Went to the Post Office Today

Not to send off any pretty paper products, but rather to get something I have been putting off for SO LONG!!

My Passport!!!!

Image Via Soda Head

Yesterday my boss called and asked if I had a valid passport... we have a new project in Canada and guess what?

I can't go!

I should have gotten one a long time ago - and it hasn't ever prevented me from doing my job until now...

This incident coupled with our international honeymoon {YAY!!!} has forced me to kick myself in the butt and check this off my to-do list already!!

Some tips for those of you who still need to get your (first) passport:

• 
  
  Fill out the application online {here} and print it out


• 
  
  Find an Agency or Acceptance Facility


• 
  
  Get your picture taken according to {these} guidelines OR expect to pay a fee to have it done at an your acceptance facility (note: they don't all offer this service)


• 
  
  Make a copy of your Drivers License, front & back


• 
  
  Obtain an original copy of your Birth Certificate - they send the original with your application so make sure you can part with it until they return it.

Currently the expected wait time is 4 to 6 weeks.... I paid a $60 expediting fee and an additional $15 for overnight mail service so I could get my passport ASAP... I was told to expect 2 to 3 weeks and given some tracking information so I can see how far my application has made it through 'the system'

I also had to modify my application when I was turning it in because my mom had her Maiden Name on my birth certificate and that apparently is what I should have put on my application even though my mom DID change her name before I was born...

No biggie - and the guy taking my appilcation was really nice about everything...

Oh, and they gave me a copy of my passport photo to keep...

Enjoy:

Personal Photo

Have you checked anything off your to-do list lately?