So, you’ve decided to have a destination wedding? Fabulous!! Now, let’s get to the basics. If you are living in the U.S. and planning a wedding outside the U.S. border, you will need a passport.  Keep in mind, the passport requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens traveling or returning from a U.S. territory which includes Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Passports are issued to U.S. citizens by the US Department of State and are required to enter and leave countries outside of the United States. As of January 23, 2007, this now includes Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. You will also be required to present your passport to re-enter the United States after your destination wedding or honeymoon.

New Application for a U.S. Passport

To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to an issuing office. To find the closest location and download the application form, go to the US Department of State.

Here’s the documentation you will need:

• Two photographs of yourself
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Valid form of photo identification such as a drivers license

In the past it has taken an average of 10-12 weeks to process a new passport application. I strongly recommend that you apply early. There are passport expediation services out there, but they can be pricey and are not always guaranteed.

Renewal of a U.S. Passport

Most passports can be renewed by mail, but there are exceptions including:

• a damaged or altered passport,
• a passport that was issued more than 15 year prior,
• a passport that was issued to you when you were under 16 years of age and
• a passport that was issued under a different name.

Remember, if you already have a passport, PLEASE be sure to double-check the expiration date. And be sure to remind your guests to do the same. There are so many sad stories of wedding guests who were ready to travel to a destination wedding and they didn’t realize until the last minute, that their passports had expired. There are some passport expediting services out there, but they can be costly and their services are not always guaranteed.

photo by jaaron