Leaving USA for Aruba in 7 days, do we need a passport to enter Aruba, or just for our return into US?

Question

We ordered the passports over 9 weeks ago, and at that point they were saying 6 to maybe 8 weeks. I got mine this week. Now we have one week left before our flight, and my hubby's is still not here. We have asked for a "rush" on it, but they say that is not a guarantee it will be here. My hubby said he will leave without it and then have it Fedex'ed to us there, but I am not sure we can do that???

Answer 1

You will need your passport to check in for both your departing and returning flight. The reason you need your passport for your departure flight is that you need to prove your citizenship. You might be able to get back with your birth certificate for now (since the rules don't change until Jan 1, 2008) but why take the chance.

I'll cross my fingers for you that your husband's passport comes soon.......have a great trip!

Answer 2

Depending on where you live there are some locations to get a passport in just one day. This will mean you have to spend the whole day in the passport office. Locations that I know of are Washington DC and New York. Below is the information from the state dept. web site.

ARUBA - Passport or proof of U.S. citizenship (original official birth or naturalization certificate and photo ID) required. Visa not required for tourist/business visit of up to 90 days. Proof of onward/return ticket or sufficient funds for stay may be required. Airport facility charge is $32, paid upon departure. Fee is included in tickets purchased in the U.S. HIV test required for intending immigrants. For more information, consult the Royal Netherlands Embassy (202/244-5300), or nearest Consulate General: CA (310/266-1598), FL (786/866-0480), IL (312/856-0110) or NY (212/246-1429).

Answer 3

I just went to Aruba in December and I only used my birth certificate but alot of the laws have changed since then... I think you need a passport to get in and out of the country now.

Answer 4

The current US rule is you can't even get on the jet for an international flight unless you have a passport. It doesn't matter if you are coming or going. What good is only checking half the flights for terrorists? (Not that I am sure that passport checks stops them anyway.)

Answer 5

Have you called the office and personally spoke with someone. Ours were late and when I called I was told that if it had not left the office in 2 days it would be overnited at their cost. But the PP is correct you cannot even get on an international plane without it. I hope it arrives soon. I would call the office and raise H*ll till I got results, ask to speak with a supervisor.

Answer 6

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

Answer 7

you need a passport to enter back into the US. Birth certificates are no longer acceptable. I believe you can have it express delivered BUT the package itself still needs to go through customs, which may take longer. Contact FEDEX or UPS, dhl and see what policy they have about express/overnight packages.