Proof of Citizenship
For United States citizens, in every case, we recommend obtaining and maintaining a valid U.S. Passport, which is recognized as the best identification documentation you can carry. Your passport must be valid not only through the dates of travel, but must also be valid for at least 6 months past your scheduled return date (in case of an unforeseen illness or problem that detains you abroad past your planned return date).
For certain destinations, visas (government-issued entry permits) may also be required. Please speak with one of our vacation specialists regarding this.
If you do not travel with a passport, U.S. citizens will need two things:
1) To prove your identity: a government-issued photo ID, such as a valid
driver's license or Police ID, for anyone age 16 or over. Children below driving
age are not required to provide photo ID, but many people are now getting Police
ID cards for their kids.
-- AND --
2) To prove your citizenship: either your original, government-issued birth
certificate (legible and with an official raised seal), or a government-issued
certified copy, also with an official raised seal. Although in the past,
hospital certificates, notarized letters, Social Security cards, and voter's
registration cards were acceptable as proof-of-citizenship, this is no longer
the case.
Naturalized citizens (foreign-born persons who have become U.S. citizens) must carry, in the place of a birth certificate, their Certificate of Naturalization/Certificate of Citizenship, along with the photo ID. Having only one of the above 2 items without the other is also considered unacceptable, and you will be denied boarding on flights, ships, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: Obtaining and carrying proper citizenship documents is entirely the responsibility of the traveler, and if you are denied boarding for failure to provide this information, you will have virtually no financial or legal recourse. You will not be eligible for a refund from the supplier, airline, cruise line, tour operator or travel agent. Travel insurance will also not cover this type of human error. For non-U.S. citizens, including permanent resident aliens (green card holders), you bear the full responsibility of contacting your home country's consulate to find out the requirements that will allow you to travel internationally.
What may have worked in the past is not necessarily valid today. The world is a rapidly changing place, and governments or travel suppliers can update requirements at any time, with little or no notice. You can access the latest, updated information for U.S. citizens right here on our website by checking with the U.S. Department of State.