Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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travel abroad 101 seven simple steps to getting a 'passpor BY ANGELA DIAMOND THE GAMECOCK So you’re getting ready to go on the trip of your life to visit another country While you’re planning all the fun things you’ll do, don’t forget that you can’t travel abroad without the necessary documents. One of these is a passport. If it has been more than 15 years since you last ap plied for a passport or if you’ve nev er had one, you’ll need to apply for one in person. Here is some helpful information to guide you through the process. PLAN AHEAD. Passport applica tions can take four to six weeks to process. OBTAIN A PASSPORT APPLICA TION (form DS-11) from a passport agency or acceptance facility. The post office, courthouse and some travel agents in town accept pass port applications. You can also download these forms from the State Department at www.travel.state.gov. It’s important that you don’t sign the application until a passport acceptance agent instructs you to do so and can wit ness you sign it. HAVE YOUR PICTURETAKEN. You’ll need two identical, 2-square-inch headshots of yourself. They must be current, preferably taken in the last six months and show what you cur rently look like. They can be black and white or color, as long as they are taken with a white or off-white background. Photos with grayish or tinted backgrounds won’t be accept The post office, courthouse and some travel agents accept passport applications. ed. Most professional photographers take passport photos. You also can get pictures made at Kinko’s or at the main post office on Assembly Street for about $7 or $8. PROVE YOUR CITIZENSHIP. You can do this by having your original birth certificate, an old passport, naturalization papers or citizenship papers on hand. PAY FOR THE PASSPORT. They are $45, plus $15 for the application fee. Additional copies are $15 extra. Check what form of payment the passport acceptance facility takes. Some only accept checks or money orders. Make checks payable to the U.S. Department of State. I.D. YOURSELF. You will need an identification card of some sort, such as a driver’s license or military I.D. card to prove you are who you say you are. GET YOUR DIGITS. Once you have all of these documents, take them and your social security number to where you got your passport appli cation, and the folks there will take care of the rest. Now you can get back to planning the fun parts of your trip abroad. For more information on obtain ing travel documents, visit www.travel.state.gov or contact the National Passport Information Center at (888) 362-8668. Super 8 Backgate _ "3-f-cjcfeiyf" 3j=»ec/3)|" U] 15% off rates iSm Free Continental Breakfast uT——r^ 1-800-264-1140 3450 HWY 17 Bypass So. Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 Based on double occupancy, not valid with other discounts, holidays or special events. . Exoires 12/31/02 ■■I LISTENING ROOM (864) 233-6173 304 E. Stone Ave. b(near downtown ureenviile, MJ; I: handlebar@handlebar-online.com California Tattoo "Voted Best in Savannah" Mon-Sat: Noon -10pm ( Sum Noon - 7pm 23 £ Derenne Ave 117 Whitaker St Southside Savannah. GA Downtown Savannah. GA 912-352-8288 912-234-4383 www.califomiatattoocompany.com *NEW SPRING ARRIVALS!* For men, women & kids - Come check out the shorts, polo shirts, khakis, & t-shirts. Pius mens dress shirts & boxers, womens blouses & dresses, etc., etc. 601 HARDEN ST. ♦ 252-8734 ♦ M-SAT. 10-6 SUN 1:30-5