Vacations Blog

The passport is an essential item to take on any trip outside the United States. This precious document can mean the difference between getting out of the U.S. and seeing foreign lands or being stuck at home. However, getting a passbook is not the only thing that individuals need to do in order to travel internationally. They also need have enough US passport pages in the book at all times.

The passbook may be replenished with pages when there are four or less blank sheets remaining. If this happens before the passbook is scheduled to be renewed, the additional sheets will be added to the existing document. This should be done before traveling to more destinations in order to prevent the authorities from running out of areas to stamp.

There is not a lot involved in getting additional sheets for the passbook. Individuals only need to complete the government DS-4085 form.. This form may be found online at the State Department Web site and either completed electronically or by hand. Either way, the completed form must be submitted via mail because the government will not allow for electronic submission. Handwritten forms should contain legible information, so applicants should print clearly when completing the document.

Those who do not have access to the Internet can obtain form DS-4085 from a Passport Agency or Acceptance Facility. In order to have the update made to the passbook, the completed DS-4085 form must be submitted with the current valid passport application forms. The addition of passport pages is free to users who opt for standard processing. The Department of State advises that applicants mail the documents using a mail service that provides confirmation of delivery.

The standard government processing time for these requests is up to six weeks. This may not be fast enough for many travelers so the government provides an expedited service that costs $60.00. Expediting the paperwork will result in the new passbook being received within three weeks.. When this service is elected, it is recommended that the package be sent via overnight mailing methods and marked for expedited processing.

If three weeks is still too long, a passbook holder may opt for a rush processing service offered through a private company. Rush handling will provide the holder with the passbook containing additional sheets within as little as 24 hours. The passbook holder will need to pay the private company several hundred dollars for overnight processing, plus the $60.00 expediting fee charged by the government. In addition, shipping charges for overnight mail delivery will be incurred.

There will be several additional forms required when using a private company for processing. In addition to the DS-4085 government form, the passbook holder must complete a document that authorizes the company to act on behalf of the individual. Applicants who request processing within seven business days or less must submit a copy of the flight itinerary, airline ticket, or employer authorization letter. Any of these will serve as proof that the passbook holder has immediate travel plans.

The process of getting extra US passport pages is not complicated, but it does require some time. It is best that a passbook holder complete and submit the DS-4085 form and passbook to the government as soon as the need for additional sheets is discovered. Expedited government processing or use of the rush service provided by a private company are alternatives that will shorten the processing time.