Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your return to the U.S. Most countries require a passport for entry, and recently enacted regulations now require returning U.S. nationals from all foreign destinations to have a valid passport. This now includes Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your return to the U.S.
If you do not have a passport, apply for one in person as soon as possible. Demand on the U.S. Passport Office has been at unprecedented levels, so it is recommended to apply at least six months prior to the start of your trip. (Rush service is available for an additional charge.)
To facilitate the process, you will need the following:
- Proof of citizenship, such as a certified or original birth certificate with a raised seal, or a naturalization certificate
- A recent photo ID card such as state driver’s license, to verify your identity
- Two recent two-inch by two-inch color photographs, obtainable from one-hour photo shops
- A completed official passport application.
If your town does not have a State Department Passport Agency, get a passport application from your nearest federal or state courthouse or U.S. post office. A new passport is valid for ten years. Renewal of passports may be done through the mail if the passport has not been expired for more than 15 years. Forms are available at the locations listed above.
Important: Non-U.S. and Canadian citizens must check with the embassy of the country or countries of destination for passport and visa requirements.
For detailed information, visit the U.S. State Department’s web site.
