Passport and Visa Information

Passports & Visas:

U.S. Passports:
To apply for a passport for the first time, you must present, in person, a completed application at a State Department Passport Agency (located in most major cities), one of the several thousand Federal or State Courts or a United States Post Office authorized to accept passport applications. Bring proof of U.S. Citizenship (such as a certified copy of your birth certificate), an ID that includes your signature and photo, and two identical 2" x 2" photos. The fee is $55, and an adult passport is valid for 10 years.

Check the expiration date of your passport well in advance of your trip. If your passport was issued within 12 years prior to the date of a new application, you can renew it by mail. Just pick up an application at a U.S. Post Office or at a Passport Agency. The mail-in procedure costs $55 and can take up to four weeks during peak spring and summer travel seasons. If you have questions about where or how to apply for a passport, call your local Passport Agency or the Washington, D.C. Passport Agency at 202-647-0518. More information is available on the World Wide Web at the Department of State's Passport Services Page .

Visas:
A visa is a special notation or stamp added to your passport that permits you to enter and leave a country. More than half of the world's roughly 190 countries require a visa. Check with the consulates of countries you plan to visit to find out if a visa is required. Current information on foreign visa requirements is also available from the Department of State, Citizens Emergency Center (202-647-5225).

Precautions:
The State Department suggests that you take two or three wallet-size photos along on a trip overseas, in case you need to replace your passport or decide to visit an additional country that requires a visa.
Political situations may affect your travel plans as well as procedures for second passports and validations. Check with the Passport Agency for current regulations.

For more useful Information on:

* Passport and Visa Information
* Locate an Embassy
* Down load applications
* Renew Passports
* Check Document status
* Fee Information

Click onto our Government Link and learn all you will need to know about Passports and Visas.

Travel.State.Gov

A Quick Summary of Documentation Requirements

Travel within the United States:

Adults: For travel within the United States a photo Identification Card such as a government issued drivers license or Military Identification is required for all adults. The name on the ID Card must match the name on the reservation.

Minors: Minors do not need an Identification Card but must accompany their parents or guardians unless previous arrangements were made for an Unaccompanied Minor.

Cruise Ships: Cruise Ships require the same Identification for cruises not leaving United States Waters and Ports.

Travel to Canada & Mexico:

Adults: For travel to Canada and Mexico a Passport is always the best form of Identification. If you do not possess one you may substitute a Government issued Identification Card or Military Identification Card along with an original Birth Certificate with the raised State seal on it.

Minors: For travel in Canada and Mexico Minors are also required to have an original Birth Certificate with the raised State seal on it. Again a Passport is always the best form of Identification.

Cruise Ships: Cruise Ships require the same Identification for cruises entering Mexican or Canadian Waters and Ports. Cruise Lines also recognize a 16 year old Minor as an adult and require the same documentation as an adult.

International Travel Including The Caribbean:

Passports: For International Travel a Passport is mandatory. A Passport must be valid at least six months after the return date. Some Countries require a Passport to be valid at least six months prior to your departure date as well.

Visas: In some cases, Visas may be required to enter another Country. Most Visas are usually only valid for a short time. Some Visas need to be arranged prior to your departure and other Visas are obtained upon entry into the Country you are traveling to.

A List of Acceptable Forms of Identification:

Government Issued Drivers Licence :

Government Issued Photo ID:

An Original Birth Certificate:

A Government Issued Passports:

A Military ID:

A Government Issued School ID:

Passport & Visa Information