Can you use the passport card for travel to the Bahamas?

Question: I'm traveling from metro Detroit to The Bahamas. Do I need a passport book or passport card?

Answer: The Bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship (e.g., birth certificate) and identity (e.g., valid driver's license) in order to enter The Bahamas. However, the U.S. government requires that Americans have a valid passport in order to re-enter the United States.

Americans may enter the Unites States from The Bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document if they are on an officially-designated “closed-loop cruise”.

All U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport book in order to enter or re-enter the United States when traveling by air.

Application Form DS-11 can be used in order to apply for a passport book, passport card or both. For complete instructions and a link to download the form, click the link below.

How to Apply for a New Passport