Don't go around world and back to get a passport

In this story: Get your paperwork in order Passports by mail Passport care RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Thurston Hatcher
CNN

(CNN) -- The prospect of getting a new passport typically ranks up there with root canals and an evening with the in-laws.

But it's really not such a huge ordeal these days -- or it doesn't have to be if you plan ahead and follow some simple guidelines.

For starters, figure out whether you need a passport for your trip abroad.

If you're a United States citizen, you don't need passports for travel to and from Mexico, Canada and some Caribbean countries, just identification and proof of U.S. citizenship.

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If you have a current passport but it will expire soon, you'd be wise to renew before heading abroad. Some countries require that the passport be valid at least six months beyond your travel period.

Once you've decided you need one, the next step is figuring out the easiest way to get one of the more than 6 million U.S. passports issued each year.

If you've never had a passport, your last one was lost or stolen or more than 15 years have passed since you last got one, you'll have to apply in person for a new one.

There are more than 4,500 passport application sites nationwide, including many courthouses, post offices and local government offices. There also are 13 official passport agencies in several major cities, but they usually serve people who need their passports in under two weeks' time, and they require appointments.

Get your paperwork in order

Before you go, make sure you've got all the necessary documentation -- along with the $60 fee.

You'll need proof of citizenship, which includes any one of the following: a previous U.S. passport; a certified birth certificate; a consular report of birth abroad; a naturalization certificate; or certificate of citizenship.

You'll also need identification, which can include a previous U.S. passport; a naturalization certificate; a current valid driver's license; or a government or military ID. A Social Security card will not be accepted, although it can be used if a qualified person with proper identification can vouch for you.

And don't forget your Social Security number. If you don't provide one, the IRS may force you to pay a $500 penalty (the IRS routinely gets the scoop on taxpayers through Passport Services, and has a code requiring passport applicants to supply a social security number for reference).

You also need to take two identical 2-by-2-inch photos taken within the past six months. They can be color or black-and-white but must show the full face from the front, with 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. You shouldn't wear a hat, uniform or dark glasses.

It's best to avoid photos from department-store vending machines, as they're generally not acceptable. Go to a studio or travel agency that takes official passport photos.

Children 12 and younger don't need to apply in person, but parents or legal guardians must appear on their behalf and have valid ID. The passport fee for travelers under age 16 is $40.

Passports by mail

In some cases, you may be able to get your passport by mail.

People who have an undamaged passport they received within the last 15 years -- and who were over age 16 and had the same name when they got it -- can complete an application and mail it to the National Passport Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

It should contain the old passport, two identical passport photos and a $40 fee.

Whether you apply in person or by mail, you'll typically get your passport within about six weeks, the government says. But if you need it sooner, you can pay an extra $35 for expedited service, which reduces your wait to two weeks on average.

If you don't want to spend the extra money, then you should apply for a passport several months in advance, ideally between September and December when the volume of applications is typically at its lowest.

Passport care

Once you have your passport and are about to leave the country, there are some additional precautions you need to take.

The U.S. State Department recommends taking an extra set of passport photos and a photocopy of the passport information page to help make replacement easier, in case you lose your passport. Also leave another photocopy at home with friends or relatives.

If it is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the police and closest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Passports are valid for 10 years, or five years for people younger than 16.

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U.S. State Department: Passport Services
U.S. State Department: Your Trip Abroad

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