Eager to head off to foreign lands but stumped about passports? Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about these crucial travel documents.
Who is required to have a passport?
Every U.S. citizen, including newborn infants, is required to carry a valid passport for travel abroad. Children under the age of 13 can be included on one of their parents' passports.
How do I obtain a passport?
You must apply in person to any of the 13 U.S. Passport Agencies located around the country or the 2,500 federal and state courts and 900 Post Offices that accept passport applications. The 13 Passport Agencies are located in Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Stamford (Connecticut), and Washington, D.C. For addresses and phone numbers look under "U.S. Government Offices" listings in the telephone directory for any of these cities. If you do not live in one of these cities, look under Post Office listings in the Government Offices section of your telephone directory; there is usually a listing for Passport information. You may also call the Federal Information Center at 800-688-9889. Or obtain general passport information and download application forms from the government's passport services site.
What does a passport cost?
The fee for a passport that is valid for ten years is $65; it is also possible to obtain a passport that is valid for five years for $40.
What materials or documents do I need to obtain a passport?
Two identical passport size photos (2 inches by inches); they must be a frontal view against a white or off-white background and have been taken within the past six months.
Proof of U.S. citizenship as evidenced by any one of the following: a certified copy of your birth certificate; a consular report of birth; a certificate of naturalization or of citizenship; or an expired passport.
One form of identification that includes your photograph or physical description and your signature. Acceptable forms of such identification include a valid driver's license, a valid work or student identification card, a military identification card, a certificate of naturalization or citizenship, and a U.S. passport.
When should I apply for a passport?
Processing usually takes about a month, but it's best to apply for a passport several months before departure.
Is it possible to get a passport sooner?
Yes. In emergencies a Passport Agency can issue a passport within 24 hours. You will be charged an additional $30 fee for this expedited service, and you will be asked to show your airline tickets or other travel documents as proof of immediate departure.
For this special service, it is best to apply in person at one of the Passport Agencies, though you can also apply at a court or a Post Office and arrange to have the forms sent to a Passport Agency via overnight mail. It will take at least several days to obtain a passport in this manner and you will be responsible for the mailing costs.
May I apply for a passport by mail?
Yes, but there are several stipulations. You must already hold a passport, current or expired, that was issued within the past 12 years. In addition, you must have been 18 years of age or older at the time that passport was issued, and your name must be the same as it is on that passport. If your name has changed, you must be able to show proof that the change is legal, such as a marriage license.
How do I apply for a passport by mail?
Obtain an "Application for Passport by Mail" form from Passport Agencies, Post Offices, or offices of federal and state courts. Once you have completed this form you must send it to the National Passport Center, P.O. Box 371971, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7971. You must also enclose your most recent passport (current or expired), two passport photos, and a check for $65, payable to Passport Services. Your passport will be mailed to you, usually within a month after you submit the application.
Is a passport required for all foreign travel?
For the most part, yes. Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean islands and Latin American countries allow American citizens to enter upon presentation of a valid driver's license, birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, expired passport or other forms of proof of U.S. citizenship. You will be asked to show this identification upon arrival and, upon payment of a fee (most of them are around U.S. $10), you will be issued a Tourist Card. If you are traveling to one of these places and are not sure of the entry requirements be sure to check with the country's embassy, consulate or tourist office well before departure.
Is my passport valid for travel to all foreign countries?
Although most nations recognize U.S. passports, at any one time and for various reasons (usually political), you may encounter a problem. Currently, Iraq and Libya are not admitting travellers from the United States. The State Department issues regular updates on such conditions in its notices available in both recorded and printed form, "Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements." You can obtain these announcements in many ways: by phone at 202-647-5225; on Web at http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html or in printed form at Passport Agencies and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Some airlines also maintain some of this information. It is important to remember that some foreign countries, including some in the Middle East, require that your passport be valid for six months beyond your date of entry, so it may be necessary to renew your passport before departure even though you will be returning to the United States before it expires. Also, U.S. citizens can enter Cuba only from a third country, not directly from the United States.
What do I do if I lose my passport while traveling?
Contact the nearest American embassy or consulate; consulates are located in most major foreign cities. Officials there can contact the central Passport Agency in the United States and issue a new passport. In emergency situations, the Agency will make arrangements for you to leave the country you are in and enter the United States or another country without a passport.
In addition to a passport, what other identification might be necessary for foreign travel?
Many nations require that, in addition to a passport, U.S. citizens have a visa for entry. These include most countries in Africa, including Egypt but not South Africa; most Middle Eastern countries, including Turkey; some countries in Eastern Europe, including Russia but not such popular tourist destinations as Hungary and the Czech Republic; India; and Australia. Visas are issued for a fee for varying lengths of time depending on the type of visa required. Tourist visas, for instance, are often valid for a month, while student visas may be valid for one year. Some countries handle all visa requirements for incoming travelers at points of entry, such as airports.
How do I learn more about visa requirements?
Check with the embassy, consulate or tourist office of the country or countries you are planning to visit. Travelers are always responsible for having the proper documentation for crossing borders, and shouldn't rely on courtesy information that can and should be provided by airlines and cruise lines, but often isn't.
