Safeguard your passport in an inconspicuous, inaccessible place like a money belt and keep a copy of the critical pages with your passport number in a separate place. If you lose your passport, visit the nearest consulate of your native country as soon as possible for a replacement. Passport applications are downloadable from the Web sites listed below.
For Residents of the United States
If you're applying for a first-time passport, you need to do it in person at a U.S. passport office; a federal, state, or probate court; or a major post office (though not all post offices accept applications; call the number below to find the ones that do). You need to present a certified birth certificate as proof of citizenship, and it's wise to bring along your driver's license, state or military ID, and social security card as well. You also need two identical passport-sized photos (2 in. by 2 in.), taken at any corner photo shop (not one of the strip photos, however, from a photo-vending machine).
For people over 15, a passport is valid for 10 years and costs $60; for those 15 and under, it's valid for 5 years and costs $40. If you're over 15 and have a valid passport that was issued within the past 12 years, you can renew it by mail for $40. Allow plenty of time before your trip to apply; processing normally takes 3 weeks but can take longer during busy periods (especially spring). For general information, call the National Passport Agency (tel. 202/647-0518). To find your regional passport office, either check the U.S. State Department Web site (travel.state.gov) or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at tel. 1-877-4USA-PPT (same as 1-877-487-2778).
American Passport Express (tel. 800/841-6778; www.americanpassport.com) will process your passport for you in a week for $50, plus the cost of the passport itself ($75 for a renewal; $95 for a first-time or lost passport). If you need the passport in 3 to 4 days, the cost is $100, and for $150 you can receive your passport in 24 hours.
For Residents of Canada
Canadian passports are valid for 5 years and cost $60. Children under 16 may be included on a parent's passport but need their own to travel unaccompanied by the parent. Applications, which must be accompanied by two identical passport-sized photographs and proof of Canadian citizenship, are available at passport offices throughout Canada, post offices, or from the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, Ont. K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/passport). Processing takes 5 to 10 days if you apply in person, or about 3 weeks by mail.
For Residents of the United Kingdom
As a member of the European Union, you need only an identity card, not a passport, to travel to other EU countries. However, if you already possess a passport, it's always useful to carry it. To pick up an application for a regular 10-year passport (the Visitor's Passport has been abolished), visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency. You can also contact the United Kingdom Passport Service at tel. 0870/571-0410 or search its Web site at www.ukpa.gov.uk. Passports are £ 30 for adults and £ 16 for children under 16.
For Residents of Ireland
You can apply for a 10-year passport, costing 57€ at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). Those under age 18 and over 65 must apply for a 3-year passport, costing 12€. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 021/272-525) or over the counter at most main post offices.
For Residents of Australia
Apply at your local post office or passport office or search the government Web site at www.passports.gov.au. Passports cost A$136 for adults and A$68 for those under 18. The Australia State Passport Office can be reached at tel. 131232; travelers must schedule an interview to submit their passport application materials.
For Residents of New Zealand
You can pick up a passport application at any travel agency or Link Centre. For more info, contact the Passport Office, Dept. of Internal Affairs, P.O. Box 10-526, Wellington (tel. 0800/225-050; www.passports.govt.nz). Passports are NZ$80 for adults and NZ$40 for those under 16.
