You Want To Get A Passport -- Now, HOW?

If you don't have one yet, let's deal with that now.

All countries issue these all important documents to their own citizens. You'll need to contact your government state department or equivalent.

Citizens of all countries can check online or with local government offices.

• Who needs one
  
• How much it costs to get one
  
• How to apply for your first time
  
• Where to apply for that first one
  
• How to renew your old one
  
• What the rules are for children
  
• How to get a passport in a hurry.
  

If you are applying for your first passport, you will also need proof of citizenship such as a certified birth certificate. Again, check the State Department website for details on what documentation you need.

You'll also need two 2" x 2" photos for your passport application. You can get these from the corner drugstore or a professional photographers. You can even take your own if you do it properly.

Let Us Give You A Tip -- Get extra copies of your photos.... 6-12 so if you need some you will have them on hand. Carry them with you when you travel. They can be handy for visa applications at the border or in case you lose your passport, though we hope you've got your passport tucked safely in your money belt and you will never need to use them for this! Just remember that they should be "current" photos, so you can't save and use them forever.

U.S. Passports for adults are good for 10 years. For children age 15 or younger, they are only good for 5 years. The U.S. is now issuing only Electronic-passports or E-passports. It looks the same as a traditional passport, but there is a small chip (an integrated circuit) embedded in the back cover which contains your passport information and state of the art identifiers. From now on when you apply for a new passport or passport renewal you will receive and E-passport.

It may sound like a lot of information, but that's the government for you. Let's simplify it... to get a passport, get the application, fill it out, take it or mail it to the proper government office and in a few weeks, you'll have it. If you want to become a traveler.... just get a passport..... you're going to need one sooner or later.

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it!   Judy and Mark

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