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Brentwood Travel strongly urges all travelers and potential travelers who do not currently have a valid passport to apply for one immediately. In that way, you will be ready as soon as you decide to travel. Reminder: new passports are valid for ten years.

For complete information and to download new and renewal forms, visit:

 https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html

Image from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html

Do I Need A Passport?

Most U.S. citizens must use a U.S. passport to travel overseas and re-enter the United States. A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies your identity and citizenship. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to issue U.S. passports.

Most foreign countries require a valid passport to enter and leave. Some countries may allow you to enter with only a birth certificate, or with a birth certificate and a driver's license, but all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air, must present a valid passport to re-enter the United States.

If you are traveling by land or sea, you must provide evidence of both your U.S. citizenship and your identity when you re-enter the United States. For many land or sea trips this means that you can travel using the new U.S. passport card instead of the normal passport book. 

What about your children? Some countries have instituted requirements to help prevent child abductors and may require travelers to present proof of relationship to the children and evidence of consent from any non-accompanying parent(s). Read more about U.S. children's passport requirements.

When preparing to travel outside of the country, be mindful of your passport's expiration date. Some countries require that a traveler's passport be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of the trip. Contact the embassy of your foreign destination for more information.

Traveling By Air?

All individuals, regardless of age, must have their own passport when traveling internationally by air.

If you have never had a U.S. passport, you can apply in person, using the DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport. You can also apply online.

If you have previously owned or currently own a U.S. passport, you may qualify to renew your passport by mail. Visit Renew a Passport to learn more about the application requirements, application fees and to find out if you qualify to renew by mail.

Traveling by Sea?

All adult U.S. citizens arriving by sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean must have a passport.*

Either a passport book or passport card may be used.

All U.S. citizens may apply for a passport card.

U.S. citizen children under age 16 arriving by sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.

*"Closed Loop" Cruises: If you are a U.S. citizen and you board a cruise ship at a port within the United States travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship, you may present a government-issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.

Traveling by Land?

All adults arriving by land from Canada or Mexico must have a passport.

Either a passport book or passport card may be used.

All U.S. citizens may apply for a passport card.

​U.S. citizen children under age 16 arriving by land from Canada or Mexico may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.