Things You Didn't Know About Your US Passport

Most people think that getting a US passport only involves filling out an application, taking a picture, paying a fee, mailing it all in, and waiting for it to arrive. But there's more to it than that. Read on to find out some interesting things about your passport.

Your US passport is more powerful than you know

Having a US passport lets you access 147 different countries around the world. Pretty powerful, don't you think?

A face tattoo or extreme weight loss are reasons for requiring a new passport

Anything that changes your current appearance, whether facial ink, plastic surgery, or extreme weight loss means you will have to get a new passport.

You should wear regular clothes for your passport photo

Wearing a uniform of any type, even your favorite team's jersey, is a big no and you will be asked to submit another photo. The only exception is for religious purposes.

Wearing prescription glasses is not a problem

You can wear your glasses for your passport photo as long as there is no reflection and you wear them every day.

Your passport has a chip

The chip in your passport stores all your information and is impossible to crack. It can also resist water damage.

There are places you can visit without a passport

Some destinations don't require a passport, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, among others.

Keep an eye on your passport's expiration date

Some countries, including the European Union, won't let you in if your passport is about to expire, in which case it's better to get a new one before you travel.

There are countries you can't visit

The State Department has a list of countries you won't be able to visit with a US passport, including North Korea, Afghanistan, and Iran, among others.