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A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority
to grant, issue or verify U.S. passports.
The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens
about how to obtain, replace or change a passport. To obtain a passport for the first
time, you need to go in person to one of 7,000 passport acceptance facilities located
throughout the United States with:
- Two photographs of you taken within the last six months
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- A valid form of photo identification (such as a driver's license)
Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices,
some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also
13 regional passport agencies, and one Gateway City Agency, which serve customers
who are traveling within two weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel.
Appointments are required in such cases.
For more information on how to get or renew your passport, visit
travel.state.gov/passport or call the National
Passport Information Center.
| Requirements For Passports
All travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico, and Canada are required to have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. Under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, this requirement includes all land border crossings, air and sea travel.
Overseas Travel: Overcharged for Conversion Fees?
Many credit card issuers and banks tack on an extra currency conversion charge - up to 3 percent more - on purchases made with your credit card when traveling abroad. That means a $200 jacket you charged in Italy could show up on your credit bill as $206. Be sure to ask your credit card company about these fees or shop around for the best deal before you leave the country
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