Passport Photos

We now offer Free Passport photos for clients that book international trips through one of our agencies.  Simply stop in during normal business hours at the Bloomington, Champaign or Peoria office and inquire.  No appointment is necessary.

Passport Information

Below is helpful information and links to other resources.

New Requirements for Travelers

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

  1. December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

  2. December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.


This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

Lost or stolen passports

If you're in the U.S. when your passport is lost or stolen, immediately telephone the Department of State, Passport Services at 202-647-0518 or the nearest Passport Agency. An agency employee will register the passport loss and make arrangements to issue a new one, usually within two weeks. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it to the local police and the nearest American embassy or consulate. A new passport can usually be issued within 24 hours. You can speed the process if you have with you a photocopy of the identification page of the original and three passport-size photos.

Foreign Entry Visas Requirements for US Citizens

A visa is a special notation or stamp added to your passport that permits you to enter and leave a country. More than half of the world's roughly 190 countries require a visa.  Check with the consulates of countries you plan to visit to find out if a visa is required.

Precautions

The State Department suggests that you take two or three wallet-size photos along on a trip overseas, in case you need to replace your passport or decide to visit an additional country that requires a visa.

Political situations may affect your travel plans as well as procedures for second passports and validations. Check with the Passport Agency for current regulations.