Before you depart, visit  their website(http://travel.state.gov) to find information about required documentation for entry into a particular country, travel warnings and alerts, and emergency contact information should you require the services of an American embassy while you're traveling.

Country-specific information -- Including travel warnings and entry requirements.

Tips for Traveling Abroad(Tips for Traveling Abroad) 

To apply for a passport for the first time, you will need to go to a passport acceptance facility, fill out the application for a passport, and present acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship and passport photos.  If you are renewing your passport, you can apply in person or by mail. Detailed information about requirements, locations, and instructions is available on the Department of State’s passport website.

If you need to renew your U.S. passport and were at least 16 years old when it was issued, you may be able to apply for renewal through the mail. For more information, and to see if you are eligible to apply by mail, click here.

If you have applied for your passport and are concerned that it will not arrive before your international departure, my office can check on the status of your application.  It is helpful if you first check the status of your application using the State Department’s website and retrieve your locator number.  This will assist my office in our inquiry.  

Due to the high demand for passports, the processing time for passport applications has increased. Currently, regular processing takes 10-12 weeks. If you are traveling or need your passport to obtain a visa within the next two weeks, contact the Department of State's National Passport Information Center. The Center's telephone number is 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). 

If your planned travel is more than two or three weeks away, you can choose to expedite your passport application. The expedited process currently takes 2-3 weeks and includes overnight service for sending in your application, and returning your passport to you. The fee for expedited service is $60, in addition to the regular passport processing fees. 

For more information on applying for a passport, click here.

If your passport was lost or stolen, it is important to report the loss immediately to protect yourself from identity theft.

If lost overseas, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

If your passport was lost or stolen in the United States, you must first report the passport as missing to the Department of State and then apply to replace the passport. For more detailed instructions and the necessary forms, click here.

Every country has different requirements for entry. Almost all countries limit the length of time you may legally stay without a visa, and some have entrance or exit fees. Countries may also limit what you may bring into the country or take with you when you leave.

If you plan on traveling abroad, review the Department of State's list of foreign entry requirements.

Do I need a passport for traveling to Mexico, Canada, and other countries in the Western Hemisphere?

On June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens returning home by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, or Bermuda are required to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security. Before these new rules went into effect, U.S. citizens only needed to show proof of identity and U.S. citizenship.

As always, if you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.