How to Get Your U.S. Passport in Time for Your Travel Plans

Getting a United States passport is necessary for all United States citizens who are traveling outside the US. You will need a passport to enter or leave most foreign countries. Recent changes to the law now also require that you have a passport to enter or leave Canada and Mexico, where before a valid driver's licesne was sufficient. Your passport is internationally recognized as proof both of your dientity and of your nationality as a U.S. citizen. To obtain a passport, you must apply through the U.S. Department of State.

If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you are required to apply in person. There are 8,000 passport acceptance facilities in the U.S., including many U.S. Post Offices; you can find a location by visiting the U.S. State Department locator web site. You will need to bring two photographs of yourself, proof of your U.S. citizenship, and another valid form of photo ID, such as a driver's license.

For proof of citizenship, you can use a certified birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (if you were born of U.S. citizens but born in a foreign land), a Naturalization Certificate, or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you do not have any of the above documents, there are other accpetabel documents which you can find listed on the State Department website. If you are applying for a minor, the proof of citizenship must list both the mother and father's name.

The two photos you bring must meet certain requirements as well. The photos must be two inches square, they must be identical and taken within the last 6 months. They must also be color photographs, taken of your full face, front view, with between one inch and 1-3/8 inches from your chin to the top of our head. You must be wearing normal street attire. You can check the phone directory to find photo stores where you can have passport photos taken that will meet State Department requirements.

The non-refundable passport application fee for an adult age 16 years or older is $67, plus a $30 execution free, for a total of $97. For applicants under age 16, the application fee is $52, plus the $30 execution fee, for a total of $82. These fees can be paid at the application center with a credit card or personal check, or you can include a personal check if you mail in your application. Cash is not accepted.

A passport will take about eight weeks to arrive. "Expedited" Service is available to get your passport faster, and costs an additional $60 per application, plus the overnight delivery service fees. The State Department strongly recommends you use Expedited Service if you are travelling within the next 8 weeks, and also recommends that you use an overnight delivery service each way, both in sending your passport application, and in the return trip from the Department of State. An Expedited passport will take about 2 weeks.

If you are planning to travel this year, remember that for the first time, passports wil be required for travel to Canada and Mexico. As of January 23, 2007, passports are now required to enter and leave the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico if you are traveling by air, and effective January 1, 2008, passports will be required if you are traveling by land or sea (car, ferry, etc.). You do not need a passport if you are traveling to or from a U.S. owned territory, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam.

If you need a replacement passport, you will need to apply in person if your passport was lost or damaged, or if you have had a name change, or if your passport has expired and was initially issued more than 15 years ago or when you were under 16 years of age. You will have to provide the same information as if you are applying for the first time.

All the forms you need for new or replcement passports, along with links to application agencies and other details can be found on the U.S. Department of State's website. Follow these guidelines and be sure to apply as early as possible before your trip to ensure you get your new or reissued passport in time for hassle-free travel. Bon voyage!