Learn about these things and more:
- The U.S. population increased by nearly 10% since the 2000 census.
- In 2009, 16.7 percent of people in the United States were not covered by health insurance.
- Of the 77.3 million people ages 3 and up enrolled in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools in 2009, 86.5% were enrolled in public schools in 2009.
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Beginning April 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of State will require the full names of the applicant’s parent(s) to be listed on all certified birth certificates to be considered as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship for all passport applicants, regardless of age. Certified birth certificates missing this information will not be acceptable as evidence of citizenship. This will not affect applications already in-process that have been submitted or accepted before the effective date.
For more information, see 22 CFR 51.42(a).
To obtain a new birth certificate, see the CDC.
In addition to this requirement, certified copies of birth certificates must also include the following information to be considered acceptable primary evidence of U.S. citizenship:
- Full name of the applicant
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal of issuing authority
- Registrar’s signature
- The date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office (must be within one year)
If you cannot obtain a birth certificate that meets these requirements, please see Secondary Evidence of U.S. Citizenship.
New rules from the Department of Transportation give airline passengers more rights. The new rules require that:
- If you’re involuntarily bumped from a flight, you can receive twice as much compensation as before.
- Airlines must refund your baggage fees if they lose your luggage.
- Tarmac delays at small airports must be limited to three hours, and delays of international flights at U.S. airports must be limited to four hours.
- Airlines must post all optional fees, including baggage, meal, and change fees, on their websites.
Learn more about the new airline passenger protection rules.
Enrollment allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. 