Traveling outside the country is a dream of many people. Planning for your trip is a great process too - deciding on where you're going to fly or sail to, and how long you're going to be away for. One part of the process some people forget about is their passport - an important part of overseas travel.



Travel outside of the United States requires a passport. For most people this is common knowledge, but other people may forget just how important it is to have a passport if you're going outside of the US. There are just a couple of countries that do not require seeing your passport upon arrival in their land.

When traveling to Canada or Mexico by land or sea, you may enter the country without a valid US passport, but you must have copies of both your driver's license and an official copy of your birth certificate. Traveling by air to these countries still requires a passport.

If you've never had or applied for a passport in the US before, you will need to apply for your passport to travel in person. The easiest way is to apply at one of the many United States Post Offices that deal with passport applications. They are easy to find on the USPS website, or ask your post office.

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.

When applying, bring your completed application (download a passport application off the Internet) along with two passport photos (2"x2", identical, obtainable at any photo processing store) to your selected site. You will also need proof of citizenship, such as your birth certificate.

Be prepared to also prove who you are. Proving your identity usually entails showing your driver's license or other identification card that has been issued by a state agency. Minors many not have cards like this, so they will need to be present at the application, and you will need to vouch for their id.

Get ready to pony up some moolah, as your final step is paying for the passport fees. About $100 will get you a standard passport processing time, additional money will get you a more expedited time. Minors' passports cost less. Processing time can take up to eight weeks depending on many variables.

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.