Applying For Your Passport

When deciding to take that much needed vacation, there are a lot of things to consider besides just the destination and time of year you're going to go. You will definitely need to be prepared for all of the rules and regulations of travel, and in many cases, that means getting a passport.

Travel outside of the United States requires a passport. For most people this is common knowledge, but other people may forget just how important it is to have a passport if you're going outside of the US. There are just a couple of countries that do not require seeing your passport upon arrival in their land.

When traveling to Canada or Mexico by land or sea, you may enter the country without a valid US passport, but you must have copies of both your driver's license and an official copy of your birth certificate. Traveling by air to these countries still requires a passport.

For people who have not yet had a US passport, there is a strict requirement that your passport is applied for in person. Probably the best way to do this is to look up which of your local US Post Offices accepts passport applications. Or, you can ask your post office in person.

You don't have to stick with the post office for your application spot, however. There are, in all, 9,000 spots to apply for a passport. These include places like court clerk offices, county and state offices, town offices and even public libraries. The US travel.gov website can help you find a spot.

When applying, bring your completed application (download a passport application off the Internet) along with two passport photos (2"x2", identical, obtainable at any photo processing store) to your selected site. You will also need proof of citizenship, such as your birth certificate.

Be prepared to also prove who you are. Proving your identity usually entails showing your driver's license or other identification card that has been issued by a state agency. Minors many not have cards like this, so they will need to be present at the application, and you will need to vouch for their id.

Your next step is paying for the passport, which will cost you about $100 in fees. It will cost a little less for minors. You will also need to be prepared to wait for your passport to arrive - a process which can take up to eight weeks. Check the travel.gov website for updated wait times.

If you apply for your passport in advance (well in advance) of the time that you will need it to travel - three months is a good guideline - you can make sure that you will receive your passport in plenty of time for your trip, without having to worry about not making it in time for the big day!

About The Author:

Aazdak Alisimo writes about travel subjects for NomadJournals.com - makers of travel journals that make great promotional gifts.

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