Month: July 2019

Rules for Pets While Traveling: A Guide About Traveling With Pets

If you are planning on taking your pet on vacation or for any other reason to another country, you should know the laws that apply to travel with pets.

Understandably placing your pet in someone else’s care while you’re away might be uncomfortable or too expensive, so it only makes sense to take the pet with you. From documentation to health checks, here’s all you need to know about traveling with your pet.

Traveling Local or International With A Pet

When traveling domestically, your dog does not need any identification, though it is highly recommended to bring it regardless.

When traveling internationally, on the other hand, you will need a few things. For starters, like any person, a pet requires a passport to travel abroad. Commonly known as a ‘pet passport,’ it is additional forms of documentation that allows your pet to go over an international border.

Some Requirements Before Traveling

Before you take your pet on an adventure, there are some requirements you must adhere to before going. Here are some conditions:

make sure that your pet has been in the US for at least six months for safety reasons involving the contraction of rabies
your pet needs to go to a veterinarian location approved by the USDA
it should get a rabies vaccination
visits and vaccination must be within 30 days before travel abroad

Pet-Friendly Airlines & Travel Review

Airlines	Price	Cabin	Checked Bags	Restrictions
Jetblue Airlines	$125.00 Each Way	Yes	No	JetPaws Program only accept small cats and dogs
American Airlines	Contact Airline for Prices	Yes	Yes	American Airlines pet policy states they do not accept pets that are brachyacephatic (snug-nosed) dogs as check baggage
United Airlines	$125.00 Each Way	Yes	Yes	United Airlines policy states that pets are not permitted with unaccompanied minors and must be pets most be at least 4 months to travel.
Southwest Airlines	$95.00 Each Way	Yes	No	Southwest Airlines policy states that pets are only allowed in the main cabin and are not allowed as checked baggage.
Delta Airlines	$125.00 Each Way & $200.00 for the Virgin Islands and International	Yes (Service Animal Only)	Yes	Delta policy states pets are only allowed in the cabin if the pet is a service animal all other pets are required to be check-in as check bag.
Lufthansa Airlines	$92.00 USD (Domestic) $115.00 (Europe) $200.00 Japan	Yes	Yes	Lufthansa Airlines requires that are the kennel be escape-proof and recommend that the kennel be sturdy plastic or wooden cages.
Amtrak	$26.00	Yes (Pets are only allowed in Coach Class)		Your pet must be at least eight weeks old and be odorless and harmless.
Spirit Airlines	Contact Airline for Prices	Yes	No	Spirit only allow pets to be in the main cabin only
Frontier Airlines	$75.00	Yes	No	Frontier only allow pets to be in the main cabin only
Air India	Contact Airline for Prices	Yes	Yes	Some routes in-cabin pets are not allowed.

Plane Regulations For Pets

There are also plane regulations for taking your pet. Your pet must be able to live in the environment comfortably; it is traveling depending on the temperature and other factors. Make sure the pet is well fed and not thirsty before boarding.

There are three ways your pet can travel with you:

on the plane with you
on a separate flight
or, by a licensed commercial pet shipper

While having your pet travel with you is the best option, your pet might not be permitted to travel with you, whether it is due to size or breed. This is when the commercial shippers come in as they have more options as to transporting your pet, all to give your pet the best experience.

So, make sure you abide by all the rules so that your pet can travel. Once you are on your vacation, keep a close eye on your pet. Make sure it doesn’t come in contact with other sick animals before returning home. You do not want to carry any disease when traveling as well as return with any.

When Does a Child Need a Passport? Essential Travel Requirements for Minors

Traveling with kids can be exciting, but it requires careful planning. One important thing to consider is whether your child needs a passport.

Children of all ages need a passport for international travel by air. This includes newborns and infants. The rules are different for land and sea travel to certain countries.

Getting a passport for your child involves some extra steps compared to adult passports. It’s best to start the process early to avoid any last-minute stress before your trip.

Passport Requirements for Minors

Getting a passport for a child involves specific rules and paperwork. The requirements vary based on the child’s age and situation.

General Eligibility Criteria

Children of all ages need passports to travel abroad. Both parents or legal guardians must give permission. This rule applies to kids under 16. Parents need to show proof of their relationship to the child.

Acceptable documents include birth certificates or adoption papers. The child must be present when applying. A recent photo of the child is needed. The photo must meet strict guidelines for size and quality.

Age-Specific Requirements

For babies and toddlers under 5, parents fill out the application. Kids aged 5-15 must sign their own forms. Teens 16-17 can apply on their own, but need parental consent.

Younger children’s passports are valid for 5 years. For those 16 and older, passports last 10 years. Fees differ based on age. Rush processing is available for an extra cost.

Situations Mandating a Passport

Kids need passports for international flights. This includes trips to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Cruises that stop in foreign ports also require passports.

Some land or sea travel might allow other documents. But a passport is the safest choice. It’s needed for emergencies abroad. Adopted children from other countries need passports to enter the U.S.

Applying for a Child’s Passport

Getting a passport for a child involves specific steps and documents. Both parents usually need to be present or give consent. The process can take several weeks.

Application Process Steps

Fill out Form DS-11 for the child. Don’t sign it yet. Gather needed documents. Make an appointment at a passport office or acceptance facility.

Go to the appointment with your child. Bring all required items. An agent will check your forms and documents. They’ll also witness you sign the application.

Pay the fees. Standard processing takes 4-6 weeks. Expedited service is faster but costs more.

Necessary Documentation

Bring proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship. A birth certificate or naturalization certificate works. You’ll also need proof of your relationship to the child.

The child needs a passport photo. It must meet specific size and quality rules. Many drugstores offer passport photo services.

Both parents should bring valid ID. A driver’s license or passport is good. If you’re a guardian, bring proof of your legal status.

Parental Consent Provisions

Both parents or guardians must agree to the passport. They can do this by going to the appointment together. If one parent can’t come, they can fill out Form DS-3053.

In some cases, one parent may have sole authority. This might be due to a court order or other legal document. Bring proof if this applies to you.

If you can’t get the other parent’s consent, you may be able to fill out Form DS-5525. This is for special family situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting a passport for a child involves several key considerations. Parents often have questions about the process, requirements, and special situations that may arise.

How can I obtain a passport for my child if one parent is absent?

If one parent can’t be present, you need a notarized Form DS-3053 from the absent parent. This form gives consent for the passport application. In some cases, you may need to show proof of sole legal custody or a court order.

Is the presence of both parents mandatory when applying for a child’s passport?

Both parents should be present when applying for a child’s passport. If one parent can’t come, they must provide a notarized consent form. Single parents may need to show extra documents to prove they have sole authority.

What are the costs associated with obtaining a child’s passport?

The fee for a child’s passport book is $80. There’s also a $35 execution fee. Passport cards cost $15 plus the $35 fee. These prices are for standard processing. Expedited service costs an extra $60.

What specific documentation is required for a minor’s first U.S. passport application?

You’ll need proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship, like a birth certificate. Both parents’ IDs are required. You must fill out Form DS-11. The child must be present at the passport acceptance facility. Bring a recent passport photo of the child too.

At what age does a child require their own passport for international travel?

All U.S. citizens, including newborns, need their own passport for international air travel. This rule applies to all ages. For land or sea travel to some countries, children under 16 might use a birth certificate instead of a passport.

Are children required to have a passport when going on a cruise?

It depends on the cruise itinerary. For closed-loop cruises that start and end at the same U.S. port, kids under 16 can use a birth certificate. For cruises that visit foreign ports and don’t return to the same U.S. port, all passengers need passports.

Steps To Take If You Are Running Out of Passport Pages

Those who travel all the time know the feeling of running out of blank pages in a passport. Depending on each persons’ situation, there is a different solution to the problem of running out of pages.

The whole point of having blank pages in a passport is for the nation you are traveling to stamp your proof of arrival into your passport. Not all countries do the stamping process, but make sure you always have space left in your passport before you travel each time.

Over the past couple of years, replacing filled up passport pages has only gotten more difficult, so it is crucial that you are thoroughly updated on the newest policy and steps. Before the new laws were enacted, you were able to physically able to add pages to your passport without having to get a new passport. In an attempt to increase security amongst travelers, this option was terminated.

The critical thing to remember about traveling with a passport is that every country has its own rules. While some countries might let you get away with not having any place to stamp, other countries might not allow entry into their country, even if you are waiting in their airport. Knowing this will surely make your future travels both safer and secure on the mind.

Getting More Passport Pages

As stated previously, you cannot get more pages added to your existing passport, but there are a couple of ways of adding on blank pages to the same passport. If your passport is running out of pages and you plan on traveling soon, you can renew your passport by mail before it expires.

When you are replacing your passport, you can apply for an additional number of pages in your passport (52 pages compared to the standard 24 pages). The application you need to renew this passport is Form DS-82, which is made explicitly for passport renewals.

Since you are technically not getting a new passport but only adding pages to an existing one, the application and passport itself are free of charge.

Emergency Passport Situation

Sometimes a situation arises where you only look at your passport right before you leave for your trip. It is only then that you realize that you don’t have any empty pages in your passport and you need to add some pages as soon as possible. In these cases, you have a couple of options.

Your first option is going to an embassy or consulate and telling them about your situation. For instance, if you are traveling to Spain, you would go to the U.S. Embassy, explain what happened, and request an emergency passport. The embassy or consulate will usually allow this because it is not a serious security issue to grant you an emergency passport.

The downside of being in this kind of emergency is that unlike getting a renewal ahead of time, the emergency passport will cost you as much as a regular passport along with the processing fees. Also, the emergency passport will only last you one year with a lot less blank pages than an ordinary passport since it should not substitute your original passport.

Part of being a good traveler is being as responsible as possible before, during, and after your traveling. Things such as having blank pages in your passport might not seem like a big deal until you realize that not having blank pages can cost you your trip.

Maintaining consistency while planning your trip and not forgetting any steps in that plan will ensure that your trip abroad will go just the way you intended it to go.