Documentation

It depends on where you are going. Foreign travel often requires a passport. However, you may be able to enter some countries with just a notarized birth certificate with a raised seal and your driver’s license. Although, some countries may not require much to enter, you’ll still need proof of citizenship when you re-enter the United States.
You’ll need to find out if any of the foreign travel you are planning will require a passport or visa.
You should be able to find specific instructions on what type of paperwork you’ll need from the embassy or consulate of the country you’ll be visiting.
The passenger is completely responsible for all travel documents. Just having a ticket to get there won’t do you any good.
If you don’t have a passport, apply for one at least 3 months before travel.
If you already have a passport, make sure it will still be valid for your entire trip.
If your passport will be within six months of expiration while you’re traveling, you may want to get a new passport since some countries now require that your passport must be valid six months after your return to the U.S.

Where can you get a passport
You can get one at a State Department Passport Agency, a clerk of any Federal or State Court of record, designated municipal or county official or a designated U.S. Post Office.

What will you need to get your passport
You may need to appear in person. If you are a first time applicant, you’ll need to appear in person at one of the official locations listed above. You will also need to appear in person if it has been more then 12 years since your last passport was issued or you were under 16 years of age when your last passport was issued. Applicants under 13 are not always required to appear in person since a parent or guardian may execute the application on the child’s behalf.
You will need one of the following to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
A certified copy of your birth certificate with a U.S. State or county embossed seal. Hospital certificates are NOT accepted. OR
Your naturalization/Citizenship certificate. OR
Your previously issued and expired passport. If your name has changed from the one listed on your previous passport, you must submit the sealed legal document showing the name change. (Marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.)
Two identical recently taken 2x2inch front view facial, from the bottom of your chin to top of head, photographs. No hats or dark glasses can be worn in the photographs. Have them taken at a passport shop since snapshots and machine photos are not acceptable. You may want to get several extra copies of the photograph since they can also be used for international driver’s permits and other documents. Traveling with extra photographs will also make it easier to replace your passport, if yours is lost.
A Driver’s license or Military I.D. issued over six months ago. State I.D. cards are only acceptable with several other forms of I.D. Temporary or altered documents are NOT accepted. Parent’s I.D. will be used for that of a minor child.
A completed official passport application form.
You’ll also have to pay a passport fee that will be listed on your application form.

What is a visa
A visa is an endorsement on your passport that will allow entry into the country you’ll be visiting. It states that your passport has been inspected and that everything is valid. It will usually give permission for you to visit a country for a specific time period and purpose.
Some countries in the world require that you be issued a visa before you are allowed to enter their country. They may also have special requirements if you plan a particularly long stay or will be doing business while visiting. You’ll need to make sure to have all the papers you’ll need. All travel documents are the responsibility of the passenger. Your ticket to get there won’t do any good if you don’t have the required paperwork. You should contact the embassy or consulate of each country you’ll be visiting for information on the paperwork needed for entry. Remember to allow plenty of time for the paperwork to be processed before you travel. Visas often require several weeks to be processed.

How can you find out if you will need a passport or visa for your trip
travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
The U.S. State Department, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Foreign Entry Requirements web page. This site lists the entry requirements of foreign countries. It also includes the addresses and telephone numbers of foreign embassies and consulates in the United States. This web site is a good starting point, but since the information presented is subject to change, you should also check directly with the embassy or consulate of the country you a planning to visit.
www.state.gov/www/travel/consular_offices/fco_index.html
The U.S. State Department’s Foreign Consular Offices web page. This site contains an updated listing of contact information for foreign countries’ consular offices in the United States.

What should you do if you lose your passport
Immediately notify the local police and the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, so they can begin to work on a replacement and grant you permission to re-enter the United States. Hopefully, you will have made a copy of your original passport and brought along some extra passport photographs to expedite the process.

How can you find the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country that you're visiting
usembassy.state.gov
The U.S. State Department International Information Program’s U.S. Embassies web page. This site contains links to U.S. Embassies and Consulates in foreign countries throughout the world. Each site is different, but they all contain information that would be helpful to a U.S. citizen planning on visiting the particular foreign country.

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