Apply for or renew your passports on time

Tirso has just recently been naturalized as a US citizen. He was attempting to apply for a US passport, but he was so preoccupied with his work and family obligations that he never got around to working on it. Months passed by and he even forgot about it when suddenly there was a need for him to fly back to the Philippines. His brother called him to inform him that their mother had a stroke and was rushed to the emergency room. He feared that as her condition was getting dire every day, she was slowly slipping away. Tirso was advised by his brother to come home with the hopes that he could still see their mother while she was still alive.

As he was looking to buy airline tickets, he realized his failure to apply for a US passport. Obviously, he cannot use his Philippine passport anymore as it was already void upon the moment he took his oath of allegiance to the US or another country for that matter, He automatically lost Philippine citizenship. Tirso was left with no choice but to apply for a US passport.

In emergent situations such as this, there is an option that one can take in order to secure a US passport. In life-or-death situations when you need to travel to a foreign country, you need to prove that a situation has arisen that your immediate family member has died, is dying or has a life-threatening illness or injury.

Who qualifies as an immediate family member? A parent or legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, or grandparent are considered immediate family members. Thus those relatives not listed here such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or other relatives are not considered as immediate family members.

It is advised that you should schedule your appointment for an emergency passport application two weeks before your international travel. So make sure you have your documents ready such as a death certificate, statement from the funeral home, official letter from the doctor/hospital which details and explains the immediate relative's medical condition. If the document is not in English, have it translated by a professional translator. You must also show your airline ticket of your proposed travel. Of course, you have to complete a passport application and make the necessary appointments either by doing it online or by calling the US Department of State. You might also want to check online where is your nearest passport center.

Do not make the same mistake that Tirso made. You should apply for a US passport as soon as you can. Frequently check the expiry date of your passport to make sure you can renew timely. I have seen several instances when people missed weddings, funerals, reunions and other important events back home because they were not able to apply or renew their passports on time.