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YOUR TRIP ABROAD

Before You Go

There is a lot you can do to prepare for your trip, depending upon
where, how long and why you are going.

LEARN ABOUT THE PLACES YOU WILL VISIT

Here are some good sources:

A travel agent can provide brochures and tourist information about
the countries you plan to visit.

Your travel agent should also be able to provide you with the Department
of State travel advisory for any country you plan to visit, if an
advisory has been issued for the country.  If your travel agent cannot
provide travel advisories, you can obtain them 24-hours a day by
calling [phone] (see page 4).

Look in your local bookstore and public library for books on foreign travel.

Many countries have tourist information offices in large cities that
can give you brochures and, in some cases, maps.  International airlines
may also supply you with travel brochures on the countries they serve.

Foreign embassies or consulates in the United States can provide
up-to-date information on their countries.  Addresses and telephone
numbers of the embassies of foreign governments are listed in the
Congressional Directory, available at most public libraries.  In
addition to their embassies, some countries also have consulates
in major U.S. cities.  Look for their addresses in your local telephone
directory, or find them in the publication, Foreign Consular Offices
in the United States, available in many public libraries.
Check on Travel Advisories

The Department of State issues travel advisories to alert U.S. citizens
to conditions overseas that may affect them adversely.  There are
three types of travel advisories:

Warning:  recommends deferral of travel to all or part of a country.

Caution:  advises about unusual security conditions, including the
potential for unexpected detention, unstable political conditions,
or serious health problems.  It is not intended to deter travel to a country.

Notice:  provides information on situations that do not present a
broad scale risk, but which could result in inconvenience or difficulty
for traveling Americans.

Travel advisories are posted at U.S. passport agencies, Department
of Commerce field offices, and at U.S. embassies and consulates around
the world.  They are distributed to the travel and airline industry
and can be found through airline computer reservation systems.  If
you plan travel to an area or country where there is some concern
about existing conditions, find out if there is a travel advisory
by contacting the nearest passport agency or your travel agent or
airline.  You may also listen to recorded travel advisories, 24-hours
a day.  Call the Department of State's Citizens Emergency Center
on 202-647-5225.

THINGS TO BE SURE YOU HAVE

Travel document requirements vary from country to country, but you
will need the following:  a passport or other proof of citizenship,
plus a visa or a tourist card.  You may also need evidence that you
have enough money for your trip and/or have ongoing or return transportation
tickets.

A VALID PASSPORT

WHO NEEDS A PASSPORT?

A U.S. citizen needs a passport to depart or enter the United States
and to enter and depart most foreign countries.  Exceptions include
short-term travel between the United States and Mexico, Canada, and
some countries in the Caribbean.  Your travel agent or airline can
tell you if you need a passport for the country you plan to visit.

WARNING!  Even if you are not required to have a passport to visit
a country, U.S. Immigration requires you to prove your U.S. citizenship
and identity when you reenter the United States.  Make certain that
you take with you adequate documentation to pass through U.S. Immigration
upon your return.  A U.S. passport is the best proof of U.S. citizenship.
Other documents to prove U.S. citizenship include an expired U.S.
passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate, a Certificate
of Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Report of Birth
Abroad of a Citizen of the United States.  To prove your identity,
either a valid driver's license or a government identification card
that includes a photo or a physical description is adequate.

With the number of international child custody cases on the rise,
several countries have instituted passport requirements to help prevent
child abductions.  For example, Mexico has a law that requires a
child traveling alone or with only one parent to carry written, notarized
consent from the absent parent or parents.  No authorization is needed
if the child travels alone and is in possession of a U.S. passport.
A child traveling alone with a birth certificate requires written,
notarized authorization from both parents.

Beware of a Passport That Is About to Expire!  Certain countries
will not permit you to enter and will not place a visa in your passport
if the remaining validity is less than 6 months.  If you return to
the United States with an expired passport, you are subject to a
passport waiver fee of $100, payable to U.S. Immigration at the port of entry.

All persons must have their own passport.  Since January 1981, family
members are not permitted to be included in each others' passports.

WHEN TO APPLY

Every year, demand for passports becomes heavy in January and begins
to decline in August.  You can help reduce U.S. Government expense
and avoid delays by applying between September and December.  However,
even in those months, periods of high demand for passports can occur.
Apply several months in advance of your planned departure, whenever
possible.  If you need visas, allow additional time+ approximately
two weeks per visa.

HOW TO APPLY IN PERSON

For your first passport, you must appear in person with a completed
Form DSP-11, Passport Application, at one of the 13 U.S. passport
agencies or at one of the several thousand federal or state courts
or U.S. post offices authorized to accept passport applications.
You may be able to find the addresses of passport acceptance facilities
in your area in the government listings of your telephone book.
If you cannot find a listing, contact one of the 13 U.S. passport
agencies listed on page 39 at the end of this pamphlet.

Applicants between age 13 and 18 must appear in person, accompanied
by a parent or legal guardian.  For children under age 13, a parent
or legal guardian may appear on their behalf.

If you have had a previous passport and wish to obtain another, you
may be eligible to apply by mail (see page 10 below for details).

WHAT TO BRING WHEN YOU APPLY

1.  A properly completed, but unsigned, passport application (DSP-11).
Do not sign it!

2.  Proof of U.S. citizenship (a, b, or c):

a.  Use your previously issued passport or one in which you were
included.  If you are applying for your first passport or cannot
submit a previous passport, you must submit other evidence of citizenship.

b.  If you were born in the United States, you should produce a certified
copy of your birth certificate.  This must show that the birth record
was filed shortly after birth and must be certified with the registrar's
signature and raised, impressed, embossed, or multicolored seal.
Certified copies of birth records can be obtained from the Bureau
of Vital Statistics in the city, state, county, or territory where
you were born.  (Notifications of Birth Registration or Birth Announcements
are not normally accepted for passport purposes.)  A delayed birth
certificate (one filed more than one year after the date of birth)
is acceptable provided it shows a plausible basis for creating this record.

If you cannot obtain a birth certificate, submit a notice from a
state registrar stating that no birth record exists, accompanied
by the best secondary evidence possible.  This may include a baptismal
certificate, a hospital birth record, affidavits of persons having
personal knowledge of the facts of your birth, or other documentary
evidence such as an early census, school records, family Bible records,
and newspaper files.  A personal knowledge affidavit should be supported
by at least one public record reflecting birth in the United States.

c.  If you were born abroad, you can use:

-- A Certificate of Naturalization.
-- A Certificate of Citizenship.
-- A Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of
   America (Form FS-240).
-- A Certification of Birth (Form FS-545 or DS-1350).

If you do not have any of these documents and are a U.S. citizen,
you should take all available proof of citizenship to the nearest
U.S. passport agency and request assistance in proving your citizenship.

3.  Proof of identity.

You must also establish your identity to the satisfaction of the
person accepting your application.  The following items are generally
acceptable documents of identity if they contain your signature and
if they readily identify you by physical description or
photograph:

-- A previous U.S. passport.
-- A certificate of naturalization or citizenship.
-- A valid driver's license.
-- A government (federal, state, municipal)
-- identification card.

The following are NOT acceptable:

-- Social Security card.
-- Learner's or temporary driver's license.
-- Credit card of any type.
-- Any temporary or expired identity card or document.
-- Any document that has been altered or changed in any manner.

If you are unable to present one of the first four documents to establish
your identity, you must be accompanied by a person who has known
you for at least 2 years and who is a U.S. citizen or a permanent
resident alien of the United States. That person must sign an affidavit
in the presence of the same person who executes the passport application.
The witness will be required to establish his or her own identity.
You must also submit some identification of your own.

4.  Photographs.

Present two identical photographs of yourself that are sufficiently
recent (normally taken within the past 6 months) to be a good likeness.
Passport Services encourages photographs where the applicant is
relaxed and smiling.

The photographs must not exceed 2x2 inches in size.  The image size
measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (including
hair) must be not less than 1 inch or more than 1-3/8 inches with
your head taking up most of the photograph.  Passport photographs
may be either black and white or color.

Photographs must be clear, front view, full-face, and printed on
thin white paper with a plain, white or off-white background.  Photographs
should be portrait-type prints taken in normal street attire without
a hat and must include no more than the head and shoulders or upper
torso.  Dark glasses are not acceptable except when worn for medical
reasons.  Head coverings are only acceptable if they are worn for
religious reasons.

Applicants may use photographs in military uniform only if they are
on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and are proceeding abroad
in the discharge of their duties.

Newspaper, magazine and most vending machine prints are not acceptable
for use in passports.

5.  The correct fee.

Applicants age 18 and over who are required to appear in person,
must pay $65 for their passport.  This includes a $10 execution fee.
Their passport is valid for 10 years.  Applicants under age 18 must
pay $40 for their passport.  It is valid for 5 years.

You may pay in person by check, bank draft, or money order.  You
may also pay in cash at a passport agency and at some, but not all
post offices and clerks of court.

HOW TO APPLY BY MAIL

You may apply by mail if all of the following are true:

-- You have been issued a passport within 12 years prior to your
   new application.
-- You are able to submit your most recent U.S. passport with your
   new application.
-- Your previous passport was issued on or after your 16th birthday.
-- You use the same name as that on your most recent passport or
   you have had your name
   changed by marriage or court order.

HOW TO PROCEED

Obtain Form DSP-82, Application for Passport by Mail, from one of
the offices accepting applications or from your travel agent, and
complete the information requested on the reverse side of the form.

(1)    Sign and date the application.
(2)    Include your date of departure.  If no date is included, passport
agents will assume that your travel plans are not immediate, and
your passport will be processed in about two to three weeks.
(3)    Enclose your previous passport.
(4)    Enclose two identical 2x2 photographs (Specifications listed
later in this file.).
(5)    The $55 passport fee.  (The $10 acceptance fee is not required
for applicants eligible to apply by mail.)
(6)    If your name has changed, submit the original or certified
copy of the court order or marriage certificate that shows the change of name.
(7)    For processing, mail the completed application and attachments
to one of the passport agencies listed at the back of this pamphlet.
An incomplete or improperly prepared application will delay issuance
of your passport.

HOW TO PAY THE PASSPORT FEE

The following forms of payment are acceptable when you apply by mail:

-- Bank draft or cashier's check.
-- Check:  either certified, personal, or travelers (for exact amount).
-- Money order:  U.S. postal, international, currency exchange, or bank.

Do NOT send cash through the mail!

WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR PASSPORT

Sign it right away!  Then fill in page 4, the personal notification
data page.  Your previous passport and the original documents that
you may have submitted will be returned to you with your new passport.

OTHER PASSPORT INFORMATION

OBTAINING A PASSPORT IN AN EMERGENCY

Passport agencies will expedite issuance in cases of genuine, documented
emergencies.  If you are leaving within five days and need a passport,
you can pay to have your passport delivered to you by express mail.
But you must arrange and pay for this in advance. Check with the
post office or court house that accepts your application or with
the nearest passport agency for specific details.

If you plan to travel abroad frequently or if you stay overseas for
long periods of time, your relatives or associates in the United
States should have valid passports as well.  That way, should you
become seriously ill or involved in some other emergency, they could
travel without delay.

DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORTS

If you are being assigned abroad on U.S. government business and
are eligible to apply by mail for a no-fee passport (no-fee regular,
official, diplomatic), you must submit the mail-in application form,
your authorization to apply for a no-fee passport, your previous
passport, and two photographs to the Passport Agency in Washington,
D.C. for processing.

ADDITIONAL VISA PAGES

If you require additional visa pages before your passport expires,
obtain them by submitting your passport to one of the passport agencies
listed at the back of this pamphlet.  If you travel frequently to
countries requiring visas, you may request a 48-page passport at
the time you apply.  There is no additional charge for extra pages
or for a 48-page passport.

CHANGE OF NAME

If you have changed your name, you will need to have your passport
amended.  Fill out Form DSP-19, Passport Amendment/Validation Application,
which is available from any office that is authorized to accept passport
applications.  Submit the DSP-19 along with proof of the name change
(a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or certified court order)
to the nearest passport agency.  There is no fee for this service.

AN ALTERED OR MUTILATED PASSPORT

If you mutilate or alter your U.S. passport in any way (other than
changing the personal notification data), you may render it invalid,
cause yourself much inconvenience, and expose yourself to possible
prosecution under the law (Section 1543 of Title 22 of the U.S. Code).

Mutilated or altered passports should be turned in to passport agents,
authorized postal employees, or U.S. consular officers abroad.

LOSS OR THEFT OF A U.S. PASSPORT

Safeguard your passport.  Its loss could cause you unnecessary travel
complications as well as significant expense.

If your passport is lost or stolen in the United States, report the
loss or theft immediately to Passport Services, 1425 K Street, N.W.,
Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20524 or to the nearest passport agency.
Should your passport be lost or stolen abroad, report the loss immediately
to the local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
If you can provide the consular officer with the information contained
in your passport, it will facilitate issuance of a new passport.
Therefore, photocopy the data page of your passport and keep it
in a separate place.  In addition, leave the passport number, date,
and place of issuance with a relative or friend in the United States.

OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT PASSPORTS?

Additional passport information may be obtained from the passport
agencies listed at the end of this pamphlet.

OBTAIN VISAS

A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed in your passport by a foreign
government that permits you to visit that country for a specified
purpose and a limited time+for example, a 3-month tourist visa.
It is advisable to obtain visas before you leave the United States
because you will not be able to obtain visas for some countries once
you have departed.  Apply directly to the embassy or nearest consulate
of each country you plan to visit, or consult a travel agent.  Passport
agencies cannot help you obtain visas.

"Foreign Entry Requirements"
Department of State publication M-264, Foreign Entry Requirements,
gives entry requirements for every country and tells where and how
to apply for visas and tourist cards.  It can be ordered for $0.50
from the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado 81009.  Note:
The publication is updated annually but may not reflect the most
current requirements.  It is advisable to verify the latest visa
requirements with the embassy or consulate of each country you plan to visit.

Because a visa is stamped directly onto a blank page in your passport,
you will need to give your passport to an official of each foreign
embassy or consulate.  You will also need to fill out a form, and
you may need one or more photographs.  Many visas require a fee.
The process may take several weeks for each visa, so apply well
in advance of your trip.

TOURIST CARD
If the country you plan to visit only requires a tourist card, obtain
one from the country's embassy or consulate, from an airline serving
the country, or at the port of entry.  There is a fee for some tourist cards.

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP
Check with the embassy or consulate of each country you plan to visit
to learn what proof of citizenship is required of visitors.  Even
if a country does not require a visitor to have a passport, it will
require some proof of citizenship and identity.  Remember that no
matter what proof of citizenship a foreign country requires, U.S.
Immigration has strict requirements for your reentry into the United
States.  Information on U.S. Immigration requirements are later in this file..

IMMUNIZATIONS

Under international health regulations adopted by the World Health
Organization, a country may require international certificates of
vaccination against yellow fever and cholera.  Typhoid vaccinations
are not required for international travel, but are recommended for
areas where there is risk of exposure.  Smallpox vaccinations are
no longer given.  Check your health care records to insure that your
measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
immunizations are up-to-date.  Medication to deter malaria and other
preventative measures are advisable for certain areas.  No immunizations
are needed to return to the United States.

Information on immunization requirements, U.S. Public Health Service
recommendations, and other health hints are included in the book,
Health Information for International Travel, available for $5.00
from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
You may also obtain such information from local and state health
departments or physicians.  This information is also available on
the Centers for Disease Control 24-hour hotline:  [phone].

It is not necessary to be vaccinated against a disease you will not
be exposed to and few countries refuse to admit you if you arrive
without the necessary vaccinations.  Officials will either vaccinate
you, give you a medical follow-up card, or, in rare circumstances,
put you in isolation for the incubation period of the disease you
were not vaccinated against.  Check requirements before you depart.

If vaccinations are required, they must be recorded on approved forms,
such as those in the booklet PHS-731, International Certificates
of Vaccination as Approved by the World Health Organization.  If
your doctor or public health office does not have this booklet, it
can be obtained for $2 from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 or Government
Printing Office bookstores.  Keep it with your passport.

Some countries require certification from long-term visitors that
they are free of the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV).  Generally,
this has little bearing on tourists and short-term visitors.  Check
with the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit for
the latest information.

HEALTH INSURANCE

For travelers who become seriously ill or injured overseas, obtaining
medical treatment and hospital care can be costly.  The Social Security
Medicare program does not cover hospital and medical services outside
the United States.  Before you leave the United States, learn what
medical services your health insurance will cover abroad.

If your health insurance policy does not cover you abroad, you are
urged to purchase a temporary health policy that does.  There are
short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed for
travelers.  You can find the names of such companies from your travel
agent, your health insurance company, or from advertisements in travel
publications.  In addition to health insurance, many policies include
trip cancellation, baggage loss, and travel accident insurance in
the same package.  Some travelers check companies have protection
policies available for those who purchase travelers checks.

MEDICAL EVACUATION
One of the chief advantages of health and emergency assistance policies
is that they often include coverage for medical evacuation to the
United States.  Medical evacuation can easily cost $5000 depending
upon your location and medical condition.  Even if your regular health
insurance covers you for emergencies abroad, consider purchasing
a supplemental insurance policy to cover medical evacuation.

Whichever health insurance coverage you choose for overseas, remember
to bring your policy identity card and claim forms with you.

HOW TO BRING MONEY

TRAVELERS CHECKS
Do not carry large amounts of cash.  Take most of your money in travelers
checks and remember to record the serial number, denomination and
the date and location of the issuing bank or agency.  Keep this information
in a safe and separate place so if you lose your travelers checks
you can get replacements quickly.

CREDIT CARDS
Some credit cards can be used worldwide, even for cash advances.
Keep track of your credit card purchases so as not to exceed your
limit.  Travelers have been arrested overseas for mistakenly exceeding
their credit limit!  Leave all unnecessary credit cards at home.
Record the numbers of the credit cards that you do bring and keep
the list in a separate place from the cards.

Always report the loss or theft of your credit cards or travelers
checks immediately to the companies and notify the local police.
If you will stay in one place for some time, consider opening an
account for check cashing and other transactions at a U.S. bank that
has an overseas affiliate.  U.S. embassies and consulates cannot
cash checks for you.

PREPARE FOR EMERGENCY FUNDS
Keep the telephone number for your bank in the United States with
you in the event you run out of cash and need to transfer money.
In some countries, major banks and certain travel agencies can help
you arrange a transfer of funds from your account to a foreign bank.
If you do not have a bank account from which you can obtain emergency
funds, make arrangements in advance with a relative or friend to
send you emergency funds should it become necessary.  If you find
yourself destitute, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate
for assistance in arranging a money wire transfer from a relative
or friend in the United States.

FOREIGN CURRENCY
Before departing, you may wish to purchase small amounts of foreign
currency to use for buses, taxis, phones, or tips when you first
arrive.  Foreign exchange facilities at airports may be closed when
your flight arrives.  You can purchase foreign currency at some U.S.
banks, at foreign exchange firms, or at foreign exchange windows
or even vending machines at many international airports in the United States.

Some countries regulate the amount of local currency you can bring
into or take out of the country; others require that you exchange
a minimum amount of currency.  For currency regulations, check with
a bank, foreign exchange firm, your travel agent, or the embassy
or consulate of the countries you plan to visit.

If you leave or enter the United States with more than $10,000 in
monetary instruments of any kind, you must file a report, Customs
Form 4790, with U.S. Customs at the time.  Failure to comply can
result in civil and criminal proceedings.

VALUABLES+DON'T BRING THEM!
Do not bring anything on your trip that you would hate to lose such
as expensive jewelry, family photographs, or objects of sentimental
value.  If you bring jewelry, wear it discreetly to help avoid grab-and-run
robbery.

OTHER THINGS TO ARRANGE AHEAD

LODGING

RESERVE IN ADVANCE
Many travelers wait until they reach their destination before making
hotel reservations.  Some train stations and airports have travel
desks to assist you in finding lodging.  However, when you arrive,
you may be tired and unfamiliar with your surroundings, and could
have difficulty locating a hotel to meet your needs.  Therefore,
when possible, reserve your lodging in advance and reconfirm your
reservations along the way.  During peak tourist season, it is important
have a hotel reservation for at least the first night you arrive
in a foreign city.

An alternative to hotels and pensions is the youth hostel system,
offering travelers of all ages clean, inexpensive, overnight accommodations
in more than 6,000 locations in over 70 countries worldwide.  Hostels
provide dormitory-style accommodations with separate facilities for
males and females.  Some hostels have family rooms that can be reserved
in advance.  Curfews are often imposed and membership is often required.
You may write to:  American Youth Hostels,
P.O. Box 37613, Washington, D.C. 20013-7613.

ORGANIZED PROGRAMS
The majority of private programs for vacation, study, or work abroad
are reputable and financially sound.  However, some charge exorbitant
fees, use deliberately false "educational" claims, and provide working
conditions far different from those advertised.  Even programs of
legitimate organizations can be poorly administered.  Be cautious.
Before committing yourself or your finances, find out about the
organization and what it offers.

STUDENT TRAVELERS
Students can save money on transportation and accommodations, and
obtain other discounts if they have an International Student Identity
Card.  This card is available with proof of student status and a
small fee from:  Council on International Educational Exchange; 205
East 42nd Street; New York, New York 10017.  Membership also provides
some accident and health insurance while abroad.

TRANSPORTATION

At the time of publication, U.S. citizens traveling abroad are required
to pay a $12 federal inspection fee and a $6 federal departure tax
that are included in the price of the air ticket.

CHARTER FLIGHTS AND AIRLINES
There have been occasions when airlines or companies that sell charter
flights or tour packages have gone out of business with little warning,
stranding passengers overseas.  If you know from the media or from
your travel agent that an airline is in financial difficulty, ask
your travel agent or the airline what recourse you would have if
the airline ceased to operate. Some airlines may honor the tickets
of a defunct airline, but they usually do so with restrictions.

Before you purchase a charter flight or tour package, read the contract
carefully.  Unless it guarantees they will deliver services promised
or give a full refund, consider purchasing trip insurance.  If you
are unsure of the reputation of a charter company or tour operator,
consult your local Better Business Bureau or the American Society
of Travel Agents at 1101 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, Tel.
(703)  739-2782, to learn if the company has a complaint record .

DRIVER'S LICENSE/AUTO INSURANCE

If you intend to drive overseas, check with the embassy or consulate
of the countries you will visit to learn their driver's license,
road permit, and auto insurance requirements.  If possible, obtain
road maps before you go.

Many countries do not recognize a U.S. driver's license.  Most, however,
accept an international driver's permit.  Before departure, obtain
one at a local office of an automobile association.  You must be
at least age 18, and you will need two passport-size photographs
and your valid U.S. license.  Certain countries require road permits
instead of tolls to use their divided highways and will fine drivers
without a permit.

Car rental agencies overseas usually provide auto insurance, but
in some countries, the required coverage is minimal.  A good rule
of thumb when renting a car overseas is to purchase insurance coverage
that is at least equivalent to that which you carry at home.

In general, your U.S. auto insurance does not cover you abroad.
However, your policy may apply when you drive to countries that neighbor
the United States.  Check with your insurer to see if your policy
covers you in Canada, Mexico, or countries south of Mexico.   Even
if your policy is valid in one of these countries, it may not meet
its minimum requirements.  For instance, in most of Canada, you must
carry at least $200,000 in liability insurance, and Mexico requires
that if vehicles do not carry theft, third party liability, and comprehensive
insurance, the owner must post a bond that could be as high as 50%
of the value of the vehicle.  If you are under-insured for a country,
auto insurance can usually be purchased on either side of the border.

U.S. CUSTOMS PRE-REGISTRATION

Learn about U.S. Customs regulations.  Foreign-made personal articles
taken abroad are subject to duty and tax unless you have proof of
prior possession such as a receipt, bill of sale, an  insurance policy,
or a jeweler's appraisal.  If you do not have proof of prior possession,
items such as foreign-made watches, cameras, or tape recorders that
can be identified by serial number or permanent markings may be taken
to the Customs office nearest you or at the port of departure for
registration before departing the United States.  The certificate
of registration provided can expedite free entry of these items when
you return.

DOCUMENTATION FOR MEDICATIONS

If you go abroad with preexisting medical problems, carry a letter
from you doctor describing your condition, including information
on any prescription medicines you must take.  You should also have
the generic names of the drugs.  Leave medicines in their original,
labeled containers.  These precautions make customs processing easier.
A doctor's certificate, however, may not suffice as authorization
to transport all prescription drugs to all foreign countries.  Travelers
have innocently been arrested for drug violations when carrying items
not considered to be narcotics in the United States.  To ensure you
do not violate the drug laws of the countries you visit, consult
the embassy or consulate of those countries for precise information
before leaving the United States.

If you have allergies, reactions to certain medicines, or other unique
medical problems, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying
a similar warning.

Several private organizations provide listings of physicians to international
travelers.  Membership in these organizations is generally free,
although a donation may be requested.  Membership entitles the traveler
to a number of traveler's medical aids, including a directory of
physicians with their overseas locations, telephone numbers and doctors'
fee schedules.  The physicians are generally English-speaking and
provide medical assistance 24 hours a day.  The addresses of these
medical organizations are in travel magazines or may be available
from your travel agent.

PLACES TO RECEIVE MAIL

If you are traveling for an extended period, you may want to arrange
to pick up mail or messages.  Some banks and international credit
card companies handle mail for customers at their overseas branches.
General Delivery (Poste Restante) services at post offices in most
countries will hold mail for you.  U.S. embassies and consulates
do not handle private mail.

LEARN ABOUT DUAL NATIONALITY

Whether you are a U.S. citizen from birth or were naturalized as
a U.S. citizen, a foreign country may claim you as its citizen if:

-- You were born there.
-- Your parent is or was a citizen of that country.
-- You are married to a citizen of that country.

If any of the possibilities for dual nationality applies to you,
check on your status (including military obligations) with the embassy
or consulate of the country that might claim you as a citizen.  In
particular, Americans may have problems with dual nationality in
certain countries in the Middle East, in South America, and in Africa.
Some foreign countries refuse to recognize a dual national's U.S.
citizenship and do not allow U.S. officials access to arrested Americans.

SOME THINGS TO LEAVE BEHIND

YOUR ITINERARY+LEAVE A PAPER TRAIL

Leave a detailed itinerary (with names, addresses, and phone numbers
of persons and places to be visited) with relatives or friends in
the United States so you can be reached in an emergency.  Also include
a photocopy of your passport information page.

OTHER IMPORTANT NUMBERS

It is a good idea to make a list of all important numbers+your passport
information as well as your credit card, travelers checks, and airline
ticket numbers.  Leave a copy at home and carry a copy with you,
separate from your valuables.

WHILE YOU ARE OVERSEAS

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE UNEXPECTED

If you change your travel plans, miss your return flight, or extend
your trip, be sure to notify relatives or friends back home.  Should
you find yourself in an area of civil unrest or natural disaster,
let them know as soon as you can that you are safe.  In addition,
contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to register your presence
and to keep the U.S. consul informed of your whereabouts.

SAFETY TIPS

PROTECT YOUR PASSPORT

Your passport is the most valuable document you will carry abroad.
It confirms your U.S. citizenship.  Guard it carefully.  Do not
use it as collateral for a loan or lend it to anyone.  It is your
best form of identification.  You will need it when you pick up mail
or check into hotels, embassies or consulates.

When entering some countries or registering at hotels, you may be
asked to fill out a police card listing your name, passport number,
destination, local address, and reason for traveling.  You may be
required to leave your passport at the hotel reception desk overnight
so it may be checked by local police officials.  These are normal
procedures required by local laws.  If your passport is not returned
the following morning, immediately report the impoundment to local
police authorities and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

PASSPORT FRAUD
Law enforcement records show that U.S. passports are sometimes used
for illegal entry into the United States or by criminals abroad seeking
to establish another identity.  This can cause embarrassment to innocent
citizens whose names become associated with illegal activities.
To protect the integrity of the U.S. passport and the security of
the person bearing it, consular officers overseas have found it necessary
to take precautions in processing lost passport cases.  These precautions
may involve some delay before a new passport is issued.

SAFEGUARD YOUR PASSPORT
Carelessness is the main cause for losing a passport or having it
stolen.  You may find that you have to carry your passport with you
because either you need to show it when you cash travelers checks
or the country you are in requires you to carry it as an identity
document.  When you must carry your passport, hide it securely on
your person.  Do not leave it in a handbag or an exposed pocket.
Whenever possible, leave your passport in the hotel safe, not in
an empty hotel room or packed in your luggage.  One family member
should not carry all the passports for the entire family.

GUARD AGAINST THIEVES

Coat pockets, handbags, and hip pockets are particularly susceptible
to theft.  Thieves will use all kinds of ploys to divert your attention
just long enough to pick your pocket and grab your purse or wallet.
These ploys include creating a disturbance, spilling something on
your clothing, or even handing you a baby to hold!

Prevent theft by carrying your belongings in a secure manner.  Consider
not carrying a purse or wallet when going on crowded streets.  Women
who carry a shoulder bag should keep it tucked under the arm and
held securely by the strap.  Men should put their wallets in their
front trouser pockets or use money belts instead of hip pockets.
A wallet wrapped in rubber bands is more difficult to remove undetected.
Be especially cautious in a large crowd+in the subway, marketplace,
at a festival, or if surrounded by groups of vagrant children.  Do
not make it easy for thieves!

FINANCIAL AND SHOPPING TIPS

CURRENCY

Local banks usually offer better rates of exchange than hotels, restaurants,
or stores.  Rates are often posted in windows.  Above all, avoid
private currency transactions.  In some countries, you risk more
than being swindled or stuck with counterfeit currency+you risk arrest.
Avoid the black market+learn and obey the local currency laws wherever
you go.

SHOPPING

MAIL SMALL ITEMS
When you purchase small items, it is a good idea to mail them personally
to your home or to carry them in your luggage.  This will help prevent
misdirected packages, nonreceipt of merchandise, or receipt of wrong
merchandise.  When you mail purchases, be sure to ask about insurance.

American embassies and consulates abroad cannot serve as post offices.
They cannot accept, hold, or forward mail for U.S. citizens abroad.

THE VALUE ADDED TAX
Some European countries levy a value added tax (VAT) on the items
you buy.  In some places, if you ship your purchases home, the VAT
can be waived.  Other places may require you to pay the VAT, but
have a system to refund it to you by mail.  Ask the store clerk for
an application to apply for the refund.  The VAT refund is only for
items you can ship or carry with you.  It does not apply to food,
hotel bills, or other services.  Because the rules for VAT refunds
vary from country to country, check with the country's tourist office
to learn the local requirements.

THINGS TO BEWARE OF PURCHASING

WILDLIFE SOUVENIRS
Be careful when you buy articles made from animals and plants or
purchase live wild animals to bring back as pets.  Some items, such
as those made from elephant ivory, sea turtles, crocodile leather,
or fur from endangered cats, and many species of live animals cannot
be brought into the United States legally.  Your wildlife souvenirs
could be confiscated by government inspectors, and you could face
other penalties for attempting to bring them into the United States.
Do not buy wildlife or wildlife products unless you are certain
they are legal for import into the United States.  More information
follows later.

GLAZED CERAMICS
Beware of purchasing glazed ceramic ware abroad.  It is possible
to suffer lead poisoning if you consume food or beverages that are
stored or served in improperly glazed ceramics.  Unless the ceramics
are made by a firm with an international reputation, there is no
immediate way to be certain a particular item is safe.  The U.S.
Food and Drug Administration recommends that ceramic tableware purchased
abroad be tested for lead release by a commercial laboratory on your
return or be used for decorative purposes only.  More information
later on in this file.

ANTIQUES
Some countries consider antiques to be national treasures and the
"inalienable property of the nation."  In some countries, customs
authorities seize illegally purchased antiques without compensation
and may also levy fines on the purchaser.  Americans have been arrested
and prosecuted for purchasing antiques.  Americans have even been
arrested for purchasing reproductions of antiques from street vendors
because a local authority believed the purchase was a national treasure.

Protect yourself.  In countries where antiques are important, document
your purchases as reproductions if that is the case, or if they are
authentic, secure the necessary export permit.  The documentation
or export permit may be available through the country's national
museum.  A reputable dealer may provide the export permit or information
on how to secure one.

If you have questions about purchasing antiques, the country's tourist
office can guide you.  If you still have doubts, consult the Consular
Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  In places where
Americans have had problems because of purchasing antiques, the Consular
Section is well aware of the situation.  They can tell you about
the local laws and the correct procedures to follow.

CUSTOMS

Keep all receipts for items you buy overseas.  They will be helpful
in making your U.S. Customs declaration when you return.

LEGAL TIPS

OBEY FOREIGN LAWS

When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws.
Learn about local laws and regulations and obey them.  Avoid areas
of unrest and disturbance.  Deal only with authorized outlets when
exchanging money or buying airline tickets and travelers checks.
Do not deliver a package for anyone unless you know the person well
and are certain the package does not contain drugs or other contraband.

Before you sell personal effects, such as clothing, cameras, or jewelry,
learn the local regulations regarding such sales.  Adhere strictly
to local laws because the penalties you risk are severe.

Some countries are particularly sensitive about photographs.  In
general, refrain from photographing police and military installations
and personnel; industrial structures including harbor, rail, and
airport facilities; border areas; and scenes of civil disorder or
other public disturbance.  Taking such photographs may result in
your detention, in the confiscation of your camera and films, and
the imposition of fines.  For information on photography restrictions,
check with the country's tourist office or its embassy or consulate
in the United States.  Once abroad, check with local authorities
or at the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

DRUG ARRESTS

About 3000 Americans are arrested abroad each year.  Of these, approximately
one-third are held on drug charges.  Despite repeated warnings, drug
arrests and convictions are still a common occurrence.  Many countries
have stiff penalties for drug violations and strictly enforce drug
laws.  You are subject to foreign, not U.S. laws overseas, and you
will find, if arrested, that:

-- Few countries provide a jury trial.
-- Most countries do not accept bail.
-- Pretrial detention, often in solitary confinement, may last months.
-- Prisons may lack even minimal comforts+bed, toilet, wash basin.
-- Diets are often inadequate and require supplements from relatives
and friends.
-- Officials may not speak English.
-- Physical abuse, confiscation of personal property, degrading or
inhumane treatment, and     extortion are possible.

If you are convicted, you face a possible sentence of:

-- 2-10 years in many countries.
-- A minimum of 6 years hard labor and a stiff fine in some countries.
-- The death penalty in some countries.

Do not get involved with illegal drugs overseas.  It can spoil more
than your vacation.  It can ruin your life!

LEGAL AID

Because you are subject to local laws abroad, there is little that
a U.S. consul can do for you if you encounter legal difficulties.
For example, a consular officer cannot get you out of jail.  What
American officials can do is limited by both foreign and U.S. laws.
The U.S. Government has neither funds nor authority to pay your
legal fees or related expenses.

Although U.S. consular officers cannot serve as attorneys or give
legal advice, they can provide a list of local attorneys and help
you find adequate legal representation.  The lists of attorneys are
carefully compiled from local bar association lists and responses
to questionnaires, but neither the Department of State nor U.S. embassies
or consulates abroad can assume responsibility for the caliber, competence,
or professional integrity of the attorneys.

If you are arrested, ask the authorities to notify a consular officer
at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  Under international agreements
and practice, you have the right to talk to the U.S. consul.  If
you are denied this right, be persistent and try to have someone
get in touch for you.

When alerted, U.S. officials will visit you, advise you of your rights
according to local laws, and contact your family and friends if you
wish.  They will do whatever they can to protect your legitimate
interests and to ensure you are not discriminated against under local
law.  Consuls can transfer money, food, and clothing to the prison
authorities from your family or friends.  They will try to get relief
if you are held under inhumane or unhealthy conditions or treated
less favorably than others in the same situation.

HELP FROM AMERICAN CONSULS ABROAD

WHEN TO REGISTER WITH THE U.S. EMBASSY

REGISTER AT THE CONSULAR SECTION OF THE NEAREST U.S. EMBASSY OR CONSULATE:

+If you find yourself in a country or area that is experiencing civil
unrest, has an unstable political climate, or is undergoing a natural
disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane.

+If you plan to go to a country where there are no U.S. officials.
In such cases, register in an adjacent country, leave an itinerary,
and ask about conditions in the country you will visit and what third
country may represent U.S. interests there.

+If you plan to stay in a country for longer than one month.

Registration makes your presence and whereabouts known in case it
is necessary for a consular employee to contact you in an emergency.
During a disaster overseas, American consular officers offer assistance
to Americans and can even assist in evacuation when that becomes
necessary.  But they cannot assist you if they do not know where
your are.  Registration also makes it easier to apply for a replacement
passport if yours is lost or stolen.

If you are traveling with an escorted tour to areas experiencing
political uncertainty or other problems, find out if registration
is being done for you by your tour operator.  If it is not, or if
you are traveling on your own, leave a copy of your itinerary at
the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate soon after arrival.

WHAT U.S. CONSULS CAN DO

U.S. consular officers are located at U.S. embassies and consulates
in most countries overseas.  They are available to advise and help
you if you are in any serious trouble.

DESTITUTION
If you become destitute abroad, the U.S. consul can help you get
in touch with your family, friends, bank, or employer and tell you
how to arrange for them to send funds for you.  These funds can sometimes
be wired to you through the Department of State.

IF ILL OR INJURED
Should you become ill while abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate for a list of local doctors, dentists, medical specialists,
clinics and hospitals.  If your illness or injury is serious, the
consul can help you find medical assistance from that list and, at
your request, will inform your family or friends of your condition.
If necessary, a consul can assist in the transfer of funds from
the United States.  Payment of hospital and other expenses is your
responsibility.  Consular officers cannot supply you with medication.

In an emergency when you are unable to communicate, the consul will
check your passport for the name and address of any relative, friend,
or legal representative whom you wish to have notified.  Because
the U.S. Government cannot pay for medical evacuations, it is advisable
to have private medical insurance to cover this.

MARRIAGE ABROAD
U.S. diplomatic and consular officials do not have the authority
to perform marriages overseas.  Marriage abroad must be performed
in accordance with local law.  There are always documentary requirements,
and in some countries, there is a lengthy residence requirement before
a marriage may take place.

Before traveling, ask the embassy or consulate of the country in
which you plan to marry about their regulations and how to prepare
to marry abroad.  Once abroad, the Consular Section of the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate may be able to answer some of your questions,
but it is your responsibility to deal with local civil authorities.

BIRTH ABROAD
A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents generally
acquires U.S. citizenship at birth.  The U.S. parent or parents should
contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to have a Report of
Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America prepared.
This document serves as proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship
and is acceptable evidence for obtaining a U.S. passport and for
most other purposes where one must show a birth certificate or proof
of citizenship.

ADOPTION ABROAD
The Department of State and its embassies and consulates abroad have
become increasingly concerned about international adoptions because
of an increase in illegal activities by some intermediaries and adoption
agencies.  Illegal adoption practices can cause great difficulty,
financial strain, and emotional upheaval for adopting parents.  If
you are a prospective adopting parent, beware of any agency or attorney
claiming to be able to streamline established procedures.  Because
of irregular activities, foreign governments sometimes determine
that an adoption in process is illegal and refuse to finalize the adoption.

For more information, you may write for a free pamphlet, International
Adoptions.  Send a self-addressed, triple-stamped 9"x12" envelope
to:  Citizens Consular Services (CA/OCS/CCS), Room 4817, Department
of State, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818.  If you are planning to adopt
from a particular country, mention that in your request, because
Citizens Consular Services has specific information on the adoption
process in certain countries.

DEATH ABROAD
When a U.S. citizen dies abroad, the consular officer reports the
death to the next of kin or legal representative and arranges to
obtain from them the necessary private funds for local burial or
return of the body to the United States.  Before you begin your trip,
complete the address page in the front of your passport.  Provide
the name, address and telephone number of someone to be contacted
in an emergency.  Do not give the names of your traveling companions
in case the entire party is involved in the same accident.

Because the U.S. Government cannot pay for local burial or shipment
of remains to the United States, it is worthwhile to have insurance
to cover this.  Following a death, a Report of the Death of An American
Citizen (Optional Form 180) is prepared by the consular officer to
provide the facts concerning the death and the custody of the personal
estate of the deceased.  Under certain circumstances, a consular
officer becomes the provisional conservator of a deceased American's
estate and arranges for the disposition of those effects.

A VARIETY OF NONEMERGENCY SERVICES
Consular employees provide nonemergency services as well.  These
include information on Selective Service registration, travel advisories,
absentee voting, and the acquisition or loss of U.S. citizenship.
They arrange for the transfer of Social Security and other federal
benefits to beneficiaries residing abroad, provide U.S. tax forms,
and notarize documents.  Consuls can also provide information on
how to obtain foreign public documents.

WHAT U.S. CONSULS CANNOT DO

Consular officers will do their best to assist U.S nationals abroad.
However, they must devote priority time and energies to those Americans
who find themselves in the most serious legal, medical, or financial
difficulties.

Because of limited resources, consuls cannot provide routine or commercial-type
services.  They cannot act as travel agents, information bureaus,
banks, or law enforcement officers.  U.S. federal law forbids a consular
officer from acting as your lawyer.  Consular officers cannot:  find
you employment; get you visas, residence permits or driving permits;
act as interpreters; search for missing luggage; call your credit
card company or bank; replace stolen travelers checks; or settle
disputes with hotel managers.  They can, how-ever, tell you how to
get assistance on these and other matters.

WHEN YOU RETURN

RETURN TRANSPORTATION

Reconfirm your return reservation at least 72 hours before departure.
Whenever possible, obtain a written confirmation.  If you do it
by phone, record the time, day, and the agent's name who took the
call.  If your name does not appear on the reservations list, you
have no recourse and may find yourself stranded.

DEPARTURE TAX

Some countries levy an airport departure tax on travelers that can
be as high as $50.  Ask the airline or a travel agent about this.
Make certain to have enough money at the end of your trip to be
able to get on the plane.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS

If a passport was required for your trip, have it ready when you
go through Immigration and Customs.  If you took other documents
with you, such as an International Certificate of Vaccination, a
medical letter, or a Customs certificate of registration for foreign-made
personal articles, have them ready also.  Have your receipts handy
in case you need to support your customs declaration.  When returning
to the United States by car from Mexico or Canada, have your certificate
of vehicle registration handy.  It is a good idea to pack your baggage
in a way to make inspection easier.  For example, pack the articles
you acquired abroad separately.

U.S. Customs currently allows each U.S. citizen to bring back $400
worth of merchandise duty free, provided the traveler has been outside
the United States for at least 48 hours, has not already used this
exemption within 30 days, and provided the traveler can present the
purchases upon his or her arrival at the port of entry.  The next
$1000 worth of items brought back for personal use or gifts is subject
to duty at a flat rate of 10%.

There are two groups of destinations from which the duty-free exemption
is higher.  These are a group of 24 countries and dependencies in
the Caribbean and Central America from which the exemption is $600
and a group of U.S. insular possessions (the U.S. Virgin Islands,
American Samoa, and Guam) from which the exemption is $1,200.  For
details, consult your travel agent or the U.S. Customs Service publication,
Know Before You Go, listed directly below.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

CUSTOMS

Know Before You Go, Customs Hints for Returning U.S. Residents contains
information on key U.S. Customs regulations and procedures, including
duty rates.  Single copies are free from any local Customs office
or write:  U.S. Customs Service, P.O. Box 7407, Washington, D.C. 20044.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Travelers Tips on Bringing Food, Plant, and Animal Products Into
the United States lists entry requirements for these items from most
parts of the world.  Fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, potted plants,
pet birds, and other items are prohibited or restricted from entry
into the United States.  The publication is available from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 613 Federal Bldg., 6505 Belcrest Road,
Hyattsville, MD 20782.

WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE PRODUCTS

Buyer Beware!  provides general guidelines governing restrictions
on imports of wildlife and wildlife products into the United States.
For a free copy, write to the Publications Unit, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.  Additional
information on importing wildlife and wildlife products can be obtained
through
TRAFFIC USA, World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20037.

GLAZED CERAMIC PURCHASES

The article, An Unwanted Souvenir, Lead in Ceramic Ware, explains
the danger of lead poisoning from some glazed ceramic ware sold abroad.
For a free copy, write:  U.S. Food and Drug Administration, HFI-40,
Rockville, MD.  20857.

U.S. EMBASSY ADDRESSES

Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts gives the names of key officers
and the addresses for all U.S. embassies, consulates, and missions
abroad.  This publication is updated three times a year.  The single
copy price is $1.75.  To obtain a copy, write to:

    Superintendent of Documents
    U.S. Government Printing Office
    Washington, D.C. 20402.

You may also order by telephone: [phone].

OLDER AMERICANS

Travel Tips for Older Americans  provides information on passports,
visas, health, currency, and suggestions for older Americans planning
a trip abroad.  Copies are available for $1 from the U.S. Government
Printing Office (address above).

SAFE TRAVEL

A Safe Trip Abroad  contains helpful precautions to minimize the
chance of becoming a victim of terrorism and also provides other
safety tips.  To obtain a copy for $1, write to the U.S. Government
Printing Office.

FOREIGN COUNTRY INFORMATION

Background Notes are brief, factual pamphlets, one for each country
of the world and some for selected international organizations.
The approximately 170 Notes contain information on each country's
people, culture, geography, history, government, economy, and political
conditions.  Background Notes also include a reading list, travel
notes, and maps.  Single copies are available for $1 from the U.S.
Government Printing Office.

Tips for Travelers  pamphlets provide advice prepared by the Bureau
of Consular Affairs on travel to specific areas of the world.  Depending
on the region discussed, a Tips pamphlet will cover such topics as
currency and customs regulations, entry requirements, dual nationality,
import and export controls, vaccination requirements, restrictions
on use of photography, and warnings on the use of drugs.  Single
copies of the following Tips pamphlets are for sale for $l from the
U.S. Government Printing Office.

-- Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean
-- Tips for Travelers to Central and South America
-- Tips for Travelers to Eastern Europe
-- Tips for Travelers to Mexico
-- Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa
-- Tips for Travelers to the People's Republic of China
-- Tips for Travelers to South Asia
-- Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa
-- Tips for Travelers to the USSR.

BROCHURES ON CONSULAR SERVICES
FOR AMERICANS ABROAD

Single copies of the following brochures can be obtained free by
sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) to:  CA/PA, Room
5807; Department of State; Washington, D.C. 20520-4818.

Crisis Abroad+What the State Department Does  summarizes the work
of the State Department during a crisis.  For example, for concerned
relatives and friends in the U.S., the Department attempts to obtain
information from local authorities abroad about Americans located
in the disaster area.

The Citizens Emergency Center gives information about the assistance
the Center provides to American citizens in four major categories:
deaths, arrests, welfare/whereabouts inquiries, and financial/medical
emergencies.

US Consuls Help Americans Abroad  explains the emergency and nonemergency
services that consular officers abroad provide to U.S. citizens.

OTHER INFORMATION SHEETS ON CONSULAR MATTERS

The Department of State has information on other subjects of interest
to traveling Americans.  Single copies of the following information
sheets are free.  Please send a SASE to:  CA/OCS/CCS, Room 4817;
Department of State; Washington, D.C.  20520-4818.  Ask for any of
the following:

+  Dual Nationality (U.S./Other)
+  Loss of U.S. Citizenship
+  Marriage Abroad
+  Foreign Military Service
+  Claims to Inheritance Abroad
+  Estates Abroad
+  Tourist and Trade Complaints.

PASSPORT AGENCIES

Apply Early For Your Passport!

Boston Passport Agency
Thomas P. O'Neill Fed. Bldg., Room 247
10 Causeway Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02222
*Recording: 617-565-6698
Public Inquiries: 617-565-6990

Chicago Passport Agency
Suite 380, Kluczynski Federal Bldg.
230 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1564
*Recording: 312-353-5426
Public Inquiries: 312-353-7155 or 7163

Honolulu Passport Agency
Room C-106, New Federal Bldg.
300 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
*Recording: 808-541-1919
Public Inquiries: 808-541-1918

Houston Passport Agency
Suite 1100, Mickey Leland Fed. Bldg.
1919 Smith Street
Houston, Texas  77002
*Recording: 713-653-3159
Public Inquiries: 713-653-3153

Los Angeles Passport Agency
Room 13100, 11000 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90024-3614
*Recording: 310-575-7070
Public Inquiries: 310-575-7075

Miami Passport Agency
3rd Floor, Federal Office Bldg.
51 Southwest First Avenue
Miami, Florida 33130-1680
*Recording: 305-536-5395 (English)
305-536-4448 (Spanish)
Public Inquiries: 305-536-4681

New Orleans Passport Agency
Postal Services Building
701 Loyola Avenue, Rm. T-12005
New Orleans, Louisiana 70013-1931
*Recording: 504-589-6728
Public Inquiries: 504-589-6161

New York Passport Agency
Room 270, Rockefeller Center
630 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10111-0031
*Recording: 212-541-7700
Public Inquiries: 212-541-7710

Philadelphia Passport Agency
Room 4426, Federal Bldg.
600 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106-1684
*Recording: 215-597-7482
Public Inquiries: 215-597-7480

San Francisco Passport Agency
Suite 200, Tishman Speyer Bldg.
525 Market Street
San Francisco, California 94105-2773
*Recording: 415-744-4444
Public Inquiries: 415-744-4010

Seattle Passport Agency
Room 992, Federal Office Bldg.
915 Second Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98174-1091
*Recording: 206-553-7941
Public Inquiries: 206-553-7945

Stamford Passport Agency
One Landmark Square
Broad and Atlantic Streets
Stamford, Connecticut 06901-2767
*Recording: 203-325-4401
Public Inquiries: 203-325-3538, 3530

Washington Passport Agency
1425 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20524-0002
*Recording: 202-647-0518
Public Inquiries: 202-326-6020

*Twenty-four hour recording includes general passport information,
passport agency location, hours of operation, and information regarding
emergency passport services during non-working hours.


United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs