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Passport Requirements for US Citizens
Here are the passport requirements for US Citizens traveling outside the United States. The source of these rules is the US Department of State. (Refer to US Department of State Travel Documentation Requirements below.) A passport is an official government document that certifies one's identity and citizenship and permits a citizen to travel abroad. Only the U.S. Department of State and its U.S. Consulates abroad
have the authority to issue a passport.
Check to see if visas are required by the host countries. For a detailed list of foreign embassies and consulates, click on the U.S. Department of State's Web Sites of Foreign Embassies in the U.S. If your passport is lost or stolen, report it
immediately to the local police and to the nearest U.S. Consulate.
Better yet scan your passport, credit cards, plane tickets, rail pass, driver's license and other important documents into a Word file. Give it a password that you can't forget and email them to yourself. For more information - Passport Application page for US Citizens For more information - Visa Requirements page
The following information is found on the U.S. Department of State's Website concerning Travel Document and Passport Requirements.
The easiest way to meet the following Documentation and Passport Requirements is to apply for and
receive a valid US Passport as soon as
possible.
Also remember, it is necessary to have a valid US Passport
BEFORE you can apply for any visas that might be required by a
foreign country. -
Uncle Dan US Department of State Travel Documentation and Passport Requirements: AIR TRAVEL ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport book or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. LAND AND SEA TRAVEL ALL PERSONS traveling by land and sea outside of the United States are required to present a passport book/card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States. The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website:
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S.PASSPORT AND WHTI COMPLIANT DOCUMENTS:
For further information see U.S. Customs and Border protection. ABOUT WHTI The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Please Note: The WHTI-compliant documents described above are acceptable for entry or re-entry into the United States. You may be required to present additional or different travel documents when entering foreign countries, including some countries in the Western Hemisphere. Before you travel, make sure you know the entry requirements of the country you plan to visit. See Country Specific Information for more information on the country you are traveling to. The goal of WHTI is to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler. Here are some important planning tips: Go to the Page on Get Organized Go to the Library Travel Section. What to Pack for Your Next Trip |
