Passport & Visa Information

"Airplane travel is nature's way of making you look like your passport photo."  Al Gore

If you are going to travel anywhere outside the United States, you will need a passport.  Some places also require a visa.  The visa is something that certain countries require citizens of other countries to purchase before they can enter their country.  Before you travel to any country, you should check to see if a visa is required of U.S. citizens. Most of the time you will have to apply for and have the visa before you leave on your trip.  Some countries, such as Turkey, allow you to purchase the visa as you enter.

Traveling abroad does not have to be difficult.  There are things you need to know before you go on any trip.   By going to this website http://travel.state.gov/travel you can get all the information you will need to get a new passport, to renew an old passport, or to find out how to replace a lost passport.  This website also has information on almost every country and what the visa requirements are for U.S. citizens.  It also gives you travel warnings for areas that may be having problems.  The website can also be used if you are overseas and need emergency assistance from your government.  There is a whole page of travel advice and how to have a safe trip.  Everyone should check out the information before heading out on a trip.

You can register with the State Department before going on a trip.  The program is called The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.  You let the state department know your travel plans through this program and this will help them contact you if there is a family emergency or if there is a crisis where you are traveling.  This information is private and they will not release your information without your authorization.  To sign up go to https://travelregistration.state.gov

Now that you have your passport and any visa you might need, go and travel the world.  It is an exciting world out there, with so much to see. And if you want a fun travel book to take along on the trip, why not find a copy of "When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It's Time To Go Home" by Erma Bombeck.  It will keep you laughing the whole trip. Enjoy, and travel safely.

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Tip:  Before leaving home, make a photo copy of the inside of your passport - the page with your picture and all your information.  Keep this photo copy in a separate place from your passport, but where you will have it if needed.  If you should lose your passport while traveling, having the photocopy will help with getting you back home.