How to Get Your Passport
• Apply now for a passport well before your trip — if possible, three months before you plan to leave.
• Apply in person at a passport office, court, or post office that handles passport applications.
• Call ahead to find out about the fee. Ask which papers and forms of identification you'll need to bring with you.
• Bring recent photographs of yourself. These photographs should be "passport size." Most photo centers take passport photos.
When you get your passport, sign it. Be sure to fill in your name, address, and the name of someone to contact in case your passport is lost.
You may need a visa to enter some countries. You will need a passport before you can apply for a visa. Check with the U.S. State Department: (202) 647-5225 or the country's consulate closest to you.
Next: For World Travelers
