Author: Murray L

Did you know that less than half of Americans possess a passport? As of 2023, only 42% of people in America reported having a passport. While some are not interested in possessing a passport, others do not meet the criteria. This is because being granted a passport is based on each individual meeting certain qualifications.

What Disqualifies You From Getting a Passport?

In general, law-abiding citizens shouldn’t have any problems getting a passport. However, certain things can prevent an individual from being granted a passport. This can be anything from drug convictions to minors without consent. Are you worried that you might not be eligible for a passport? If you’re wondering what can stop you from getting a passport, then you’ve come to the right place.

We’re outlining the five most common reasons an individual in the United States would fail to meet passport standards.

1. Felony Drug Convictions

While not all felons are automatically denied a passport, certain felons are more likely to lead to an application being denied. These felons are often certain drug charges that will result in a denial.

According to the U.S. Code Classification Title, anyone convicted of a drug-related felony or misdemeanor cannot get a passport at that time. This timing includes the time in which one is incarcerated as well as during a probationary period. Those in this situation may even have their passports taken away if they already possess one.

2. Outstanding Child Support Payment

Anyone who has outstanding child support payments over the amount of $2500 will not be eligible for a passport. This helps to protect parents who are not receiving adequate funds from the other parents spending their monies on travel. Before even applying for a passport, parents dealing with child support should make arrangements to ensure their payments are paid in full.

If you are unsure as to what you may owe, you will need to contact your child support enforcement agency. Here, they will be able to explain the process of payments and outline any outstanding amounts.

Once the adequate payment is made, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will have to remove one’s name from the list. From here, an updated copy must be sent to the U.S. Department of State. Only once this list is received can the individual apply for a passport.

3. Unpaid Federal Student Loans

If you have an unpaid federal loan, the State Department has the ability to deny you a passport. Let’s provide some examples of what an unpaid federal loan might be.

The first example may be an individual traveling abroad and becoming incarcerated. From here, that individual may have accepted a loan from the U.S. government in order to be released back into the country. Without paying this loan back to the U.S., the individual can be denied a passport.

Once these loans are repaid in full, that individual can apply for and likely be granted a passport. On a similar note, if the U.S. government provides an individual and their family with a loan to get back to the U.S., that loan must be paid back in full in order to be granted a passport.

4. Minors Without Parental Consent

In order to get a passport without parental consent, an individual needs to be over the age of 16. If under the age of 16, minors require the consent of both parents or a legal guardian. These minors will need to apply in person, with a valid form of identification, and with a parent or legal guardian.

If only one parent is present for this, the other parent must provide notarized written consent. In the event of a single parent, they will have to provide evidence of sole custody.

The final option would be to have a third party present with a notarized written statement from both parents. This statement would attest to the fact they are giving consent for the minor to get a passport.

5. Incarcerated or Trouble with the Law

Those facing trouble with the law are more than likely going to be denied a passport. Of course, individuals who are currently in jail are not eligible for a passport. This also applies to anyone who is wanted or has a current warrant for their arrest. Until a court case has ruled the individual not guilty, they will not have success in being granted a passport.

This also applies to anyone who has been forbidden to leave the country or has, in the past, been found guilty of fraudulent passports. An individual can also be denied if the State Department considers them to be a legitimate threat to national security.

For individuals who have been in trouble with the law in the past, it’s best to check with a lawyer to understand if you will meet the qualifications.

Outlining What Can Stop You from Getting a Passport

While not every American takes advantage of what a passport can offer, some merely do not have the choice to possess one.

If you’ve been concerned about meeting the criteria for receiving a passport, you’re going to want to consider whether you conflict with the above standards. From unpaid child support to a warrant for your arrest, these are serious factors that are likely to deter one from getting a passport.

When getting a passport, it’s important to do it right the first time. After all, the associated passport fees will not be reimbursed for those who have their passport denied. Because of these reasons, it’s best to ensure beforehand that you meet all of the qualifications. To learn more about passport qualifications and what can stop you from getting a passport, be sure to visit our website today.

Why Would The IRS Deny Your Passport?

The IRS certifies taxpayers with seriously delinquent tax debts ($59,000.00) to the State Department for specific passport actions. After receiving the certification from the IRS, the State Department will typically not issue passports to these taxpayers.

Can I Travel Outside the U.S. If I Owe Child Support?

It depends on how much money you owe and your situation. Usually, it’s more than $2500.00 in unpaid child support. But if you plan to travel outside of the country and need to apply for a new passport or renew the one you have, you might not be able to go.

Conclusion:

At US Passport Help Guide, we believe that in order to make sure you receive your passport with no issues, it is essential to prepare and understand all of the requirements before applying for a passport. By taking the time to learn about the conditions you must meet and the risks associated with not meeting them, you will greatly increase your chances of receiving a valid passport without delay.

We are here to help you with any questions you may have about the passport application process and provide you with step-by-step guidance every step of the way.

Thank you for choosing US Passport Help Guide. We look forward to helping you get your passport quickly and without issues!

The year is over halfway complete, and new passport laws are in full swing. Do you know what they are? If not, you’re in the right place because we’re discussing the most recent updates that you need to know to travel with your passport.

What Are the New Passport Laws for 2024?

2018 is a big year for passport laws. In January, the Real ID Act came into effect for commercial airplanes, and on top of that, the State Department has made a variety of passport changes in the last couple of years.

If you haven’t looked into your passport status recently, now’s a good time to do it.

But just because the law is changing doesn’t mean you should fret. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most important new passport laws and how to deal with them.

Real ID Act

The biggest change in passport law has to do with the Real ID Act. Traditionally, the federal government accepted state IDs (such as driver’s licenses) as valid forms of identification. Then, in 2005 in the wake of 9/11, Congress decided that this policy was too much of a security risk and passed the Real ID Act. Under this act, the federal government will only accept state IDs if they adhere to strict regulations.

Visit the following states below to learn about the REAL ID Act

Why are you just now hearing about this law that Congress passed in 2005? The air travel portion of the law just kicked in this year. That means that if your state isn’t compliant with the Real ID Act, you need a passport (or other federal ID) to fly, even domestically.

Luckily, as of July 2018, every U.S. state is either compliant or has received an extension. But you still need to understand this new law; those extensions won’t last forever.

All States are REAL ID Compliant (November 15th, 2023)

As of November 15th, 2023, all states will be required to be REAL ID compliant, ensuring that the security of identification cards meets a higher standard. Professionalism and security are paramount in today’s world, and the adoption of REAL ID standards assures individuals that their personal information and identity are protected.

This has been a long-awaited initiative, and all states are committed to meeting this requirement. So, whether you’re traveling in the US or accessing certain federal facilities, the REAL ID will serve as your go-to identification card, and you can be confident that it meets rigorous security standards.

Questions & Answers

Can I Still Fly in The United States without a REAL ID?

Assuming there are no further delays, the REAL ID requirement will become effective on May 7, 2025. After that date, individuals in the United States who are 18 years or older will be required to have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, identification card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license (EDL), or an acceptable alternative form of identification such as a passport, in order to board a domestic flight.

Can You Fly With a Picture of Your ID on Your Phone?

To make passing through TSA PreCheck® checkpoints easier, you can add your state-issued driver’s license or identification card to your phone’s digital wallet. Simply tap your phone or linked device to present your ID at select checkpoints. A TSA reader will take your photo at security, allowing you to proceed to screening.

Can You Fly With An Expired Passport Domesticly 2023?

If your passport is expired, you can still use it as a form of identification for domestic travel within the United States. However, you will need to convince TSA officers that you are the same person as the one named in the passport. On the other hand, if you are traveling internationally, you must have a valid passport in order to be allowed to travel.

What is the REAL ID vs Drivers License?

A REAL ID is a driver’s license or identification card issued by the state that meets federal standards. The main distinction between a REAL ID and a regular driver’s license is that a REAL ID is a more secure form of identification. A REAL ID has a star-shaped security stamp at the top of the license, indicating that it is a REAL ID.

Summary

It is important as a traveler to stay updated with new passport laws in order to make sure that your passport remains legal and safe for future trips. Although these laws are still in progress and subject to change, understanding what the new regulations mean now will help you be prepared for when they are fully implemented in 2024.

What is the difference between a passport vs passport card?  This question is one of our most asked questions. This blog post will discuss the difference between the two documents. So you’re looking to travel internationally, but there are these options between a passport and vs passport card.

A passport book is a product of the federal government. The passport book is either 28 or 52 pages and valid for five years. For children aged 15 and under, the passport is valid for five years, and for adults 16 and older, it is valid for ten years. A US passport allows you to travel anywhere by plane, car, or boat.

The passport book can be obtained as a new passport, or if you currently have a passport book, you will be eligible for renewal to ensure your passport book has six months of validity.

What is the Difference Between a Passport Book and a Passport Card?

The passport card is a smaller version of the US passport book and can only be used for travel between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It is valid for ten years or 5 years, depending on your age. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. You will need a passport book if you plan to fly overseas.

Related Read: Do You Need a Passport to Go to Mexico?

What are the benefits of the Passport Book vs Passport Card?

The passport card is a wallet-size identification card with your picture, information, and barcode.  The passport card can be used for identification purposes.  It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea. These countries include Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

You cannot use the passport card to fly internationally. For example, you cannot travel to London, England, with just your passport card. You must have a passport book.

In conclusion, knowing the passport book versus the passport card is essential. The passport card is a convenient tool in your vital document wallet. It’s much cheaper than the passport book. However, having only the passport card doesn’t always make sense, especially if you plan to travel by plane overseas.

Passport  Tips: Carry both the passport card and the passport book in case of an emergency, and you must fly home. The passport card is not valid for air travel.

How to Get a Passport Card When Renewing  Your Passport?

If you already only have the passport book, you can also get the passport card when you apply for your next passport renewal.  On the top of the DS-82 application for Passport Renewal, you can select both. The fee is an additional $30 for adults and $15 for children.

You can also apply for the passport book and the passport card at the same time when you’re utilizing the DS-11 new passport application for New Passport.

Select both, and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and card. It’s worth having both. If you lose your passport book, you still have your passport card and vice versa.

So is it really a competition between a passport book and a passport card?  The answer is no. You should have them both and protect them in your safety deposit box or a secure area in your home, and when you’re ready to travel internationally or domestically, don’t leave home without them.

Related Read: Do You Need a Passport to Go to Jamaica?

Conclusion

The passport book and the passport card are both essential documents to have when traveling internationally or domestically. Having both provides an extra layer of security in case one is lost or stolen. Keeping both documents safe and secure is essential, either in a safety deposit box or a secure area in your home.

Don’t forget to bring them with you when you travel; they are both essential to a smooth, successful journey.

Happy travels!