Travel and leisure

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 U S passport information you may need to know.

One new advance is the passport card. It fits in your wallet and is not as expensive as a passport book, which is the traditional passport form. It is only valid for travel to and from Canada, Mexico, and most of the Caribbean nations. It is also not valid for international travel by air, and is useful only for sea or land entry across borders. It may also not be adequate for every nation, as some may ask for additional documents. It is best to check your specific destination before choosing this for your upcoming trip.

A traditional passport is still required for most international destinations and for all international flights. It may be possible to renew your passport via mail, if you meet the requirements. If you have never had a passport, or it has been longer than 15 years since it was issued, you must apply in person. There are several regional passport agencies, but most post offices and some country clerks also process passport applications.

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 new passport information, 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.

A parent behind on payments for child support may find his or her application for a passport denied. A child may not be allowed to exit the country during a custody dispute. In addition, unless the mother or father has proof of a court decree granting sole custody, both parents must sign a child’s passport application. Every child, even an infant, must have his or her own passport. Getting a passport for a child is not much different in terms of the documentation required. But the parent must also establish proof of the child’s 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.

In the last few years, much USA passport information has become outdated. It always pays to be sure you have the most current facts. You should review the travel restrictions for your destination, since they can change quickly. Plan to receive your passport in plenty of time for your departure date. And if you are mailing in a renewal request, be sure that you have included all the documentation requested. All of this will help make your passport application process, and your whole trip, a much more pleasant experience.