What Documents You Need Before You Travel

Start with the document your destination requires

The documents you need depend entirely on where you are going and how you are getting there. A passport is not always required — a driver's license works for car travel within North America, and some Caribbean islands accept a passport card for cruise passengers. But if you are flying internationally or entering most countries by land, you will need a passport book. Before you pack, check the entry requirements for your specific destination on the State Department website or your airline's website, because the rules change and vary by citizenship status.

Start by identifying what your destination actually requires, not what you think you might need. Many travelers pack documents they do not need and leave behind ones they do. A few minutes on the official government website for your destination saves you from discovering the gap at the airport.

Key Takeaways

• A valid passport book is required for international air travel and entry to most countries, but a passport card or driver's license may work for land and sea travel within North America.
• Check your destination's specific entry requirements on the State Department website or your airline's website before you book, because requirements vary by country and change regularly.
• Bring proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization papers, or passport) even on domestic flights, because the TSA requires it if your ID is expired or does not meet Real ID standards.
• Some countries require visas, vaccinations, or travel permits that take weeks to obtain, so research these requirements at least two months before your trip.
• Keep copies of critical documents in a separate bag and store digital copies in a secure cloud account in case your originals are lost or stolen.

Passport requirements for different types of travel

A passport book is the standard document for international air travel. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16. If your passport expires within six months of your trip, many countries will not let you enter — check your destination's rules, because some require your passport to be valid for a full six months beyond your return date. If your passport is expired or will expire soon, you will need to renew it before you travel, which takes 4 to 6 weeks through the State Department.

A passport card is smaller and cheaper than a passport book, but it only works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It does not work for air travel to any country. If you are driving to Canada or taking a cruise, a passport card is sufficient. If you are flying anywhere internationally, you need the passport book.

For travel within the United States by air, you do not need a passport. You need a Real ID-compliant driver's license or state ID, or a passport, or a military ID. If your driver's license does not have a gold star or other Real ID marking, bring a birth certificate or passport as backup proof of citizenship, because the TSA will not accept an expired or non-compliant ID alone.

Visas, permits, and vaccination records

Some countries require a visa — a stamp or document in your passport that permits you to enter. The United States has visa-free or visa-on-arrival agreements with many countries, but not all. Check the State Department's country-specific travel advisories to see whether your destination requires a visa. If it does, you will need to apply through that country's embassy or consulate, which can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the country.

Many countries now require proof of vaccination against certain diseases, most commonly COVID-19 or yellow fever. Some require a vaccination card or digital proof from your healthcare provider. Others require an International Certificate of Vaccination (also called a yellow fever card), which you can obtain from a travel clinic or your doctor. Check your destination's health requirements at least two months before you travel, because some vaccines require multiple doses spaced weeks apart.

A few countries require a travel permit or entry authorization that you obtain online before arrival. These are usually quick to process but must be done in advance. Examples include the ETIAS for European countries and the ESTA for the United States if you are a foreign visitor. Check whether your destination has this requirement when you research entry rules.

Documents to bring for domestic travel

For domestic flights within the United States, bring a Real ID-compliant driver's license or state ID. If your ID is expired or does not meet Real ID standards, bring a birth certificate, passport, military ID, or tribal ID as proof of citizenship. The TSA will not accept an expired ID alone, even for domestic travel.

If you are driving within the United States, you need a valid driver's license. You do not need a passport or birth certificate for domestic road travel. If you are traveling with children, bring their birth certificates if you are flying, because the TSA may ask for proof that you are authorized to travel with them.

Copies and backups to keep separate

Make two copies of the main page of your passport and any visas you have obtained. Keep one copy in a separate bag from your passport, and store a digital copy in a secure cloud account like Google Drive or OneDrive. If your passport is lost or stolen while traveling, having a copy makes it much faster to get an emergency replacement from a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Take a photo of your driver's license and any other critical documents and store it on your phone or in a cloud account. Do not carry all your important documents in the same bag — if that bag is lost, you lose everything. Spread them across your luggage and your carry-on.

What to do if your documents are not ready in time

If your passport is expiring soon, you can request expedited processing through the State Department for an additional fee. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks instead of 4 to 6 weeks. If you need your passport even faster, some passport acceptance agencies offer rush services, but these are limited and must be booked in advance.

If you discover you need a visa or vaccination record close to your travel date, contact the relevant embassy or your doctor immediately. Some visas can be processed quickly, but others cannot. Some vaccines require multiple doses, so there may not be time to complete the series before you leave. Knowing this early gives you time to decide whether to postpone your trip or change your destination.

Traveling with children and special circumstances

Children need their own passport to travel internationally by air, even infants. A child's passport is valid for 5 years. If you are traveling with a child who is not your own, bring a notarized letter of consent from the parent or guardian, because border agents may ask for it to prevent child trafficking. This is especially important if you are traveling with a child whose last name differs from yours.

If you have a criminal record, certain health conditions, or immigration status issues, check with the destination country's embassy before you book your trip. Some countries deny entry based on these factors, and discovering this at the airport is costly and stressful. A quick call or email to the embassy can tell you whether you will be allowed to enter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?

No. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are U.S. territories, so you only need a Real ID-compliant driver's license or passport. You do not need a passport book. If your driver's license is not Real ID-compliant, bring a birth certificate or passport as backup.

How long does it take to get a passport?

Standard processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks for an additional fee. Some passport acceptance agencies offer rush services that can deliver a passport in days, but availability is limited and costs are high. Check the State Department website for current processing times in your area.

Can I travel with an expired passport if I am a U.S. citizen?

No. Your passport must be valid to enter another country. If your passport is expired, you must renew it before you travel. The only exception is if you are traveling by car or cruise ship to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean — then a passport card or Real ID driver's license works instead.

What if I lose my passport while traveling abroad?

Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate immediately. They can issue an emergency passport that lets you return to the United States. Bring your passport copy, a photo ID, and proof of citizenship. Having a copy of your passport stored in a cloud account makes this process much faster.

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada or Mexico?

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to visit Canada or Mexico for tourism. You need a valid passport book for air travel, or a passport card or Real ID driver's license for land and sea travel. Some other nationalities do need a visa — check the embassy website for your country of citizenship.