Passports and Visas

U.S. citizens need only a valid passport to enter Italy for stays of up to 90 days.

Passports

Although somewhat costly, a U.S. passport is relatively simple to obtain and is valid for 10 years. You must apply in person if you're getting a passport for the first time; if your previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged; or if your previous passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago or when you were under 16. All children under 18 must appear in person to apply for or renew a passport. Both parents must accompany any child under 14 (or send a notarized statement with their permission) and provide proof of their relationship to the child.

There are 13 regional passport offices, as well as 7,000 passport acceptance facilities in post offices, public libraries, and other governmental offices. If you're renewing a passport, you can do so by mail. Forms are available at passport acceptance facilities and online.

The cost to apply for a new passport is $100 for adults, $85 for children under 16; renewals are $75. Allow six weeks for processing, both for first-time passports and renewals. For an expediting fee of $60 you can reduce this time to about two weeks. If your trip is less than two weeks away, you can get a passport even more rapidly by going to a passport office with the necessary documentation. Private expediters can get things done in as little as 48 hours, but charge hefty fees for their services.

Before your trip, make two copies of your passport's data page (one for someone at home and another for you to carry separately). Or scan the page and email it to someone at home and/or yourself.

Visas

When staying for 90 days or less, U.S. citizens aren't required to obtain a visa prior to traveling to Italy. If you plan to travel or live in Italy or the European Union for longer than 90 days, you must acquire a valid visa from the Italian consulate serving your state before you leave the United States. Plan ahead, because the process of obtaining a visa will take at least 30 days, and the Italian government doesn't accept visa applications submitted by visa expediters.

U.S. Passport Information

U.S. Department of State (877/487-2778. www.travel.state.gov/passport.)

U.S. Passport Expediters

A. Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors (800/806-0581 or 202/338-0111. www.abriggs.com.)

American Passport Express (800/455-5166. www.americanpassport.com.)

Passport Express (800/362-8196. www.passportexpress.com.)

Travel Document Systems (800/874-5100. www.traveldocs.com.)

Travel the World Visas (866/886-8472 or 202/223-8822. www.world-visa.com.)