Oh, come on! Do I REALLY need a Passport?

​Preparing for a vacation is always a little stressful:  so much to consider, so much to plan for!  And without a doubt, one of (if not THE) most common questions we are asked is “Do I REALLY need a passport to travel?”

So, let’s break down who needs a passport – and when – and then talk about the process of obtaining one.

DO YOU NEED A PASSPORT?
Well, that all depends on WHERE and HOW you are traveling!

TRAVELING BY AIR?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) REAL ID Act of 2018, made changes as to what type of ID you need when traveling by air (both within and outside the United States).  One thing you can expect is that residents of some states will need a passport when flying within the United States.

​It’s always a good idea to bring your passport to every foreign country you visit, including Canada, Mexico and U. S. Territories (even though they are not foreign countries).  You wouldn’t always need to have your passport to enter Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, or the North Mariana Islands.  But these news regulations mean that, depending on which state issued your driver’s license or state ID, you may be required to show a passport to fly domestically.  This is because the REAL ID Act instituted requirements for what information must be displayed on ID’s used for air travel.  If your state ID doesn’t comply with the required information, you’ll have to present a U.S. Passport at airport security.  Before booking air travel, then, you will want to check whether your state ID is complying.

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TAKING A CRUISE?
A passport is not required (as of April 2019) for U. S. citizens taking what is called a “closed loop” cruise. This is a term that refers to a cruise itinerary which begins and ends at the same U. S. location (for example:  you depart and return to the Port of Miami).  U. S. citizens taking a “closed loop” cruise, traveling without a passport, will need proof of citizenship such as:

1. U. S. passport card;
2. Original or Certified copy of a Government issued Birthday Certificate with a raised seal – or in some cases a holographic image.  Neither a notarized copy of a birth certificate nor a Live Hospital Birth Certificate will be accepted.  Remember:  if you are using a birth certificate and you have had a name change (marriage, etc.) you MUST also provide proof of that name change (marriage license);
3. Consular report of Birth Abroad (notarized copies are not acceptable).
4. Certificate of Naturalization (notarized copies are not acceptable).
5. Enhanced Driver’s License – there are currently only five U. S. states and four Canadian Provinces producing EDL’s:  Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washing; and British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

Guests are also required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license) in addition to the proof of citizenship.  Children are also required to bring proof of citizenship and, if 16 or over, a valid photo ID is also required.
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NOTE:  Only U. S. citizens can sail using a valid Proof of Citizenship along with a government issued photo ID.  Canadian and Bermudian citizens must have a passport for air, land and sea travel.  Birth certificates from Puerto Rico issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not valid forms of proof of citizenship that is accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Guests from Puerto Rico either need to present a WHTI-compliant document or a government-issued photo identification with a validated birth certificate issued after July 1, 2010.
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The following are NOT accepted forms of ID:

1. Notarized photocopy of a Birth Certificate;
2. Notarized photocopy of a Passport
3. Record of Live Birth from a Hospital/Hospital Birth Certificate
4. World Passport
5. Social Security Card
6. Voter Registration Card
7. Baptismal Certificate.

With all the nuances associated with what documents are required, and what is accepted or not accepted, we strongly recommend that all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel).  If an emergency arises during your cruise that requires you to return to the U. S. for any reason (you missed the ship, you were injured or became ill, or someone at home requires that you return), you will have to have a passport.  

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WHO SHOULD HAVE A PASSPORT?

The following U. S. citizens should maintain valid U. S. passports:

• Those with family living or traveling abroad;
• Those thinking about a vacation abroad, or
• Those with a job that could require international travel.

• If you were age 16 or older when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 10 years.
• If you were under 16 when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 5 years.​
• The Issue Date of your passport can be found on the data page of your Passport Book or on the front of your Passport Card.
• Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.  Consider the following scenario: A country requires that you have at least six months of validity on your passport. You currently have seven months of validity on your passport.  However, your trip is two months from now. At that point, you will only have five months of validity remaining on your passport which is not enough to satisfy that country's entry requirements. In this situation, you would need to renew your passport before you can make your trip.

Now, let’s face it:  getting a passport can be a bit of a pain and there is, of course, an expense. 

Here are the basic steps required for first-time passports:

Step 1:  Start Early - Gather Documents
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​Apply for your passport several months before your trip. First-time applicants, minors, and applicants who may not renew by mail may submit their passport application at the Post Office. The U.S. State Department website explains what you'll need to bring with you.

• Application forms (unsigned)
• Proof of identity document and a photocopy of the front and back
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship document and a photocopy of the front and back
• ​Passport fees* (See below)

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Step 2:  Prepare Your Application Package

Visit the U.S. Department of State website to learn how to apply for a passport and what documents you need.

1. Complete your Form DS-11 Application for U.S. Passport on the State Department website.
2. Print your completed application.  DO NOT SIGN YOUR APPLICATION. A Postal employee must witness your signature.
3. Have a passport photo taken.
   NOTE: Many Post Offices with passport services can also take your photo. Call to confirm your Post Office takes photos.  You can also go to Walgreens, CVS, etc. for a passport photo.
4. Photocopy your proof of identity and U.S. Citizenship documents.
5. Calculate your fees.

• Post Offices accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for Post Office acceptance fees.
• State Department fees are mailed with your application. You can pay with a personal, certified, cashier's, traveler's check, or money order, payable to "U.S. Department of State."

Step 3:  Find a Post Office
Post Offices have set hours for passport services. Many require an appointment. Use the Find USPS Locations tool to find the nearest Post Office offering passport services.

1. Go to Find USPS Locations.
2. Select Passports from Location Types.
3. Enter a ZIP Code™ or address.
4. Select a mileage range.
5. Click Refine search to select services such as walk-in, appointment, or photos.
6. Click Search.

TO RENEW YOUR PASSPORT, visit PASSPORT RENEWAL https://www.usa.gov/passport#item-34907

Need a Passport in a Hurry?
Leaving Within 2-3 Weeks: To get a new passport application processed within 2–3 weeks, submit your application at a passport acceptance Post Office and pay for expedited processing and 1–2-day delivery service for faster return shipping.

• Prepare your application package as listed in Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package.
• Add the expedited processing fee of $60, payable to the U.S. Department of State, to your other fees.
• USPS mails your application package to the State Department for processing. You can purchase Priority Mail Express® to expedite delivery. Cost varies by location.
• Purchase the 1–2-day delivery service for $16.48, payable to the U.S. Department of State for faster return shipping.

Leaving Within 2 Weeks or Less:  NOTE: If you are traveling within 2 weeks or need a foreign visa within 30 days, you must apply at a Department of State passport agency. You can make an appointment online or call 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY).

First-time passport applications have two types of basic fees, the application acceptance fee and the application processing fee. Passport photos and fees for faster processing are extra.

Application Acceptance Fees – Postal Service
Pay acceptance fees in person at the Post Office. You may pay by check or money order, payable to "Postmaster," debit card, or credit card.

• $35.00 - Post Office acceptance fee
• $15.00 - Post Office photo fee (if needed)

Application Processing Fees – Department of State
State Department payment is sent with your application package. State Department fees are paid separately from USPS fees.

• State Department Fees
  State Department passport fees vary. Calculate passport fees online.
• State Department Payment Methods
  NOTE: You may not pay State Department fees with credit or debit cards. You may pay with:
  • Personal, certified, cashiers, or traveler's check, payable to "U.S. Department of State."
  • Money order payable to "U.S. Department of State." You may purchase a money order at the Post Office with a debit card.

Don’t get left behind:  make sure you have the proper identification to travel!  Those who fail to have the required documents will be denied boarding for travel.
Before you travel:
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• Read the U. S. Department of State’s Traveler’s Checklist and make sure to:
• Research your destination to learn about important health and safety precautions to take.
• Check the country information for the countries you will be visiting. Make a list of the contact information of the U.S. embassy and consulates there in case of an emergency
• Always bring your passport in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port in an emergency, even if your cruise says you won’t need it.
• Apply early for your passport, or make sure your current one will be valid at least six months beyond your travel dates and has two or more blank pages.. Your cruise company may also require you to have a passport even if U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not.
• Have the right foreign visas for all stops on your cruise, if required, even if you do not plan to disembark in those locations.
• Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive important safety and security information. Follow @TravelGov on Twitter and/or Facebook for travel and security information as well.
• Have medical, emergency evacuation, and other insurance to cover unexpected travel expenses when abroad. Check with your cruise line, travel agency, health/homeowner’s insurance providers, credit card companies, and other sources to learn what they do and do not cover overseas. Consider buying supplemental insurance.
• Make color copies of your passport photo page, foreign visas, and itinerary. Leave one copy with a trusted family member or friend and carry one separately from your actual documents.

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Please visit: https://www.usa.gov/passport for more information!

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