Entry Requirements

Passports

As of January 1, 2008, under new Homeland Security regulations, Americans returning from Bermuda and the Caribbean must show passports when reentering the United States. Since the beginning of 2007, travelers returning to Canada have to show passports as well.

Bermuda Immigration authorities require U.S. citizens to have at least one of the following items in their possession: a birth certificate (or a certified copy of it accompanied by a photo ID), a U.S. naturalization certificate, a valid passport, a U.S. Alien Registration card, or a U.S. reentry permit. Go with the passport.

Canadian citizens must have either a birth certificate (or a certified copy), a Canadian certificate of citizenship, or a valid passport plus proof of Landed Immigrant status.

Bermuda Immigration authorities require visitors from the United Kingdom and Europe to show a valid passport. All visitors must have a return or onward ticket in addition to their valid passport or original birth certificate.

Any traveler staying in Bermuda longer than 3 weeks must apply to the Chief Immigration Officer in person, at the Government Administration Building, 30 Parliament St., Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda (tel. 441/295-5151; www.immigration.gov.bm), for an extended stay. You will be asked to fill out an immigration application for an extended stay, which then will or will not be approved by authorities.

For an up-to-date, country-by-country listing of passport requirements around the world, go to the "Foreign Entry Requirement" Web page of the U.S. State Department at http://travel.state.gov.

Traveling with Minors

It's always wise to have plenty of documentation when traveling in today's world with children. For changing details on entry requirements for children traveling abroad, keep up-to-date by going to the U.S. State Department website: http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html.

To prevent international child abduction, governments have initiated procedures at entry and exit points. These often (but not always) include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, facilitates entries and exits. All children must have their own passport. To obtain a passport, the child must be present -- that is, in person -- at the center issuing the passport. Both parents must be present as well. If not, then a notarized statement from the parents is required.

All questions parents or guardians might have can be answered by calling the National Passport Information Center at tel. 877/487-6868 Monday through Friday from 8am to 8pm Eastern Standard Time.