When is it Required to Get a Passport?

You are only required to have a passport when you fly internationally.

Passport Card

If you are traveling by alternative transportation to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean, a passport card may be acceptable. For more information, visit the U.S. State Department website.

Applying for a Passport

In order to get a passport, you will need to fill out the "DS-11 Form." However, you will need to apply for a passport in person if you are younger than 16 or if you've never applied for a passport. You'll also need to bring your birth certificate.

Passport Photos

When applying for a passport, don't forget to get your photo taken. It should be 2 inches by 2 inches and taken in front of a white background. You can have the photo taken at a photo studio or drugstore.

When to Expect Your Passport

Your passport should take about four to six weeks to arrive, though you can have it expedited; it should then arrive in two to three weeks. As of 2009, passport costs range between $75 and $160, depending on your age and whether you apply in person or by mail.

Identification

Depending on the state you live in, you can use your passport as identification if you are applying for or renewing a driver's license. You can also use your passport as a form of ID when you are traveling domestically.

References

• Transportation Security Administration Identification Requirements
• U.S. Department of State Passport Information
• The Unofficial DMV Guide

Resources

• U.S. Passport Card