Never pack your passport in your luggage. When traveling from country to country, keep your passport with you at all times. If you plan to travel over a long weekend or quarter break, remember to take your passport and carry it with you. As soon as you receive your passport, sign it and fill in the information on the inside cover. Your passport is not valid without your signature.
Passports are valid for ten years.
A passport is an official government document to be used only by the person to whom it is issued. Do not allow anyone else to use your passport or alter it in any way. Your passport is a valuable document for which you are responsible. Its loss could cause you considerable delay and expense. If your passport is lost or stolen, notify the local authorities and the American Embassy at once.