Do I need a passport to go to Puerto Rico or St. Thomas?
U.S. citizens are welcome to travel to Puerto Rico without a passport. Puerto Rico is like any other state for Americans because it is a U.S. territory. Any form of government-issued identification, like a driver's license or state ID card, is sufficient for a trip to Puerto Rico.
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As a U.S. citizen, you do not need a passport to go to Puerto Rico. Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, it is considered a domestic destination for American citizens. This means that you can travel to Puerto Rico using only your valid government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or a state ID card.
United States citizens and permanent residents don't need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands. However, the Real ID Act will be in effect as of May 2025, so verify if your state is compliant with these laws because otherwise, you may need a passport to travel.
U.S. citizens coming from mainland destinations do not need passports to enter Puerto Rico. However, it is necessary to produce a government-issued photo ID to board a plane. Visitors from other countries, including Canada, need a valid passport to land in Puerto Rico.
All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.
In place of a passport, you can use WHTI-compliant documents like passport cards, trusted traveler's cards, and NEXUS cards. While these allow you to travel to these regions by sea and road, they are not acceptable for international flights.
If you only have an expired passport, you can still bring it along for domestic travel within the United States, but you must convince TSA officers that you are who you say you are. However, if you're traveling internationally, you must have a valid passport.