in love with.
Perfect camera for the perfect photos
The Samsung Galaxy Note9 is huge in the game, especially, when it comes to the cameras. The lenses, sensors, and hardware are the same as Samsung Galaxy S9. However, there is one notable change in the software know as “AI” camera, which provides additional features like flaw detection and screen optimizer. While taking a photo, the app analyzes the picture and notifies you if it detects any potential issues with the help of flaw detection. For example, if someone blinks in a group photo, it will detect the same and pop-up an alert to let you know the same so that you can click one more picture if you want to.
Improved battery life
The last year’s Samsung Galaxy Note8 took a step back in its battery to size 3,300 mAh from the previous model, the Samsung Galaxy Note7, which had a 3,500 mAh battery. However, Samsung has come back confidently in its ability to maximize battery life without laying any compromises on its safety with the Samsung Galaxy Note9 having a massive 4,000 mAh battery. In most battery tests with continuous streaming, the Samsung Galaxy Note9 has easily performed better than its competitors with its all-day battery life.
Equipped with water carbon cooling technology
Usually, powerful phones have a heating problem when used excessively. Samsung happens to have found a solution to this problem, it has found an ingenious way to keep the new Note9 cool when it is been put through a lot of pressure. The new technology is called water carbon cooling, which is designed to reduce the over-heating. It is effective in reducing overheating as much as 21 percent during gaming sessions of intense graphics.
Store more, delete less
You no longer have to spend money on external storage, the company has included 125GB storage as default on its $999.99 Samsung Galaxy Note9 model; while, the $1,249.99 Samsung Galaxy Note9 model has 512GB storage option, which is a great news for people who require more built-in space for their apps and other media. It also has an additional microSD slot for expandable memory, and therefore, there is no need for deleting any useful app and pictures and videos having your precious memory.
Snapdragon 845 processor
The new Samsung Galaxy Note9 has an amazing sustainable performance with its Snapdragon 845 processor. The phone also has an AI-based performance to adjust the algorithms, which in turn, helps to get a balanced and sustainable performance with power.
Enhanced security
This phone comes with full-proof, solid security features. The security includes three different types of lock that are PIN, password, and pattern. It also comes with three biometric security measures like a fingerprint scanner, face recognition, and iris scanner.
So, what are you waiting for? Order the latest Samsung Galaxy Note9 now!
Here’s a simple introduction to the world of fixed income funds. If you’re planning on investing, or need something that generates fixed returns on your investments, income funds can be a great option for the long haul.
What They Are?
An income fund consists of stock, mutual bonds, and ETFs that seek to generate income for shareholders; these are invested in securities that offer fixed dividends or interest payments. Typically, these funds are very flexible. They can include preferred stocks, common stocks, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and bonds.
The Inner Workings Of Income Funds
Getting the best income funds usually involves a bit of risky investments. Let’s say you want to buy stock from a company, and invest $10,000. If the company doubles its stock prices after 5 years, your interest earned on your returns gets doubled as well. The risk involved depends on the creditworthiness or reputation of the company. For more established firms, your income funds are likely to pay off. Here, your investment involves a conservative amount of risk.
Here’s what makes income funds stand out
They invest both in stocks and in bonds, which can offer a hedge over market risks. There’s a correlation between bonds and stocks, though, and that’s something you need to remember.
Depending on the type of the income fund you invest in, you might not get regular payments. Companies will make special payments only at their own discretion.
The pricing of the income funds can fluctuate with market conditions; they are not fixed either. You must also consider your risk tolerance when you decide on income fund plans.
The Advantages Of Income Funds
With their plethora of stocks, bonds and ETFs, income funds offer diversification for investment portfolios. This is a good move for those interested in long-term investments and income generation.
The prospectus is one the most important documents to study when you decide to invest in an income fund. It details the income fund’s goals, strategies, and details about the fund manager.
The best part about these funds is that you can let the fund manager take care of asset allocations for you. You don’t have to worry about research, keeping track of your stocks and bonds, worrying about market fluctuation rates, and so on.
If you are looking for a way to boost your income and build up your savings for the future, getting a fixed income fund plan is a great idea.
Every woman desires to have thick, long, and full eyelashes that can make other women jealous! The best mascara enhances the beauty of the eyes by making them look more graceful and elegant. Your mascara speaks a lot as it can give you an expressive eye. They can spell magic over the occasion and leave you with numerous compliments.
Regardless of what your intentions are, the key to getting those lush eyelashes is to understand your eyelash type and find the most appropriate formula for them! Once you settle on both, you need to know the best way to apply mascara to look like the star you are! Read more to choose the best mascara. Before you buy the best mascara, it is important to know your needs and requirements.
There are different types of mascara for various length of eyelashes.
There are formulas that make your eyelashes look thicker and also help enhance your look if you pair it with the right type of makeup. With neutral makeup, there are some thickening and volumizing formulas that can be used for daily wear.
There are a few mascara products with mascara on one end and a primer on the other to avoid smudging. Some volumizing products come in a tube and are more suitable for day to day usage.
Longer your eyelashes, the prettier you look! Long eyelashes give the right balance of elegance and oomph factor on your overall look. Mascaras give a dramatic twist to these long eyelashes. They are great for a woman who likes the natural look and avoids wearing eyeshadow. Lengthening formulas are perfect for that classy look as well.
For teenagers who love experimenting with different colors, mascara with colors is the best option. Vibrant colors are often used to stand out which gives your eyes an unusual twist. Based on your eye color, you can choose the right colored mascara. For people with blue eyes, navy blue mascara looks really neat. For people with brown eyes, deep amethyst colored mascara is recommended.
There are some mascaras that work for all purposes. If you can get one of those mascaras that can do curling and coloring, lengthening, volumizing, and separating then you must go for it. These types of mascaras can do wonders for your eyes and make you look like a celebrity.
-If you want your eyelashes to look thicker, use black eyeliner between your top eyelashes and then smudge it. This makes false eyelashes look natural or you can do it the other way round.
-If you have really fair skin with blonde hair then a softer shade would serve to be the best mascara for you. For brunettes with fair skin, pretty much every shade does the magic. Redheads having fair skin look amazing with auburn mascara! For people with medium or dark skin tones with darker eyes, black or brown mascara is recommended.
-Always have a mini-arsenal on hand just in case you are out of mascara. Avoid using mascara every day as it can cause breakage of your eyelashes. Mascaras with vibrant colors are good only for casual settings.
At the end of the day, your occasion really matters. Choose the right kind of mascara for your event. So do a lot of experimenting and try different looks until you find what suits best for you. Sometimes it all boils down to perception. The best mascara for you will always be the one that you love the most. Make sure that you use the right mascara of a well-known brand. A cheap or a local mascara can take away the glow of your face.