Passport Requirements

New-Important update for U.S. citizens traveling abroad by land or sea

As of January 31, 2008, the U.S. government reminds Americans returning by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and Caribbean nations to have documents denoting citizenship and identity. Passports are not required until the summer of 2009. Until then, travelers from those destinations must show a government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, as well as proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate.

General Passport Information

Traveling abroad? It's important you know your passport, visa and health requirements, which vary by destination. Make sure you get all the information you need well in advance of your trip.

Passports are now required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States via air, to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean (with the exception of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Bermuda.

Beginning in the summer of 2009, passports will be required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States via land and sea, regardless of destination.

United States citizens can visit the State Department's web site http://travel.state.gov, or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center: (877) 4USA-PPT. Please allow 6 weeks for processing of the passport application. If you need to travel urgently and require a passport sooner, please visit http://travel.state.gov for additional information on expedited processing.

For more details regarding the State Department reminder of January 31, 2008, please visit:http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1200669485238.shtm

To find out more information about how to obtain a Passport, please visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

To find frequently asked questions about the New Travel Document Requirements, please visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html.

To find foreign country entry requirements, please visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html.