Passport

So the question is; who needs a passport? The short answer is if you are going to travel overseas then you need one. But, naturally, nothing is ever that simple.

In its simplest form, it is a travel document issued by your home country that permits you to leave and return home. Citizens from all countries need one to travel out of their country and into another one but there are some exceptions.

For instance, citizens in the European Union do not need one to pass from one country in the EU into another country. US citizens often do not need to show one to travel between countries in the EU either however you need one to initially get in to one of the European Union counties.

If you are a US citizen then you’ll need a passport nowadays more than ever before. You’ve always needed one to fly to Europe or Asia or beyond but now you need one to fly to Canada, Mexico and even the Caribbean.

It used to be to get into Canada or Mexico and to many of the Islands of the Caribbean, all you needed was your birth certificate and some proof of identity such as your drivers license. September 11, 2001 changed all of that.

To cross borders into Canada or Mexico by land or sea (driving or cruising), you currently need a valid passport, a passport card or a WHTI-compliant document. Or you need a government-issued Photo Identification such as a drivers license together with proof of your citizenship such as a birth certificate.

Now, in “government speak”, WHTI means Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. There are a whole lot of rules about what a WHTI-compliant document is. If you think you qualify for one of them then you should check the regulations at the US Department of State to be certain.

From July 2008, the US Government began issuing US Passport Cards. These wallet-size cards are convenient and less expensive however they cannot be used for international air travel.

Note that any children travelling with you will need passports as well too, even infants.

You need to make sure that the documents have not expired. Every traveller’s documentation must be current and valid. Depending on the rules of the country you’re travelling to, they may also need to be valid for three to six months after you return from your trip. That means they can’t expire for several months after your return.

It is up to you to make sure that you have the proper documentation. You should not take the word of the airline on which you are travelling or your travel agent. They can all give you advice but if any of them is even slightly misinformed, it’s your trip that will be delayed or ruined.

While I am trying to give you the best advice possible, it is confusing and the best advice is to check with the US Department of State or your local government agency if you are a US citizen. The very best advice I can give you is that if you are travelling anywhere outside of the borders of the United States or your home country, get a passport. Just do it and you will experience fewer hassles.