Travel documents are required for travel by air, sea and land. In 2007, the U.S. began enforcing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which required all U.S. citizens to have passports when traveling by air to or from Canada and Mexico. In 2009, the U.S. began requiring passports for sea and land travel as well. Citizens have the option of applying for a U.S. Passport Card (see Resources) for travel in and out of Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The Passport Card does not work in any countries except Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Travelers should visit the embassy of the country they plan to visit to see what visa or other travel documents may be required. The U.S. Department of State also has up-to-date information on travel documents that are required by other countries. It also has useful information regarding travel advisories.
According to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all U.S. citizens must have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document when traveling into the United States by land or by sea. WHTI-compliant documents include NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST cards (see Resources section). Children under 16 can present birth certificates.
