International Flying

AOPA's Guide to Obtaining a U.S. Passport for International Travel

By AOPA staff

Effective January 23, 2007, all U.S. citizens must have a passport when flying to Canada, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico, or other points in Central and South America. Your birth certificate and government-issued photo ID won't be enough after that date. This is true whether you are flying your own aircraft or flying as an airline passenger. Using the information and Web site links below you can learn how to apply for a passport, renew a passport, and obtain passports for minors and children under the age of 14. Passports are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of State. All citizens must enter the United States at an approved U.S. airport of entry and submit a passport as proof of citizenship. Prior to January 23, 2007, other acceptable means of proof of citizenship include an original birth certificate with photo identification.

What the rule means to:

U.S. citizens who are traveling internationally to ANY foreign country:
- You must have a passport for entry back into the United States.

Foreign citizens:
- When attempting entry into the United States all foreign nationals are required to have a valid passport issued by the government of the country of citizenship.

Resident aliens:
- Same requirements as a U.S. citizen if the United States issued the passport.
- A valid and current passport issued by another country's government also is acceptable.

Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
Passport Fees

Additional General Information

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
General Questions and Answers

Forms

New Passport Application Process

To obtain a new passport for the first time, you must go in person to one of the passport acceptance facilities located in the United States. You must have two photographs of yourself, proof of citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a state-issued driver's license. All passports are valid for 10 years unless specifically limited by the Department of State at time of issuance. Additional information on passports can be found online.

Application Process for Minors:

Statement of Consent and the requirements for getting a passport for any minors and children under the age of 14

Renewal Process:

If you currently hold a valid passport, which is due to expire or has already expired, you may renew the passport via regular mail. The renewal fee is $67, and the forms can be obtained online, printed, and mailed.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

All U.S. citizens traveling to/from the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to have a passport or other acceptable document to establish identity and nationality. The following phases will be implemented for this initiative:

January 23, 2007 — Passports, Merchant Mariner Document (MMD), or NEXUS Air cards would be required for all air travel, and most commercial sea travel, from within the Western Hemisphere for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda.
January 1, 2008 — The statutory deadline for all Western Hemisphere travel, including land border travel. Passports or other accepted documents determined to sufficiently denote identity and citizenship will be required for anyone crossing at a land border, as well as air and sea.

Additional information:

Requirements between U.S. and Western Hemisphere

Passport Fees

The initial first-time fee for a new passport for citizens age 16 and older is $67, plus a $30 execution fee. Total cost is $97.

Under age 16, the passport fee is $52 and the execution fee is $30. Total cost is $82. See the State Department's Web site.

Passport processing time is normally six weeks. Expedited service can be provided for an additional fee of $60 plus all overnight delivery charges. This service will get you a passport in two weeks.

Passport agencies are available at the locations using the online search option.

Forms

Department of State Frequently Asked Questions

A list of frequently asked questions about the new travel document requirements is available online.

General Questions and Answers

Q. Who must have a passport?
A. All U.S. citizens regardless of age who travel internationally to any foreign country and want entry back into the United States.

Q. Are driver's license acceptable means of proof of citizenship?
A. No. Driver's licenses are not and never have been proof of citizenship. A driver's license is merely a form of photo identification but only when issued by a state in which driving privileges are granted.

Q. Can a citizen obtain assistance from the Department of State when applying for a passport?
A. Yes. The Department of State does have a help hotline and assistance center at the National Passport Information Center.