Passports ?

[LuckyLady]

This year I am going to expand my travels outward instead of my normal east coast trips.

So with that I need a passport and I have never been out of the country so I am going to need one. I would imagine that there are quite a few people on here that have passports, so what do I need to do?

[Captain Rich Adler]

Call your local county store, it will be in the largest mall in your area, you bring in multiple forms of ID, (birth certificate, utility bills, motor vehicle license) they will take your photo, send off the application and you get your passport back in about 8 weeks. There is one in the Echelon Mall in Voorhees if you feel like driving that far. Or go to your local post office and pick up the application and do it yourself. Or there are services that can do it for you and you can get the whole thing done it about 10 days to two weeks, (at a greater cost.)

[flatbottom]

luckylady I would also recommend a close relative do the same. Having a close relative with a passport in hand should you need them for any reason makes sense these days.

[Squidnation]

Go to your local post office and find out if that is a passport office. if not they will direct you to a passport office post offices. You will need your Drivers license orginal birth certificate and ssn card. They should be able to take the photos right their but if they can't then you will need two identical passport photos. you can get those taken at any camera shop or photo studio.


currently it takes a while to get a passport. normal delivery about 10 weeks.

expedite about 2 weeks


next you will need to decide where you want to go.

once you decided you will want to check that embassy on line to see if that country requires a entrance Visa. If it does then you will want to get another two pictures taken to send that, your passport and your application to that embassy. Some countries require vaccinations and some even require bank statements to prove that you have enough money in case you get into a jam. But most either don't require a visa or are simple.

If you are traveling for the first time it may be best to use a reputable outfitter such as Southfishing.com. or if you have inside information from friends then it will be easier to get it done yourself.

Make sure to ask lots of questions with whomever you chose and make sure they are willing to take lots of time to answer. IF they sound rushed or annoyed chose someone else.

If a possible language barrier is in the cards make sure that you will have an english speaking capt and mate.

Don't go cheap on your first adventure. I have a brother who always goes cheap and then bitches he didn't catch fish. Duh? Check the board for references. I will no longer go somewhere internationally without checking a reference from someone I know. It cost too much to be disappointed.

understand that you may be going to third world places that have different ideas about great accomodations. Ask lots of questions so you are not shocked. For example jake and I were going to fish a tournament in trinidad. When I went to the rules and regs of that tournamnet I noticed the first rule was that every boat must have a working radio on the boat. Theirs your sign!

Make sure transportation to and from the camp or hotel is included in the price. especially on your first one. It is very comforting going to a foreign country and getting of the plane to see someone holding a sign with your name on it. especially if you don't know the language.

Go to your doctor and ask for a perscription of Cipro (sp) its a kill anything antibiotic for most of the stuff you may encounter.

Ask questions about the condition of the tackle. Most of the times I take a couple of reels and fresh line.

Check around to make sure that you targeted species is at the height of season. Again, you are investing lots of money on these trips. You want to make sure you get the best possible chance at your target.

Good luck and feel free to ask any questions.

hope this helped.

Bill

[LuckyLady]

There's your sign, love that saying

All very helpful and appreciated!

Flat thanks for the advice, my family won't come get me tho just kidding!, lol

[waterman482]

There's your sign, love that saying

All very helpful and appreciated!

Flat thanks for the advice, my family won't come get me tho just kidding!, lol

I got my passport right there in manahawkin just go over to lynn photo have passport photos taken then take them to the passport office and fill the paperwork out and they take care of the rest oh yeah and the whole cipro thing is a good idea i just got a nasty infection down in venezuela and had a nasty fever for a week

[LuckyLady]

I got my passport right there in manahawkin just go over to lynn photo have passport photos taken then take them to the passport office and fill the paperwork out and they take care of the rest oh yeah and the whole cipro thing is a good idea i just got a nasty infection down in venezuela and had a nasty fever for a week

Lynn photo is a block and half from my house. I will take the cipro advice, just got over being sick with a bad cold, and I do not get sick often but it knocks the life out of me sometimes

[Catch-All]

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Download the passport application form off this site in .PDF format, print it out, fill it out, READ the instructions and go to your nearest disgruntled post office that accepts passport apps.

Take lots of pics on your trips(s). Memories last a lifetime but pics are better.

Catch

[wauwinet]

Passport offices are swamped right now. Make sure you apply 3 months before your trip. Don't try to expedite it once you have sent it in. It takes forever just to get through to the voicemail. If you think you need to expedite, just pay for it up front.

[LuckyLady]

Passport offices are swamped right now. Make sure you apply 3 months before your trip. Don't try to expedite it once you have sent it in. It takes forever just to get through to the voicemail. If you think you need to expedite, just pay for it up front.

Thanks, you answered my next question before I got to ask.