Your passport is your official identification as an American citizen. In America, mostpeople never consider obtaining a passport unless they are planning a trip out of the country. Apassport is final proof of identity in almost every country in the world. In 1979 almost 15million Americans held passports. Most of these passports were obtained to travel outside thecountry because, except for a few Western nations, passports are required to enter everycountry. And if you travel abroad, you must have a valid passport to reenter the country.
When traveling abroad, you will need a passport for identification when exchangingdollars for francs or marks or other foreign currency. You may also need your passport to use acredit card, buy an airplane ticket, check into a hotel or casino.
Dont confuse passports and visas. Whereas a passport is issued by a country to itscitizens, a visa is official permission to visit a country granted by the government of thatcountry. For some years, many countries were dropping their visa requirements, but that trendhas reversed. Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela now require visas from U.S. citizens. Theymay be obtained from the embassy of the country you wish to visit.
Passport applications are available at passport agency offices in large cities like Boston,New York, or Chicago. In smaller cities, applications are available at post offices and atfederal courts. To get your first passport, you must submit the application in person, alongwith a birth certificate and two pictures.
Maybe because most Americans use their passports only when traveling and because theyare good for five years, many people lose their passports. Any every passport is worththousands of dollars to smugglers or criminals who desire to enter this country illegally orassume a false identity. Travelers should keep their passports in their pockets or pocketbooksat all times; never pack them or leave them in a room or automobile; when you arrive backhome, store your passport in a safe or safety deposit box. And report a lost or stolen passportimmediately; it is literally your identity.
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