All individuals arriving in the United States by air, land and sea must have a passport or an approved alternative document. In order to obtain a passport, one must provide evidence of citizenship and identification.
According to the United States Department of State, evidence of U.S. citizenship must be provided when applying for a U.S. passport. This evidence is proven using a pre-approved list of documents that is dependent upon the specific situation in which you are facing (e.g. availability of birth certificate, place of birth and others).
In addition to evidence of citizenship, proof of identification must be provided when applying for a U.S. passport. The U.S. Department of State provides requirements for primary and secondary identification must be submitted with the application.
It is necessary to renew your passport if it has expired or has been lost, stolen, altered, mutilated, damaged or if your name has changed. Passports can be renewed by mail or in person at a passport agency depending upon a person's specific circumstances.
There are a number of passport agencies throughout the United States and are strategically placed in many major cities. These offices are primarily for individuals that must apply for a passport in person. The U.S. Department of State provides a listing of all passport agencies on their website.
Most countries require the expiration date to be within six months of the date of entry. It is best to check the requirements for each country prior to departure and within enough time to renew your passport if necessary.
