Another reason to get a passport soon before they put the chip in

[Dave Ridley]

This article says RFID passports will be issued to some extent starting in feb 2006.   I call them "terrorist beacons", the new ones that come out next year.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-08-08-electronic-passports_x.htm

[EagleClaw]

"If the chip is broken or malfunctions, the holder can continue to use the passport as a non-electronic passport, or buy a new one."

Whoops! My dog chewed it up!

[Friday]

I'm looking for updated information on this issue.  I find it very curious that, after a flurry of media articles, most of them negative, came out about this in October 2005, almost nothing has been published since.....  I read an article that said that the govt's goal was to have almost all new passports chipped by October 2006, but to begin implementing the program in early 2006.

Has anyone renewed their passport recently??  Does it have a chip in it?  (Is it even possible to tell?)  I have a valid passport, but I'd like to know if there's still time for me to renew it and get one without a chip.

[Thespis]

Does it have a chip in it?  (Is it even possible to tell?)

The passports with the chip will have the following symbol on the front:

[Pat McCotter]

I just received a postcard in the mail the other day from the USPS. Sounds like they want us to get them now. Would they be pushing these if they were going to change them come October?

[Friday]

I got one of those postcards too... 

[aries]

I got one of those postcards too... 

My local post office probably doesn't issue passports. I dont think they do, it's only a tiny room with 150 or so boxes, no room for pictures or anything.

I didn't get the postcard. I don't need to leave the country except to go to Canada, and since RealID passed, I think plans to require passports at the border are dying down.

Even if they do, I know of at least 2 unprotected crossings.

[intergraph19]

How long are passports good for?  Can I get one now and have it be valid for 5 years or so? 

[Kat Kanning]

10 years.

[JonM]

I just gone mine renewed, no chip.  The postmark was from Portsmouth, NH.

[intergraph19]

I just gone mine renewed, no chip.  The postmark was from Portsmouth, NH.

Alright, I guess I need to go pick one up then.  Last thing I need is to not have one if I have to leave the country in a hurry. ^_^  Cause, you know we all have files in the FBI, I mean, let's be honest here.  You know they watch this site.

[JonM]

I know for a fact I have a file, but then, I used to hold a clearance.

[Russell Kanning]

I just gone mine renewed, no chip.  The postmark was from Portsmouth, NH.

Alright, I guess I need to go pick one up then.  Last thing I need is to not have one if I have to leave the country in a hurry. ^_^  Cause, you know we all have files in the FBI, I mean, let's be honest here.  You know they watch this site.

If it gets really bad, maybe they still would not let you leave.

[Atlas]

I just gone mine renewed, no chip.  The postmark was from Portsmouth, NH.

Alright, I guess I need to go pick one up then.  Last thing I need is to not have one if I have to leave the country in a hurry. ^_^  Cause, you know we all have files in the FBI, I mean, let's be honest here.  You know they watch this site.

If it gets really bad, maybe they still would not let you leave.

That is why instead of bothering with passports we need to make sure that we're all significantly armed. Resist, Dissent.

[Dave Ridley]

mine arrived in april with no chip, unless i'm missing something.  it does have a bar code tho.

time to get those passports quick guys.