Any plans of traveling beyond the borders of the United States? If you do, then don't forget to get yourself a valid passport before you book that next flight to Rome. Even though Mexico or Canada is only a border away, you still need a passport to cross the other side. Gone were the days when a copy of your original birth certificate is enough. Americans use the only universally accepted form of indentification, especially when travelling abroad - the United States passports.
Governments have used some form of passports for over a hundred years. Passports, letters of transit and similar documents were used to identify a traveler as a citizen or a national with a right to protection in foreign lands and a right to go back to his nativeland. Even though passports were not accepted as the official form of identification for global travelers prior to the 19th and 20th centuries, they were used since then.
In the United States, US citizens apply a passport from the State Department and its 14 passport agencies in major cities, clerks of federal and certain state courts, certain designated post offices and US consular authorities abroad. The passport is required for both departure and re-entry to the United States. The validity of the passport depend on the age of the holder; it is valid for 10 years for adults, while 5 years for children below 18 as their appearances change more often.
New technologies are incorporated like advanced printing technology, special inks and security thread in the paper to occasionally upgrade it the production of US passports; this avoids imitators and forgers. A new passport was introduced in 2006 called the e-passport or the RFID (radio frequency identification) passport. It has a computer chip embedded in the back cover that contains your biographical information and a digital copy of your photograph, which is used with facial recognition technology.
First time applicants need to apply in person for their United States passports. A physical appearance is also required for children below 18. There are 2 steps to apply: (1) Complete application Form DS-11, and (2) Present proof of US citizenship (previous US passport, certified birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship).
Travelling overseas, specifically for the first time, is a very exhilirating experience. It may take a little time and money to apply for a passport, but the freedom you'll get to travel abroad is all worth it. Some foreign countries require visas for you to enter their country. Make sure you check olut the foreign entry requirements ahead before your scheduled departure to give you time to process your visa. Basically, US passports are all that is needed for international travelling. And your plane ticket too!
