If you’re even thinking of traveling overseas, there’s one essential item: a passport. But right now, more than 60 percent of the U.S. population is ineligible to fly overseas because they don’t have a valid passport.

Yes, some bureaucracy goes into the passport process, but Alyssa Caverley is here to make it as simple as possible. With her latest Know Before You Go video, she breaks down the ID and paperwork required to apply for your first passport, how to get it fast, how to renew an expired passport, and even how to replace one if it’s lost or stolen.

Don’t miss the latest Know Before You Go videos on How to Make Frequent Flier Miles Work for You, How to Avoid Jet Lag, How to Pick Seats on the Plane and How to Prevent Theft on the Road.

For more information on passport services, How to Renew or Apply for A US Passport

By Alyssa Caverley for PeterGreenberg.com