DO I NEED A PASSPORT?

Before you travel be advised of the entry requirements of the foreign country you are traveling to.

Traveling by Air

  • All individuals, regardless of age, must have their own passport when traveling internationally by air.
  • If you have never had a U.S. passport, you must apply in person, using the DS-11 Application for a U.S. Passport. Please visit the First Time Applicants page for information on application requirements, application fees, and where to apply.
  • If you have previously owned or currently own a U.S. passport, you may qualify to renew your passport by mail.  Please visit the Renew a Passport page to learn more about the application requirements, application fees, and to find out if you qualify to renew by mail.

Traveling by Sea

  • All adult U.S. citizens arriving by sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean must have a passport.*
  • Either a passport book or passport card may be used.
  • All U.S. citizens may apply for a passport card.
  • To learn more about the passport card including how to apply and the differences between the passport book and passport card, please visit our U.S. Passport Card page.
  • *Closed Loop Cruises: If you are a U.S. citizen and you board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship, you may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.
  • U.S. citizen children under age 16 arriving by sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.

Traveling by Land?

  • All adults arriving by land from Canada or Mexico must have a passport.
    Either a passport book or passport card may be used.
  • All U.S. citizens may apply for a passport card.
  • To learn more about the passport card including how to apply and the differences between the passport book and passport card, please visit the U.S. Passport Card page.
  • U.S. citizen children under age 16 arriving by land from Canada or Mexico may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.