US Passports: Your Questions Answered

Ranked #18,090 in Travel & Places, #418,940 overall

Your passport is your gateway to the world. However, a lot of mystery surrounds the passport. Clearing up some of these questions can help you understand just what you need to know about what a passport is, why you need one, how to obtain a US passport, and some other facts that might be useful in your travels.

The Five W's

Who Has To Have A Passport?

This is an easy one; everyone needs a passport not matter their age. International travel requires that every member of your family, from the youngest to the oldest, must have their own, personal passport. A passport for a child under the age of sixteen is valid for five years and, over sixteen, the valid period extends to ten years. A name change is required if you are recently married or divorced and changing your name. If you passport is damaged, a replacement is required and if all the pages in your passport have been used with validations, additional pages must be inserted by a passport agency.

What Is A Passport?

As stated above, a passport is a legal document hat is required for all international travel but it is also the very best form of identification available. No other document is better to prove your identity and citizenship which is why it is accepted by governmental authorities all around the world. This is partially due to the documents that must be provided before a passport can be issued. With the presentation of this document your picture is seen as well as a written description. Keep in mind, a passport is different from a visa. A visa provides legal entry into a foreign country for a specific period and purpose. For boarder country travel, a passport card can be used but only if travel is by land or water. All air travel requires a passport to be presented.

Where?

Passports are used all over the globe. Most countries issue, and require, passports for international travel.

When?

Normally, it takes up to three months to acquire a passport so it is vital to plan your trip timetable accordingly to allow enough time for you to get your passport. If, however, you find you need a passport quickly, passport expediting services are available to allow you to complete the process in a shorter period of time. Both free standing and online passport agencies and companies can be easily located but no service is more efficient and timely than an online U S passport expediting service. Although at an additional cost, it is possible to get your passport the same day you apply so go online and locate a company providing this service.

Why Do You Need A Passport?

A passport is used to verify your identity and citizenship when traveling or in any other situation where this information is required. When you travel internationally, you need a passport to re-enter the United States. The importance of a passport can not be underestimated as it is the only universally accepted form of identification used around the world. If you lose your passport or think it may have been stolen, you must report it immediately.

How?

A passport can be obtained online, through the mail, or in person. All you need to do to get a online pass port is visit an online passport processing service, go to the post office, or visit your local passport agent to apply. Online services make learning how to obtain a passport for everyone in your family fast, easy, and convenient.

Passport Tips

Loading

Great Stuff on Amazon

Loading

New Guestbook

submit

by

2chic2beat

Hello world. This is my bio. I can edit it later!

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!