Getting or renewing a U.S. passport to travel the world is as simple as visiting a nearby post office.  It is best to call your own local post office to see if they offer this service.  If they do not, they can recommend one that does.

 Most of the passport regulations and fees have not changed markedly in the past year, however, one change that you will have to check into is the one regarding passports for children 13 years of age or younger.  As a result of the legislation that Congress has passed to deter international child abduction, both parents will now have to sign the application, in person.  If one parent cannot be present, he or she will have to provide an affidavit granting permission.

 Mexico and Canada already require that children under 16 who are entering those countries alone or with only one parent or guardian have notarized permission from the absent parent. 

 General passport information is available 24 hours a day from the National Passport Information Center, tel. (900) 225-5674.  A nominal fee per minute is charged to the caller for using this number.  It takes about 7 minutes to hear all of the general information.  On weekdays from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., a service representative can be accessed at any time in the message by dialing 0.

 If you are using a phone that cannot be billed, the same information is available at (999) 362-8668. This costs about $5.00 billed to your credit card.

 Forms and information can also be accessed from the State Department Internet site: http://travel.state.gov (click on Passport Information)

 To obtain a passport for the first time, or to renew a lost or expired passport, the application must be made in person at a designated post office.  You will need to show proof of citizenship and photo ID, such as a driver’s license, and submit two new 2 by 2 inch photos.

 A valid (not expired) passport can be renewed by mail.  Obtain forms at a post office or the Web site.  The cost is around $60.00 for a new adult passport (age 16 and older), $40.00 for renewal, and $40.00 for a child’s passport.

Most countries that are popular travel destinations for American travelers do not require entry visas.

 Travel agents and tour operators will have information about visa requirements for trips they are booking.  The also may obtain the necessary visas for a fee.

 Travelers can get visas from embassies or consulates, or from local companies that specialize in this service.  Look in your telephone directory Yellow Pages under “Passport Services”. 

The State Department maintains a list of country visa requirements on its Web site at:
http://www.travel.state.gov/foreinentryeqs.html
 

Most travelers do not need travel insurance when taking trips that are classified as “domestic” or “familiar”, but it is a very good idea to consider buying travel insurance if you are going to take a cruise or buy a “tour” package which require substantial prepayments or substantial penalties for late cancellations.

Trip interruption or cancellation insurance typically covers your losses if a family medical emergency or certain other emergencies force you to cancel, postpone or cut short your trip.  Emergency medical policies cover emergency transport or medical care or both.  Insurance companies often offer “bundled” coverage that combines both types, along with provisions such as coverage for lost baggage.

Premiums for interruption or cancellation insurance are generally about $6-$8 per $100 of trip cost or about $120-$150 to cover a $2000 trip.

Many insurers, including Travel Guard International and Travel Assure, (two of the country’s largest travel insurance companies) do not offer stand-alone interruption or cancellation coverage.  Among the major companies that do are Travel Insurance Services and Travel Insured International.

Most major companies will cover most preexisting medical conditions if you buy the coverage within seven to fourteen days of making your first payment on the trip.  At Access America, for instance, travelers 74 years of age and younger can get preexisting conditions covered if they buy policies within 14 days of making their first payment on the trip.  At Travel Assure, the cutoff is 10 days, with no age limit.

Trip interruption or cancellation and bundled policies often include protection if your travel supplier (the tour operator, for instance) fails to deliver the service it sold you.  But, in many cases, you get that protection only if you decline the coverage offered by the supplier and , instead, buy a policy straight from an insurer.

At least two insurers, Globalcare Insurance Services and C.S.A. Travel Protection, set premiums higher for travelers 55 to 70 years of age.