Question: As a US citizen, how do I obtain a passport?

Answer: You can obtain the application form from major U.S. Post offices in Columbus such as the Main Post Office downtown, Upper Arlington Post Office, Bexley Post Office and Dublin Post Office. Other US Post office may have them but it might a good idea to call in advance. You can also get the Passport application on the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs web site.

You will need to complete the application and take it to the U. S. designated Post Office with two passport size photos and they will collect a fee after you show your birth certificate and then submit the passport to the US Government entity for issuance. Normally, the process takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Previous to September 11th, you could obtain an emergency US Passport on very short notice by contacting your US Congress representative but we understand that has now changed and it will take at least one week. Passports on currently issued for a 10-year period and are around $60 total. There are commercial entities that will assist in expediting your passport for a fee and are normally available if you use a search engine and enter US Passport and select the options.

Question: Do any countries still require visas for entrance?

Answer: Yes, some countries still require US citizens to obtain a tourist visa prior to entering the country such as Brazil, Australia, China, Venezuela, Afghanistan and some off beat destinations. You do not currently need a visa to enter Great Britain, Ireland or any major European destination. Check with Reynolds Travel to see if your destination may require a visa or visit the web site noted below. Many countries not requiring a tourist visa will require you to get a business visa is you are staying over about two weeks and you are working in the country you are visiting.

You can also check visa requirements at the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

Question: Do I need a US Passport to travel to the Caribbean Islands that are not US or Canadian possessions?

Answer: Normally, it is only required that you have a notarized birth certificate, but we strongly recommend you take along a valid US Passport just to be safe. If you use a notarized birth certificate, you will also need a government issued photo identification document to show as proof that you are the person noted on the birth certificate such as a state issued driver's license (this is required for check-in).