Mandatory Travel Documents

•	Valid U.S. passport (air travel)
•	Proof of U.S. citizenship (alternative documents for land/sea)
•	Foreign passport from second country of citizenship

Learn more about U.S. citizenship and passport requirements

Emergency Travel Authorization

Eligibility	Process	Validity
• Urgent travel need • No valid U.S. passport • Proof of citizenship	1. Complete emergency travel form 2. Submit supporting documents 3. Wait for approval	• Single entry only • 48-hour response time • Must obtain passport upon arrival

Apply for emergency travel authorization

Entry Methods Comparison

Method	Accepted Documents	Additional Requirements
By Air	U.S. passport only	No ESTA or visa required for U.S. citizens
By Land/Sea	• Passport • U.S. Citizenship Certificate • Naturalization Certificate	Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Real ID (certain states)

Border services documentation guide

Passport Application Timeline

Service Type	Processing Time	Action Required
Standard Application	6-8 weeks	Online application portal
Expedited Service	2-3 weeks	In-person appointment required
Emergency Service	24 hours	Proof of urgent travel

Key Considerations

• Minor citizens (under 16) require additional documentation for passport application
• Expired passports cannot be used for air travel, even if within 15-year validity
• Ensure consistency in names across all documents to avoid discrepancies
• Special application procedures for military personnel and their dependents

Compliance Checklist

✓	Verify passport expiry date (6+ months validity recommended)
✓	Check U.S. entry requirements (visa waivers or ESTA for non-citizens)
✓	Ensure foreign-born children are registered for U.S. citizenship if applicable