I am a

U.S. citizen A5

How do I get information 

about requirements for 

traveling abroad?

Passports

U.S. citizens need a passport when traveling to, or returning from, 

most foreign countries. To find out the exceptions 

to this rule and to confirm current travel requirements, please check 

with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs 

Web site at www.state.gov or by calling the National Passport 

Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

The U.S. Passport Office issues all U.S. passports. 

For information about requirements and how to apply for a passport, 

including a list of authorized passport acceptance offices, contact 

them or an authorized passport acceptance office directly. Applying 

for a passport is not a difficult process, and you can request 

expedited processing for an additional fee. Please be prepared 

to apply for your passport well in advance of any planned travel. 

Current passport processing times can be obtained on the U.S. 

Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Web site 

or by calling the National Passport Information Center.

Please note: The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires 

U.S. citizens, age 16 and older, to present a valid, acceptable travel 

document, such as a passport, a U.S. passport card, a trusted 

traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST/EXPRESS), 

a Permanent Resident Card or an enhanced driver’s license that 

denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land 

or sea. U.S. citizens under age 16 may present a birth certificate 

or alternative proof of citizenship when entering by land or sea. All 

travelers must have a passport book for international air travel. 

Please note that hospital-issued birth certificates, voter registration 

cards, and affidavits cannot be used.

If you were not born in the United States, you can use your original 

Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship. 

Visas

Many countries require that U.S. citizens have a visa issued 

by that country to enter. 

For information about whether a country requires a visa, please 

contact that country’s embassy or consulate well in advance of your 

planned travel. For more “Tips for Traveling Abroad,” please visit 

www.travel.state.gov. 

Please note: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 

does not issue U.S. passports or foreign visas. If you plan to travel 

abroad, please check with the U.S. Department of State for more 

information well before your planned trip.

Key Information

Other U.S. Government Services–Click or Call

General 

Information

www.usa.gov 1-800-333-4636

New 

Immigrants

www.welcometoUSA.gov

U.S. Dept. 

of State

www.state.gov 1-202-647-6575

www.travel.state.gov

A5—I am a U.S. citizen...How do I get information about requirements for traveling abroad?

M-604B (October 2013) N 1
2 A5—I am a U.S. citizen...How do I get information about requirements for traveling abroad?

M-604B (October 2013) N

For more copies of this guide, or information 

about other customer guides, please visit 

www.uscis.gov/howdoi. 

You can also visit www.uscis.gov to 

download forms, e-file some applications, 

check the status of an application, and more. 

It’s a great place to start!

If you don’t have Internet access at home 

or work, try your local library. 

If you cannot find what you need, please call 

Customer Service at: 1-800-375-5283 

Hearing Impaired TDD Customer Service: 

1-800-767-1833

Disclaimer: This guide provides basic information 

to help you become generally familiar with our 

rules and procedures. For more information, or 

the law and regulations, please visit our Web 

site. Immigration law can be complex, and it is 

impossible to describe every aspect of every 

process. You may wish to be represented by 

a licensed attorney or by a nonprofit agency 

accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals.