help with passports

[KGT1200]

I'm hoping somebody in the BMWMOA group is smarter than me with experience in getting passports, because I'm stumped!

I am getting ready to get our passports, and pulled up on line some "How To" with some surprising information: Is it true that in order to submit your application, you have to submit proof of itinerary? How the heck do I do that when my "Itinerary" includes going on a BMW without an Itinerar? We have the 2x2 pics, the birth Certificate originals, Drivers Licenses, official picture ID's for the not so little 13 yr old and all the rest of the jazz...

What’s up here? I wanted to just have a passport for WHATEVER may come up that I need to get out of the country...fast not a pass that dictates and restricts my movement...sort of like Nazi Germany...has it come to this? Tell me no!

[Ted]

No :)

Start here at the US State Department "How to get a Passport" Page:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html

There is no mention of having to file a proof of itinerary, nor have I ever heard that being required.

As a side note, be exceptionally wary of passport services - if you have a decent amount of lead time you should have no problems if you have the proper docs (government issued picture ID, birth certificate & regulation photos.) It should take no longer than 6 weeks for a standard application, three weeks for an expedited (http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_831.html) ($60 fee). If you need it quicker than that, a little known secret is that your Congressman (202-224-3121) can often push these through in a week or so though for the very quick (few days) turnaround time ones you may indeed need to show proof of need with travel documents.

As for itineraries - as a purely optional, free service, you may register your itinerary with the State Department here (https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/). If you are traveling to a, errrr, less than stable part of the world it is generally a good idea (along with checking in with the US Embassy/Consulate when you arrive and leave.)

[aerialfilm1]

It's been a while since i renewed my passport, but i don't think you even have to have a trip planned. Sounds like you may be confused with getting a Visa to a specific country. :scratch

[bigdelta]

is when applying for a visa for Russia.Both China and Russia wanted to know where I was staying and wanted a copy of my hotel reservation.But then again,I'm considered a subversive on this board. :dunno

[dlearl476]

some surprising information: Is it true that in order to submit your application, you have to submit proof of itinerary? How the heck do I do that when my "Itinerary" includes going on a BMW without an Itinerar?

I believe the "proof of itinerary" is either for expedited processing or for travel to a country that requires a visa. AFAIK, you'll need proof of vaccinations for some as well, if that's where you're headed.
Otherwise, just pull the form and fill it out (may even allow you to fill it out online then print it out, typewritten) then take it to a post office along with your docs. Show 'em ID, sign the paper, and they send it off.

I get my Passport renewed as a matter of course because I need it 3-4 times a year, never had to prove an itinerary.

[rik]

Dale

No need to give itinerary. Do not believe their timeline either. Pay the extra to expidite. My son got his in 10 days.

Rick

[Bokrijder]

Trip up point - be aware that the document issued to your parents at your time of birth may possibly not be a Birth Certificate. Some municipalities issued certificates of birth registration. In the past these were not accepted.
Excepting the time factor, it was no problem as the original issuing office would produce a Birth Certificate on request.
Itinerary - through the years, I've simply jotted down a few countries in the general geographic areas where I typically operated assuming that clerks hate to see empty boxes.
Go in person or expedite, don't even consider saving a few dollars. That rule has been in place for at least 25 years.

Motard

[AllanCook]

No. I recently renewed mine and did not list any itinerary. It seems like a pretty pointless requirement, since passports are used for a lot more than travel these days.

[wsteinborn]

It is only required if you expedite the service. For them to speed it up they want to you you need it speeded up due to an impending trip.

Might also be for countries requiring a VISA. Re-read the instructions, I would say.