What to Do If You Have a Passport Emergency During the Government Shutdown
If you have travel plans that are going to require a passport, the current US government shutdown might have you in a scramble. There is good news though: The US State Department will continue to process passports during the shutdown. If you need immediate assistance with a passport issue, your best option is to call the US State Department's National Passport Center by calling 1-877-487-2778.
You will, of course, be required to fill out paperwork for your shiny new passport. Said paperwork depends on if you are applying for the first time or renewing. The State Department makes the process simple by having travelers answer a few questions on its website. Once completed, you'll want to hold off on signing any required forms until you are at the acceptance facility, where an official can witness you signing the document. Unless you meet the requirements to renew your passport by mail, you will need to apply in person at an acceptance facility.
With that being said, let's dive into a couple of scenarios that you could face when attempting to get a passport issued or renewed, regardless if the federal government is open for business or not.
You Need a Passport Immediately Due to a Life-or-Death Emergency
The US State Department has special requirements in these situations. The department classifies life-or-death emergencies as serious illness, injury or deaths in your immediate family that require you to travel within the next 72 hours. In these situations, you should call the State Department to make an appointment. You will be required to provide all the usual documentation for a passport as well as proof of the emergency, such as a death certificate, statement from a mortuary, or a signed letter from a healthcare professional or hospital. You can find additional information for these situations, including contact information for the State Department, on this page of its website.
Your Travel Is 2-3 Weeks Away
If you scheduled a last-minute trip, or just realized your passport is about to expire, don't worry: you can still get it processed in time. In this case, you will need to visit a passport agency or center and bring proof of your impending travel arraignments. Again, you will need to fill out the standard passport paperwork, but in this case you will need to pay for expedited processing.
Your Travel Is 4-6 Weeks Away
If your trip falls in this timeframe, you can follow the normal application process but will still want to choose the expedited processing option and pay the additional fee to ensure your passport arrives before your scheduled departure date. You can get expedited processing by visiting an acceptance facility or by mail if you are doing a renewal.
Your Travel Is More Than Six Weeks Away
In this case, you have plenty of time to get your passport ready. You can use the standard application process and the State Department's "routine" service, which should see your new passport hit your mailbox within six weeks.
Your Passport Is Expiring While out of the Country
This can be a bit tricky. The first thing you need to find out are the acceptance rules for the country or countries you will be visiting on your trip. Ireland, for example, has no minimum passport validity requirement for entry, whereas Germany requires that your passport be valid for at least six months past your travel dates in order to enter the country. If you find that your passport doesn't meet the entry requirements of the country that you are traveling to, you will need to follow the guidelines above to get it renewed before you will be allowed to travel.
If you met the requirements for entry but extended your trip past your passport expiration or find yourself living abroad for extended periods, you can still get your passport renewed to ensure you can reenter the US or travel to another country while on your trip. The best way to handle this while on the road is to visit the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. Either of these will be able to process your passport renewal.
For the Transgender Community
For members of the Trans community, getting identity documents changed to reflect a new status can be a difficult process. The State Department has requirements based on the status of your transition when it comes to issuing passports. If you are in the process of transitioning, the State Department will issue a passport that is valid for only two years. If you are post-treatment, you can get a standard 10-year passport issued.
In addition to the normal forms, you will also be required to provide a photo ID with your current appearance, medical certification that indicates you are in treatment or completed treatment to transition, and proof of a legal name change if you have changed your name.
You must follow the process for obtaining a new passport in these situations unless you are looking to replace the limited two-year passport once you have completed treatment. In order to replace a limited passport, you will need to apply for the full-term passport within two years of receiving the limited term one. The State Department will issue a new full-term passport at no charge. This does require yet a different form (DS-5504) and you will need to resubmit your medical certification and a current photo, as well as surrender your limited passport.
With passports issued for such long periods of time and no expiration reminder, it can be easy to let your passport lapse or run into situations where you need a renewal in a hurry. Hopefully being armed with the right knowledge about obtaining or renewing your passport will make this process a breeze. If not, remember you can always reach out to the State Department directly. If you are outside of the United States, visiting the nearest Embassy or Consulate will always be your best bet to get passport issues resolved.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.