CNN - Travelguide - Essentials - Passports

(CNN) -- A passport is a traveler's identification abroad. The document also serves as a request from one government to another to provide safe passage for the traveler. And for most anywhere you want to go outside of your home country, you'll need one.

A country's department of state or ministry of foreign affairs generally handles passport applications and issuance. In the United States, citizens apply at regional passport agencies or at designated post offices or clerks of court.

The U.S. Department of State advises applying for a passport several months before your trip, though sometimes the turn-around is just a matter of weeks. It depends on how busy the passport office is, so apply early.

How to apply

Answers to common questions

Related sites

How to apply for a passport

Apply in person the first time out -- and bring proper I.D. and money to pay the fee.

Here's the short list of what you need:
1. Proof of citizenship
2. Proof of identity
3. Two identical photographs
4. Money to pay your fee
5. Your social security number

Proving citizenship

Bring along one of these:

previous U.S. passport

certified birth certificate

Consular Report of Birth Abroad

naturalization certificate

certificate of citizenship

If none of those are available, the applicant needs a "Letter of No Record" from the state that searched unsuccessfully for such records, and some other documentation that the applicant was born in the United States. That could include:

baptismal certificate

hospital birth certificate

census record

certificate of circumcision

early school record

family Bible record

doctor's record of post-natal care

Voter registration cards and army discharge papers are not acceptable.

Proving identity

To prove to the passport officials that you are who you say you are, pack up one of the following:

previous U.S. passport

naturalization certificate

certificate of citizenship

current, valid driver's licence

city, state, or federal government ID

military ID

work ID (must be currently employed with the company)

student ID (must be currently enrolled)

Merchant Marines card (Seamen's or Z card)

pilot or flight attendant ID

Social Security cards are not acceptable as identification.

If none of these are available, bring along someone who has known you for at least two years, is a U.S. citizen, and DOES have valid ID. That person must complete a form (DSP-71) vouching for your identity. You must also bring along some form of signature ID such as a Social Security card, credit card, bank card, etc.

Children under age 13 are not required to apply in person, but a child's parent or legal guardian must show proper ID to complete the application process.

Picture me

YOU bring the pictures for the passport. This means you can snap the shutter yourself, or you can go to one of those places that advertises passport photos. Two photos will run you about 10 bucks.

Warning: If you shoot it yourself, there are size restrictions. Passport photos MUST be 2x2 inches square, and the image size from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head should fall between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches. The background must be white or off-white.

Vending machine photos are not accepted.

Look normal. If you regularly wear glasses, wear 'em in the photograph (no, not sunglasses). Same for hearing devices, wigs and the like. NO HATS.

Pay up

$60 for those 16 and up (valid for 10 years)

$40 for those under 16 (valid for five years)

$35 extra if you are going for an expedited passport (see below)

You can pay with a check or money order made out to "Passport Services." Passport agencies and the post office will take cash as well.

Social security

Technically, you don't need a social security number to get a passport -- but the Internal Revenue Service does need it for you to get a passport. Huh? Well, the IRS routinely gets the scoop on taxpayers (or evaders) through Passport Services, and has a code requiring passport applicants to supply a social security number for reference. Bottom line: bring yer digits.