Getting a U.S. Passport and Japanese Yen

Getting a U.S. Passport

1. Application Form
If:

• you are applying for the first time
• you under 16 years old
• your previous passport was issued when your under 16 years old
• your passport was stolen, damaged, or lost
• your passport was issued more than 15 years ago

you need to apply in person using a DS-11 form.

2. Copy of Supporting Documents

• Citizenship evidence
  • U.S. birth certificate
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Certificate of Birth (If born outside of the U.S.)
• Identification
  • Valid U.S. passport (can be expired)
  • Valid U.S. driver’s license
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
  • Government employee ID
  • U.S. military ID
  • Valid foreign passport
  • If you use an out-of-state ID, another ID must be shown.
• Proof of relationship for children under 16 years old

Photocopies should:

1. Be readable
2. On white 8.5″ x 11″ standard paper
3. Black and white
4. Single-sided for all documents including identification. If you have information on two sides of a document, copy the front and back on separate sheets of paper.

3. Passport Photo

• 2″ x 2″ color passport photo.

4. Fees

*VERY IMPORTANT: When applying for a passport, you have the option of applying for a passport book, passport card, or passport book and passport card. To travel to Japan you ABSOLUTELY need a PASSPORT BOOK. Passport cards are only valid for travel within the United States, to Canada, to Mexico, to Bermuda, and to the Caribbean.

*Also, DO NOT book your tickets to Japan before you receive your passport!

Japanese Yen

General rule for calculating how much Japanese Yen (represented by the “¥”), move the decimal twice to the left, and that’s approximately how much it is worth in dollars. If you want an exact amount, check the currency exchange rate.

Looking and the currency,
Bills:
¥10,000 is about $100 (bottom of left fan)
¥5000 is about $50 (bottom of right fan)
¥2000 is about $20 (these bills not really in circulation in Japan, but you might get some when exchanging money) (top of right fan)
¥1000 is about $10 (top of left fan)

Coins:
¥500 is about $5 (biggest coin that is gold-colored)
¥100 is about $1 (silver-colored coin without a hole)
¥50 is about $0.50 (silver-colored coin with a hole)
¥10 is about $0.10 (bronze-colored coin)
¥5 is about $0.05 (gold-colored coin with hole)
¥1 is about $0.01 (smallest and lightest coin)

It is recommended that you exchange dollars to yen before you depart for Japan.

More explanations about booking flights/accommodations and transportation in Japan are coming up in the near future!