Cat and Shanmao's blog

Well, I finally got my passport a few weeks ago! But was too lazy to write about it here. The backlog for passport renewals has gone down but it's still not that quick.

Lessons learned:

Research extensively ahead of time using Google to find out mistakes others made. Especially look for mistakes made that didn't literally violate the instructions on the passport application forms.
Go to the passport website. Some tips for photos are listed there that aren't on the passport application forms.
Use vouched for, local, high quality photographers (Keebel & Schuchat in Palo Alto)
Use the exact dimension specified on the form - a 'maximum' size specification may turn out to be both an implied minimum and a maximum as I found out.
Have a friend (thanks Mrs. Goodin) take your photo to the passport office to get on the spot approval or rejection rather than mailing it in and waiting weeks or months for a potential rejection
Plan your schedule carefully since your passport is only good for 4 years, renewal takes a while especially if you're out of country, and some countries require you to have 6 months left on your passport before they will let you enter. All this means your passport is really only good for a little over 4 years.

// posted by shanmao @ 3:55 PM

Cat and Shanmao's blog

Friday, December 14, 2007

Renewing my passport, part 4

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