Passport For Bahama's: Do You Need One?

If you are planning a trip to the bahamas, you may be asking yourself, do I need a passport to go to the bahamas or is a current license or other form of identity enough? These are valid questions and good information to know as you are preparing for your getaway.This information is mostly for US citizens who are planning entry to the Bahamas but people who may visit the Bahamas from foreign countries can also use these resources to find the requirements and prepare the correct documents before scheduling a trip.

As of 2009 the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into full effect and sets down the following guidelines for travel. If you are travelling by air to the Bahamas, it is necessary for a current (non expired) passport for entry. Some have followed information which is outdated and ran into problems when arriving. If you are flying from outside the USA and your government has different travel restrictions, it is still best to check with official entry requirements for the Bahamas and they are listed on their home website at Bahamas entry. Regardless of where you are coming from, the safest bet is to have an official passport which is current.

Cruises to the Bahamas

The passport requirement is slightly different based on whether you arrive via plane or cruise. Those who have taken a cruise to the Bahamas may be able to enter with a current license and official birth certificate. These regulations are for people who have left a United States port and will again return to that same port on what is called a "closed loop cruise". One other exception to the pasport rule is children under the age of 16. If travelling by sea, entry for children under 16 is allowed with just a birth certificate, certificate of citenzenship or a naturalization certificate. Even though these exceptions do exist. if you plan ahead, securing a passport for travel is the most commonly accepted form of identification and can be used worldwide.

Once you have decided that you will need a passport for travel, you may be wondering what is the best way to get one? There are a few different ways to approach the application process so lets take a quick look.

If you are planning ahead of time and are willing to wait the normal 6-9 weeks to receive your passport, then the standard application should be just fine. You will need to find a passport acceptance office that is near you and bring in all of the necessary documents for processing. You can get more information on local offices and passport requirements here

Some people may need to gain their passport in a much faster time frame due to travel arrangements. There are some trusted services on the internet that may be worth looking into for faster processing. One site to consider is rushmypassport, they have been featured on a variety of news channels and rated #1 in passport expediting by "The Wall Street Journal".

There are many other helpful guides and information services for you while planning to travel to the Bahamas. As you are researching information about passport requirements and entry documentation, consider signing up with the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program or (STEP) as it is more commonly referred to. This is a free service provided to citizens who are travelling or potentially moving to a foreign country