TRAVELER’S CHECKLIST
Do I have:
U.S. Passport or other recommended ID for U.S.
citizens? (Carry it; do not pack it). www.travel.state.
gov.

Green Card (Form I-551) or document for Lawful
Permanent Residents? (Advance Parole if LPR
status is pending) www.uscis.gov. Failure to have
Form I-551 or document for lawful permanent
residents could result in a $545 waiver fee.

Notarized travel permission letters for minors
traveling without their parents?

Entry documentation for the country(s) I will be
visiting? (Is a Visa required?) www.state.gov. and
search for “visa”.

Only the medication that I need for my trip and
in its original container?

Receipts or registration paperwork (CBP Form
4457) for any new electronics, such as a camera
or laptop, that I’m taking with me? (Only suggested
if traveling with recently purchased goods.
Not necessary for goods more than 6 months
old.)

Proof of Rabies vaccinations for my dog if they
are traveling with me? (Recommended but not
required for cats. Check for requirements regarding
other pets.) www.aphis.usda.gov and search for
“pet travel”.

Permits and/or certificates if bringing restricted
animal and plant commodities regulated by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and plant
Health Inspection Service.

Appraisals or receipts if I’m traveling with a lot of
new jewelry?

Valid driver’s license? Do I need an international
driver’s license in the country I am visiting? www.
thenac.com/international_driving_permit.pdf or www.aaa.
com.

An envelope to put all the receipts for my purchases?
(This will make filling out the CBP
declaration easier.)

Preparing To Return To The United States
When you return, you will need to declare everything
you brought back that you did not take with you
when you left the United States.
You may be asked to
fill out a CBP declaration form.
You will probably find
it easier and faster to fill out your declaration form and clear CBP if you do the following:
• Keep your sales slips.
• Try to pack the things you’ll need to declare separately.
• Read the signs in the arrival area.
Documents You Will Need To Enter The United States

All persons including citizens of the United States
traveling by air between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the
Caribbean and Bermuda will have to present a passport,
Merchant Mariner Document (presented by U.S. citizen
merchant mariners traveling on official business)
or
NEXUS Card, NEXUS enrollment is limited to citizens
of the United States and Canada, and lawful permanent
residents of the United States and Canada.

Children will be required to present their own passport.

Beginning June 1, 2009, ages 16 and older will be
required to present documents from one of the options
below when entering the United States at land or sea
ports of entry.
Children under may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.

One of the following documents may be presented to prove both identity and citizenship:
• U.S. Passport;
• U.S. Passport Card;*
• Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST);*
• State issued Enhanced Driver’s License (when available
this secure driver’s license will denote identity
and citizenship);*
• Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available);*
• U.S. Military identification with Military Travel
Orders;
• U.S. Merchant Marine document;
• Form I-872 American Indian Card.

A complete guide to U.S. Government travel and security requirements can be downloaded free HERE, save a copy of the pdf file to your computer, it should then be printed  and carried with you for easy reference.