By: Richard Chapo

It’s vacation time! There are a lot of things to think about when traveling - where you want to go to and when you want to go, and how much time you’d like to spend there - but you also need to think about those little annoying things like the rules of travel, and even, getting your passport.

If you are planning to travel outside of the United States, you will need a US passport as your main form of identification while traveling. There are no exceptions to this rule except for Mexico and Canada - and those are only in specific circumstances.

The two big countries that do not require seeing your passport, at least in some circumstances, are Mexico and Canada. You do not have to show them your passport if you are visiting by land or sea. However, flying in requires a passport. Land and sea requires your birth certificate and driver’s license.

For people who have not yet had a US passport, there is a strict requirement that your passport is applied for in person. Probably the best way to do this is to look up which of your local US Post Offices accepts passport applications. Or, you can ask your post office in person.

There are other locations that will accept your passport application, if this is the first time you are applying for your passport. These include some public libraries, state, county and town municipal offices and court clerk offices. In all, there are over 9,000 spots to apply for your passport.

Complete your application ahead of time by downloading one off the web, or pick up an application and complete it on the spot. You will need to bring with you your proof of citizenship (a birth certificate is the most common) and two passport photos, identical 2″x2″ pictures.

Bring along your driver’s license, non-driver id card or other state issued identification card as well. You will need this card in order to prove your identity. It you are applying for minor children, you will need to bring them with you so you can vouch for their identity in person, as they lack this id.

Your next step is paying for the passport, which will cost you about $100 in fees. It will cost a little less for minors. You will also need to be prepared to wait for your passport to arrive - a process which can take up to eight weeks. Check the travel.gov website for updated wait times.

Be sure to apply for your passport well in advance of your date of travel, especially if you are not renewing your passport and it is a new passport application. This way, you can make sure that you get your passport in time, without having to worry about missing your trip.

Aazdak Alisimo writes about travel subjects for NomadJournals.com - makers of travel journals that make great promotional gifts.

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