Why do i need a passport to go to Hawaii ?

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mrcma

These new travel requirements are still very much in flux and I don't think anyone really knows for sure about all of them. The guess that this is because you're flying over international waters is undoubtedly the basis of this information IF it is really the case.

I just checked the US State Dept. website and found no mention of this requirement at all in ANY of their releases on their new travel initiative. I did see one reference to other documentation still being acceptable in some circumstances (such as birth certificates or state-issued driver's licenses) BUT that passports were the PREFERRED means of identification. So maybe whoever told you this is just confused.

It would seem to me if you're a US citizen flying on a US flag carrier with no stops in any foreign ports of call, you shouldn't absolutely need a passport. However, what I've found in similar situations is that when different air carriers are uncertain about new regulations SOME err on the side of caution and are more stringent in their boarding requirements than others. If this is really an issue with you, you might want to check with other carriers. OTOH, with everything going on these days in the area of air travel and homeland security, who knows what even their requirements will be by the time you' actually fly.

IMHO, I think you should just go and get a passport anyway. Who knows, maybe that will make you more likely to check out other parts of the world for your next vacation.

LucyPooBird

That's very odd.... Maybe whoever sold you the ticket was confused????

*KiM*

you shouldn't need one..that's weird

Elsi

Whomever told you that you need a passport is lying to you. You are taking a domestic flight. I just went two weeks ago. I live in california and went through LAX straight to Honolulu and all i showed was my ID and that was it. NO PASSPORT, youre still in the states.

luvsdogs

Thats pretty odd! Are you a US citizen?

love2travel

That doesn't seem right, unless you are not a U.S. citizen.

naughtykitty94

wow...I knew they changed the law so you need one now to go to Mexico, but Hawaii? That does seem odd! Good Luck!

Macaw_Lover

To go to the US 50 states and St. Thomas only you do not need a passport. I know this for fact. I'm a travel agent and well this is my job =) who told you that you needed one? God I hope it wasn't a travel agent because if it was, I would find a new one! Obviously they don't know the rules all too well then.

Starting Jan. 8th 2007 it will be required to have a passport even for infants (childrenâ€™s passports aren't valid for as long and kids under 18 with them have to get a new one when they turn 18). So passport requirements that were not included in the past includes....Canada(even drive in fishing trips over the boarder starting Dec 26th 2007 which can change to of course), Mexico, Caribbean, S. America, Bermuda, Central America and of course the ones who have always needed them. Africa, Asia, Europe, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, etc. This also includes Puerto Rico and Guam even though they are US Territories you still now will need a passport. There has been a lot of confusion over this. People are assuming because them being a US Territory you donâ€™t need one. If you do not have proper documentation you will not board that flight and not even your travel agent can help you in this scenario.

They did this because passports are very difficult to forge as to where birth certificates and driverâ€™s licenses are actually quite easy to forge. Its security purposes and I for one am glad they are doing this it's been a long time coming! Customs can be a big hassle, believe me been through them enough times. So this should speed up customs a bit. Of course this varies depending on the number of flights coming in at any given time.

My advice is going out and getting one just to have one. They are a great form of identification if yours is ever lost or stolen and for adults they are good for 10 years. However a passport is kind of only good for 9 1/2 years considering it has to be valid for 6 months after the return of your last international trip. Hope that makes sense.

Passport waits are up very high right now because of these new documentation requirements so I advise for any who are planning on taking a winter holiday to go out and apply right away. You need to send in a birth certificate, but I wouldn't recommend sending your original. They are on a 10 week waiting list last I heard, however that varies depending on the place your application is sent because they process them at a few locations in the US. As long as you don't have an international stop on your way to Hawaii, which odds are you don't then you are fine?

Either way have a fantastic time on the islands! I highly suggest Maui, Kauai or the Big Island for a stay. If I can help you with anything further please just let me know.

iraq51

As long as you are departing from the US and arriving in Hawaii there is absolutely no requirement to use your passport or obtain one. There is no information as to this requirement on either the State Department or Homeland Security websites.

And if you want to cite the ultimate source to what ever ill-informed person told you this refer them to the US Constitution, Article IV, Section 2; Guarantees to States.

And in response to those proclaiming that if you leave the Continental US you need a passport that also is false. You can enter Canada, Mexico, US Territories and a few other countries without a Passport. You can even go to Antarctica without a passport as long as you land at one of the US research locations.

And flying over international waters directly to another state is also incorrect.

Now if you were flying into LA...

Enjoy your trip.

wing23ca

are you doing a straight flight or are you going to have a lay over anywhere that might not be considered US soil?

Mrsjvb

because as of the first of the year, a passport will be required to re enter CONUS from ANY port of entry, air, land and sea.

It has nothingt o do with being a citizen or the fact that you are going from one state to another.. its just to get you back into the continental US.

sage seeker

mrcma is correct. When in doubt about travel restrictions and requirements, always go to the State Dept.'s consulate site. It will tell you what is needed .No, you do not need a passport to travel to Hawaii....as mrcma stated. In fact you do not need one to travel to St .Thomas [US Virgin Islands]....Crossing 'so called international waters' is not what determines passport requirements.

Jamie M

If you are in the US and a US citizen you do not need a passport. I went in April. I flew from NC to Chicago to Maui, Hawaii. No passport was needed.

thisisnotdel

My guess is that Hawaii is much further in the west, and needs to get there by plane, even though it's a state in the U.S.A...

gardener24

anytime you go out of the continental US you have to get a passport... it's a hassle i know... but bc you are leaving the continental US that's why

â˜¼Myaâ˜¼

because you fly over the ocean. just a guess.

Mark

I'm not sure what states you're in, but you're not in the United States.

pomscutie

your leaving the country by traveling over international waters and then coming back in...

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