Are you planning an exotic getaway? Traveling with a U.S. passport that's about to expire? Think you may need more passport pages for visas? Have a new baby on board? Don't wait to renew or acquire a U.S. passport or any other required government IDs. Biometric Electronic passports are now required for all U.S. citizens traveling by air to all Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) countries: Caribbean islands, Mexico, Bermuda, and even Canada (areas where a US citizen's birth certificate used to suffice.)

Requirements for travel by land and sea, however, have been waived through June 1, 2009, giving the the U.S. government time to develop the U.S. Passport Card. Available August 2008, this wallet-sized document -- only good for land and sea cross-border travel between the U. S. and WHTI countries -- utilizes a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip to give DHS officers access to photographs and other biographical information before the traveler reaches the inspection booth so that inspection can be facilitated. According to the DHS, "for privacy protection, no personal information is stored on the electronic chip itself." It is not valid for international travel by air, but it only costs $45 for first-time adult applicants and $35 for children under 16. Adults who currently have valid passports can apply for the passport card by mail for $20; visit http://travel.state.gov/ for applications and information.

Regardless of what you choose, plan ahead to apply and receive any government-issued documentation. More than 350,000 Americans pre-ordered the U.S. Passport Cards in its first six-month trial and, according to the Department of State, for the first eight months of fiscal year 2007, the Department issued 10.3 million passports, a 37% increase over the same period last year.

What You'll Need for a Passport

14 to 16 Week's Lead Time
Application (download and fill out before appointment)
Proof of Citizenship (previous passport, birth certificate)
Two Photos (professional quality, they've gotten very strict about these)
Proof of ID (previous passport, driver's license)
Fees

How To Do It

If you have a few months' lead time, head to your local post office or library or one of the more than 8,000 Passport Centers noted on the NPIC website to pick up an application, or download one from the site. At your nearest One-Hour-Photo you can have two identical 2"x2" color or B&W photos taken, but we like to do this ourselves, particularly with squirmy young ones. At home, center the subject's head so it takes up about 1/3 of the frame, take several very clear shots, then print duplicate 3 1/2" x 5" prints or have the One-Hour Photo do it, and cut them neatly into 2" squares. Make sure these are super sharp, no shadows, no hats or eyewear; passport application officers have become strict about clarity and quality.

Fees have skyrocketed with the inclusion of Security and Execution Charges, as well as with the new requirement for Biometric passports. Prepare to pay $97 (first time passport, valid 10 years), $82 (children under 16 years, valid 5 years only), or $67 (renewal, valid 10 years).

By Mail

Potential applicants renewing by mail must meet certain qualifications (see website) and provide their expired passports. Xerox everything, then bring it back to your authorized district mail center, or send it directly to the nearest Passport Center, as noted on the website, http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html.

Who Must Apply In Person

If you are a First Time applicant of any age, you will need to see a Passport Center officer in person with proof of U.S. citizenship and identity; parents can provide these papers for accompanying children but must have their own photo IDs.

Anyone needing to renew an expired passport that was issued when the passport holder was less than 16-years of age must also apply in person. There are now 8,000 U.S. passport acceptance facilities nationwide. Most of the local Passport Centers accept applicants by appointment only.

Children's Passports

Remember that every citizen, no matter the age, must now carry her own passport. Since July 2001, strict new guidelines for the issuance of passports to minors under the age of 14-years require the presence of both parents, with proof of parentage, or one parent's appearance with a notorized statement of consent from the second parent (or divorce papers, death certificates, lawyer's letters -- this is complicated so be sure to check the NPIC website before arriving at their office). Additionally, minors ages 14-17 may be required to produce written parental consent if they apply without their guardians in attendance, and must have guardians (with their own ID) in attendance if they have no appropriate government-issued ID with them.

Note: We recommend that any parent who has a different surname than their child also carry a photocopy of the child's birth certificate while traveling, providing legal evidence of "guardianship" in case of trouble.

If custody issues are a concern, parents may also request that their children's names be entered in the U.S. passport name-check system. The Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program provides notification to parents of passport applications made on behalf of minor children, and denial of passport issuance if appropriate court orders are on file with the CPIAP. The Office of Children's Issues (202/736-9090) will provide more information.

Rush Hour

If you're in a desperate rush, bring your travel tickets (departure must be dated within two weeks of passport application), necessary documents and cash to your regional passport center, wait on line to fill out the application, sign it, pay an additional $60 Expedite Fee, and return in person or have the passport delivered to you by overnight mail.

If you can't manage this, help is available. For a fee of $100-$175 per passport (on top of the regular Passport Agency fees), expediters can do the legwork for you. They'll get you the forms, take your stuff and wait and deliver your documents within 24-48 hours.

Nationwide expediters include Travco Services (800/987-2826), It's Easy (866/487-3279) and Instant Passport (800/284-2564). Several regional expeditors include the following: In New York, Passport Plus (212/759-5540) or It's Easy (866/487-3279); in San Francisco, The Center for International Business and Travel (800/929-2428) and in Washington, DC, A. Briggs Passport Plus (800/806-0581).

Confused?

For more information, take advantage of the National Passport Information Center's toll-free phone assistance line, 877-4USA-PPT (877/487-2778), manned by live operators from 8am-8pm weekdays, EST. TDD/TTY users may call 888/874-7793; recorded assistance is available 24/7 on both phone lines.

Additionally, the NPIC claims they will answer email inquiries addressed to npic@state.gov within two normal business days.