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To visit any country outside the United States and its territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, you will need some form of identification. The entry requirements for each country vary and can include one or more of the following:
- Passport or proof of U.S. citizenship
- Proof of onward travel or a return ticket
- Visa (not the credit card; basically it's pre departure approval, which is often required for longer visits or even short visits to some countries)
- Tourist card (usually available from a country's consulate or the airline)
- Proof of sufficient funds (a credit card or bank statement will do the trick)
- Proof of hotel reservations
Note: There are also some countries which require immunizations and/or an AIDS test. So, be sure to visit www.cdc.gov/travel for more details.
There are some countries which you don't need a passport to enter, and any of the following would be sufficient:
- Certified, original birth certificate (or certified copy thereof)
- Military ID card
- Certificate of naturalization
- Certificate of citizenship
- Voter registration card
- Expired U.S. passport
When using any of the above, you will need to use it conjunction with a valid photo ID, such as a valid driver's license, or government identification card.
When using your passport, some countries require that it is valid for at least six months or longer beyond the dates of your trip.
There are a few Middle Eastern and African countries which will not issue visas or allow you to enter their country if your passport indicates that you have travelled to Israel.
Most visas must be procured before you leave, although there are some that can be obtained when you arrive. Call the country's embassy or consulate for more details.
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For each country's entry requirements, visa instructions, and contact information, visit the U.S. State Department web site.
Important Passport Information
If You Are Taking Your Husbands Name
This shouldn't be a problem, if you plan accordingly. You will have to book your airline tickets and secure your passport before your honeymoon, and the name on both must match, so book your ticket and apply for your passport under your maiden name. When you've returned from your honeymoon and received your marriage certificate, make a certified copy and send it along with a Passport Amendment/Validation Application and your new passport to the nearest passport agency. You'll receive your "married" passport back in about three weeks at no charge.
Plan Ahead!
Remember that it normally takes about five weeks to process a request for a new passport. During the busy travel months, which are May through to August, it can even take up to eight weeks to get your passport by mail. However, if this is your first passport you are applying for, and you don't have a certified birth certificate, you can add another six weeks.
It is also important to remember that if you are renewing your passport, you can quite easily do it by mail. If this is your first passport, you will need to apply in person at the nearest passport agency, designated post office or court house.
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