U.S. Passports
What is a 'passport'?
A passport is an internationally recognized document with a photo ID and it's required for entry into many countries as well as for entry back into the U.S. when you're travelling internationally. Your passport typically gets stamped when you're entering another country, when you're going through their customs process. And what they do is they look at your passport to make sure it's valid and make sure that you are who you say you are, and are allowed entry into their country. It also gets stamped when you leave the country and when you return back to the U.S.
When do I need a passport?
You need a passport any time you're traveling outside the U.S. and that includes Canada and Mexico. But something to take into consideration is that for some countries, your passport needs to be valid for six months beyond your intended period of stay. So what you need to do is check with the country that you're traveling to and find out what their entry requirements are and make sure that you have a valid passport for travel to that country.
How do I get a US passport?
You can get a passport at a US embassy or a US consulate. And you can get them at some post offices, but check with your post office to make sure that they're equipped to handle passport applications. With your passport application you'll need to bring a state issue ID, your birth certificate or social security card. And you'll also need to bring two passport photos and a fee. There is a fee for applying for a passport.
How long does it take to get a passport after I've applied for one?
Getting your passport can take some time, so you want to plan well in advance. In fact, it can take up to twelve weeks just to get your passport.
How long does a passport last?
Your passport is valid for up to ten years. However, when you have about one year left on your passport, you want to start thinking about renewing your passport because it does take some time to renew it. Also, many countries have a requirement that your passport be valid for up to six months when entering the country.
What happens if I lose my passport or it expires while I'm traveling abroad?
If you lose your passport while travelling, what you need to do is go to the US embassy or consular office, because you will not be able to leave the country or enter the US without a valid passport. Also, if your passport expires while you're travelling, you will have to do the same because you need a valid passport to leave any country and to re-enter the US. If you are travelling to a country without a US embassy, most likely there will be a US consular. However, if there isn't one you need to call the State Department in Washington, DC, to figure out how you can renew your passport.
