WATCH: Know Before You Go — Passport Tips For Every Traveler

Brittany Jones-Cooper
·Reporter
Updated

Ah, the passport. It’s amazing how one little book can open you up to a world of opportunity and adventure.

Getting one is pretty straightforward, but once it’s in your possession, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your trip goes smoothly. Here are some helpful tips every passport owner should know.

1. How to get one

It’s pretty easy to get a passport. Simply go to the passport section of the U.S. Department of State website and follow the instructions. If you’re looking to renew a passport, you can typically do that through the mail. If it’s your first time, you’ll need to visit an authorized acceptance facility, which might be a post office, library, or municipal office in your city.

A new passport will cost you $110 and usually takes four to six weeks to arrive in the mail.

2. Know when to renew

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Make sure to renew your passport well before it expires. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Many countries require that your U.S. passport have as many as six months of validity remaining for entry. In other words, even if your passport isn’t expired, you may run into hiccups at certain borders. So, six months before your passport expires, renew it to save yourself the cost and stress of ruining a trip.

If you’re a frequent flier, you might have a lot of stamps in your book — which is awesome! But it also means you may not have many free pages. Some countries have restrictions and may not allow you to enter if you have less than a specific number of blank visa pages. Usually, you need two to four blank pages.

There are several ways to remedy this issue:

  • You can get a new passport by renewing through the mail.

  • You can purchase a packet of 24 blank visa pages to add to your passport.

  • If you’re a frequent traveler, you can request a larger passport when applying. This book will have 43 blank pages for stamps and visas instead of the regular 17.

3. Keep it safe

Keep your passport and travel documents in a waterproof bag. You don’t want to be stuck in a foreign country twiddling your thumbs while you wait to replace a damaged passport.

Also, make two photocopies of your passport ID page in case your passport is lost or stolen. Leave one copy with someone at home, and carry the other one with you, separate from your original travel documents. This will make it easier and quicker to replace the original.

Related: What If … You Lose Your Car Keys, Passport, Wallet, or Phone While Traveling?

4. Get a duplicate

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Two passports is better than one. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Did you know that you can get a second passport? This is nice, because you’ll always have a backup passport — so if you lose it, you’re not out of luck. In addition, sometimes you have to drop off your passport at an embassy to get a visa. A second passport will allow you to travel to another location while your visa is being processed.

If this sounds like something you need, first make sure your current passport is valid. If it is, go to the Department of State website and fill out form DS-82 for passport renewal. Print the form, attach a passport photo and a check for $110, and send it in. A couple of weeks later, your second passport will arrive in the mail. It’s that easy!

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