A U.S. passport, valid for 10 years, is by far the most widely accepted form of identification for foreign travel. If you are a first-time applicant, applied more than 15 years ago or have lost your previous passport, you must apply in person. You must present proof of citizenship in the form of an expired passport, certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship. You also must present a government- or state-issued form of identification, as well as two identical 2-inch-by-2-inch color photos taken within 6 months.
The fee for a first time applicant is $100, while renewals are $75. Passports generally take 4 to 6 weeks to process, but you can expedite the process for an additional $60, which will cut the wait time in half.
For children younger than 16, the process is more complicated. The minor must appear in person with both parents or guardians. In addition to identification, the parents will need to present evidence of relationship to the child. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate with both parents' names, adoption decree or court order that names custodians. A single parent can appear, as long as he brings a notarized statement of consent from the other parent. If only one parent is legally responsible for the child, as in the event of a death or termination of the other parent's rights, that parent must present evidence of sole authority, such as a death certificate or court order.
Fees for a minor's passport are $85, and the passport will be good for five years.
An option for cruisers is the passport card. Though it is valid for the same amount of time and requires the same paperwork for application, the passport card is easier to carry and cheaper than a regular passport. The card costs $45 for first time adult applicants, $20 for adult renewals and $35 for minors. If you currently have a valid passport, the card is $20. A passport card is valid for travel from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda.
Passports are one of the approved documents to travel by land or sea to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Travelers may also present a Trusted Traveler Card, State Issued Enhanced Driver's License, Enhanced Tribal Card, Native American tribal photo ID or Form I-872 American Indian card. Minors under 16 may travel with only a certified birth certificate as of June 1, 2009.
It is important that you check with your travel agent and the State Department to ensure you have the correct documents for your trip.
While you can travel to the Caribbean using documents other than a passport, it is strongly recommended that you obtain a valid passport. Circumstances might arise that require you to travel by air, and a passport is required.
