Not that many years ago, it was possible for U.S. Citizens to travel to and from many countries with nothing more than a drivers license and perhaps a birth certificate. Those days are gone, apparently forever. While a passport is not required for trips to U.S. Territories, such as Puerto Rico, they are necessary for virtually every other trip abroad. What follows is a summary of passport information you may need to know.

One new offering is a passport card. These will fit in your wallet, and cost less than a full passport, or passport book. They are valid only for travel to select nations within the western hemisphere, if said travel is by land or sea and not air. They are useful for cruises to the Caribbean or cross border trips to Canada and Mexico. However, it is best to review the entry laws for the specific nation to which you plan to travel, since some will require further documentation.

In most cases, international travelers need a traditional passport book. This has long been the standard requirement for travel across borders. If you already have a passport and meet all of the requirements, you might be able to get a renewal passport through the mail. It will, however, be necessary to apply in person if this is your first passport or if your old one was issued more than 15 years previously. Personal applications can be made at most post offices and many county offices. These locations are usually more convenient than the regional agencies that the government operates.

Regardless of whether this is a new passport or a renewal, you will need to provide proof of your identity and citizenship. You will have to provide two identical color photographs of sufficient quality. Background and size restrictions also apply. The pictures taken in booths such as you find at the mall are inadequate. Many post offices are equipped to take the photos, and many businesses or stores can also provide them for you.

During the busiest times of year, it can take as long as 3 months to receive your passport. Advance planning will make sure that you have it in hand well before your departure date. Even during the slow periods, you should allow up to 6 weeks. For an additional fee, you can expedite your passport application, which will trim approximately 50 percent of the time from your wait.

Once you are on your trip, be sure and protect your passport. Should it be stolen or lost while in a foreign country, contact the American consul or embassy at once. They can provide a temporary passport or documentation to leave the nation and return to the U.S. This can be a time consuming and frustrating process, so it is naturally best to avoid it.

Anyone who is behind with payments for child support can have a passport application rejected. Children involved in custody disputes may not be permitted to leave the country. In most cases, each parent must approve the application for the child’s passport. This can sometimes be waived if a parent can provide a court decree granting full custody of the child. Everyone must have his or her own passport, from infancy on. The proofs required for a child are the same as for an adult when it comes to establishing citizenship. In addition, the adult must offer proof of his or her relationship.

If an emergency arises that requires you to travel immediately, you can apply in person at a regional passport agency. You will need to furnish the usual documentation for a passport, but you will also have to document the emergency. In the event of the death of a relative, for example, you might have to produce a death certificate. You may also have to prove your relationship to the deceased.

With the many changes in U.S. passport information that are continuously occurring, it is always best to verify the most current information, particularly the requirements of your destination. Be sure to make your U.S. passport application in time to meet your departure schedule. And if you are mailing in an application for a renewal, double check that you have included everything requested. These simple steps should make it much less stressful to obtain your passport.

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