Month: November 2016

Do You Need a Passport to Fly Domestically?

Posted on by Lloyd C

Are you getting ready to book a domestic flight and wondering if you need a passport? Good news: It’s rarely necessary for Americans to carry their passports when flying domestically within the United States.

However, there have been some travel document changes due to heightened security in recent years, making it more important than ever that travelers know what is required of them before arriving at their departure airport. We will try to answer the question: Do you need a passport to fly Domestically?

Highlights

  • When traveling within the US, you don’t need a passport to fly, but make sure you have a valid driver’s license or state ID. Check if your ID is REAL-ID compliant before May 2025 to avoid any issues.
  • When traveling domestically within the US, a passport is not required by airlines or TSA. However, it is advisable to have it as a secondary form of identification.

What is the REAL ID Act?

The REAL ID Act of 2005 is a federal law that requires all states to standardize their driver’s licenses and identification cards. This means that, except in certain circumstances, travelers will need valid documentation such as a passport or enhanced driver’s license when flying domestically within the United States.

Make sure your state-issued ID meets the security standards set by the Real ID Act, or it won’t be accepted for federal purposes, such as domestic flights. Verify if your ID is compliant before traveling or you could take your passport or passport card.

Both Passport Book and Passport Card are Accepted I.D. for Domestic Flights

A passport card is not for air travel but a good ID to carry.

However, if you have a passport book or passport card, you can use either of them as an acceptable form of I.D. for air travel within the United States. The passport book and card are official documents issued by the U.S. Department of State that provide proof of your citizenship and identity when traveling abroad. When used domestically, they prove both your identity and your U.S. citizenship, which is required for air travel in the United States.

Make sure your passport book or card meets the standards set by the REAL ID Act, so it will be accepted at airports and other federal buildings and facilities. If you don’t have a passport book or card, you can apply for one through an authorized passport agency or office.

Can I Still Fly in the US Without a REAL ID?

Starting from May 7, 2025, REAL ID will be implemented without any additional delays. Therefore, individuals aged 18 and above in the United States will be required to possess a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, identification card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license (EDL), or an alternative acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel. Learn more below about each state ID requirement.

Conclusion

The U.S. passport book and card are official documents issued by the Department of State that help prove both your identity and U.S. citizenship when traveling abroad or domestically. Before you travel, make sure your passport meets the REAL ID Act standards to avoid any problems at airports and other federal buildings or facilities.

If you don’t already have a passport book or card, you can apply for one through an authorized passport agency or office. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time before your trip to make sure your application is processed in time.

Good luck! Bon voyage!

Apply for a Passport? No Eyeglasses Allowed In New Passport Photos.

Posted on by waleed

As of November 1, 2016, the State Department will no longer allow eyeglasses in official passport photos. Some experts estimate that every 6 out of 10 people wear corrective lenses. This is one change that could affect millions of people moving forward.

The New York Daily News indicates that the change was made, in part, to help decrease the total number of applications that are rejected each year due to poor quality photos. Eyeglasses in passport photos regularly create glare and cause shadows, making processing passport photos difficult. Experts indicate that out of the 200,000+ passports sent in with poor-quality photos in 2015 alone, the number one issue was with eyeglasses.

Passport Photo Considerations

It’s important to note that this new rule regarding eyeglasses goes into effect even if you always wear lenses. Or even if you’ll be wearing them while traveling. It’s also worth mentioning that the State Department has said that if your CURRENT US passport features a picture of you wearing eyeglasses, you do NOT have to apply for a new passport right away.

However, the next time your passport application is renewed, you must take a new photo. You can not wear eyeglasses while doing so.

Passport Photo 360

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, taking a passport photo isn’t a long and frustrating process. Thanks to the new Passport Photo 360 app, you can complete it in just a few short minutes with any smartphone or tablet.

Prevent yourself from being one of the 250,000 passport applications that are rejected and rejected for not meeting the government standard when it comes to your photo. Just open the app, snap the picture with your smartphone or tablet, and select a nearby Walgreens for printing. From the moment you take your picture, your photo will be ready for pick up in about 60 minutes.

Passport Photo 360 is available for the iOS and Android operating systems and is available to download now on the app store of your choice.

Features of Passport Photo 360

  • Real-time Review & Compliance checks
  • Print to any Walgreens Location
  • Easy to Use with simple to use the screen to check and verify passport photo.

Conclusion

Passport Photo 360 is a great tool for ensuring your passport photos comply with government standards. With real-time review and compliance checks, you can be sure your photo will meet all the requirements for your passport application. The ability to print to any Walgreens location makes it easy to get a printed photo when you need one. Passport Photo 360 is available for download now on the app store of your choice. Get started today and ensure you have professional-looking passport photos meeting all government standards. Passport Photo 360 lets you know that the government will accept your passport photograph.