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.
A recent development is the passport card. This wallet-sized card is less expensive than a passport book, or traditional passport. However, it can only be used for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, and certain nations in the Caribbean. It cannot be used for international air travel. In addition, some countries may require additional documentation. Therefore, you need to check the specific requirements of your destination before deciding whether this will suffice for your trip.
Most international travelers will need a passport book. This is the standard documentation for travel between countries. Under certain circumstances, you may be able to renew a passport by mail. However, all new passports must be requested in person at the regional agencies operated by the government or supplemental stations, such as post offices.
Whether applying by mail or in person, you will have to prove that you are a U.S. Citizen and that you are, indeed, who you claim to be. Two good quality color photographs are required, and they must meet certain size and background specifications. The coin-operated booths do not produce the type the passport requires, so you will need to have them taken elsewhere. Some post offices have the ability to take them, as do many of the business service centers that provide shipping and printing services.
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.
If your passport is lost or stolen while you are abroad, you should immediately notify the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate. They can assist you in obtaining a duplicate passport or the necessary documents to allow you to exit the foreign country and be allowed back into the States. This is not necessarily an easy task, however, so travelers should guard their passports carefully.
Parents who are behind on child support payments may be denied a passport. Also, a parent may not be allowed to take a child out of the country if there is a custody dispute pending. Both parents must also sign the passport application for a child, unless one parent has a court order establishing sole custody. All children, even infants, must have their own passports. The types of documentation are similar, and include proof of citizenship. The parent or guardian must also provide proof of relationship to the child.
In the event of a true emergency requiring immediate travel, application must be made in person at one of the regional agencies. In addition to the information normally needed for a passport, be prepared to document the emergency. This may be a death certificate or other official notification that states the circumstances of the situation. You may have to prove kinship to the person identified in the notice.
The passport information has changed drastically in the past decade. If you are planning to travel abroad, things will go much more smoothly if you do a bit of research. Examine the precise requirements of the country to which you will be traveling. Make your passport application well in advance of your scheduled departure. If applying by mail, be sure you include everything required. This should all make it faster and less frustrating to receive your passport.
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