The Many Uses for a Valid U.S. Passport
Although there are currently 310 million Americans that reside in this great nation of ours, millions of them do not own US passports. For some, its due to financial constraints while for others its due to a lack of understanding how valuable a current US passport can be. The first thought that comes to mind when one thinks of acquiring a US passport is travel, specifically international travel. Since June 2009, the law was enforced that required all US citizens who travel outside of the continental United States to have a valid US passport in order to leave and re-enter the country. This includes travel across the Canadian and Mexican borders by foot or car. So, what if you're not planning on traveling internationally, do you still need to obtain a US passport? The answer is yes! A US passport is the ideal form of identification for a variety of situations incluing:
- Domestic Travel - All airlines require that you show a current form of identification when boarding flights and a valid US passport is an excellent form of ID.
- Applying for a New Job - Most companies require that you produce a form of citizenship when hiring new employees and a valid US passport satisfies the citizenship status.
- Applying for a Student Loan - The Federal Stafford Loan application requires either proof of US citizenship, permanent US residence, or information that the student is an eligible non-citizen.
- Identification for a Child - Typically, kids don't get an ID until they are driving. However, airlines are starting to get picky about having documentation, especially for infants. An ID can also be useful for certain schools and other programs.
Once you have a valid US passport, it is good for 10 years and is renewable once it has expired. For children under 16, a passport is valid for 5 years. A current US passport is a worthwhile investment for all Americans.