Passports - General Information A passport is a travel document issued by competent authority showing the bearer s origin, identity, and nationality, if any, which is valid for the entry of the bearer into a foreign country. Under U.S. law, U.S. citizens must enter and depart the U.S. with valid U.S. passports. This requirement is waived, however, for travel from countries within the Western Hemisphere, with the exception of Cuba. However, each foreign country has its own entry requirements concerning citizenship, passports and visas. Information regarding those requirements may be obtained from the appropriate foreign embassy or consulate.
Information regarding a minor s passport is available to either parent.
While we make every effort to be of assistance, the Office of Children's Issues can assume no legal responsibility for the services provided. Many children, although born in the U.S. or born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, are citizens of both the U.S. and another country. This may occur through the child s birth abroad, through a parent who was born outside the U.S., or a parent who has acquired a second nationality through naturalization in another country. There is no requirement that a U.S. citizen parent consent to the acquisition of another nationality. The inability to obtain a U.S. passport through the Children s Passport Issuance Alert Program does not automatically prevent a dual national child from obtaining and traveling on a foreign passport.