If you plan to travel outside the United States, be sure to check your passport long before your trip. Routine processing times for passport services are 4-6 weeks (expedited services take approximately 2-3 weeks).

Renew Your Passport - Check your passport’s expiration date. If your passport expires before you plan to return to the United States, then you’ll need to get a new passport before you leave the U.S.

Apply for a Passport - If you are eligible for a U.S. passport and plan to travel abroad, get application instructions.

Change or Correct Your Passport - If you need to makes changes or corrections (due to a name change, for example) or add visa pages to your passport, see which forms you need to submit.

Report Your Lost or Stolen Passport - If your passport has been lost or stolen, report it as soon as you can. Call 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793) in the U.S., or contact the nearest U.S. embassy if you’re overseas. 

Get Additional U.S. Passport Services - Look up passport fees, get the status of your passport application, find information about photo requirements, and more.

From the State Department:

Globe in a Chicago Classroom

Many people are interested in foreign affairs, but don’t know how they can be involved.  You don’t have to be a diplomat to get started.  Here are ten ways you, as a U.S. citizen, can engage on international issues. MORE

Update 4/23: TSA has delayed the implementation of the new rule to allow people to carry small knives on planes. 

Starting April 25, the Transportation Security Administration will allow airline passengers to carry several previously banned items in their carry-on bags.

These items include

• Small knives
• Novelty-sized and toy bats
• Billiard cues
• Ski poles
• Hockey sticks
• Lacrosse sticks
• Two golf clubs

To be permitted in a carry-on bag, knives must have blades that are shorter than 2.36 inches (6 cm) in length and are less than half an inch wide. Knives with locking blades or fixed grips and razors and box cutters are still not permitted and must be stored in a checked bag. Learn more about what knives can be carried on planes. 

In order to be carried on, bats must weigh less than 24 ounces. Full-size baseball, softball and cricket bats are still prohibited in carry-on luggage and must be checked. Learn more about sports equipment carry-on requirements. 

The changes were put in place to allow TSA agents to focus on finding items that pose a larger threat, such as explosives.

If you’re unsure if your knife or sports equipment meets the carry-on requirements, the TSA recommends that you store the item in a checked bag and encourages you to check with your airline for any additional restrictions.

You can apply for a passport or renew one without an appointment. Find a local office.

Are you planning an international trip soon? Learn more about entry and exit requirements and travel alerts.