If you are planning on visiting the San Diego, California from another country you will need a passport to be able to enter the country and complete your travel destination. Whether you are flying into the country or driving by car, you will need to present your US passport to customs officials at the airport or border.

Obtaining a passport can be done in several ways but you will need to have a few things in place before you decide to pursue traveling to San Diego.

Checklist to Complete Before Applying for a Passport

There are several things you will need before you can even step foot in San Diego, California. You will need proof of a valid driver's license and two other forms of identification to obtain a passport. Anything that has your photograph on it and your address will suffice. You cannot use your social security card as means to identification.

You will also need two current photographs of yourself. Some passport service centers offer to take your pictures for nominal fee, but generally you should be prepared to present both photos with you at the time of applying for your passport.You will also need your original birth certificate for applying for a US passport.

If you do not have one you will need to contact the court house record department in the city where you were born so they can furnish you with a legible copy. You will also need to bring the required fee with you for obtaining the US passport. The fee services range in dollar amounts depending on where you are getting the passport from. Check ahead of time also before you arrive as to what forms of payment they accept.

Apply for the US Passport

There are several places that you can apply for your US passport. The most popular place is on the US Department of State's website. Here you can get answers to pertinent questions and the site will walk you through the application process. The only downfall is that you will have to wait to get your passport.

Many times your local post office also offers passport services where you can obtain your passport and be on your way in just a few minutes. There are several other places you can obtain a passport. You can check for these locations in your yellow pages or phone directory.

Be sure to plan months in advance for your trip to San Diego by obtaining your passport ahead of time, this will prevent bumps along the way and assure a safe trip to San Diego, California that you will enjoy and remember for years to come.