Do you need a passport to travel to Hawaii? Well, that depends on whether or not you’re a Hawaiian citizen a visitor or an American. However, the same rules that apply to visitors, even those who are US citizens, still apply to you: make sure you have your green card and your passport with you at all times when traveling outside of the United States or to any other island nation. If you’re a visitor or a non-citizen, then you don’t need to get a passport.
But if you’re a Hawaiian citizen by birth, then the question should be, “Do I need a passport to travel to Hawaii?” Although technically, your birth certificate will serve as your passport, the state of Hawaii has different requirements. For example, in order to become a Hawaiian resident, you have to be at least 18 years old, and a US citizen. This is one of the few states in the United States which requires proof of citizenship.
So, when it comes down to it, do I need a passport to travel to Hawaii? Not really. If you’re traveling to the islands as a tourist, then there’s no reason for you to need one – but if you plan on visiting or staying in Hawaii long term, you’ll want to be prepared. In order to obtain a US citizen, or a green card, you will have to attend an interview at the nearest U.S. consulate, fill out a form, and provide proof of identification.
Once you meet all of these conditions, it’s time to apply for your Hawaii passport. One of the first things you will need to do is find out what your options are. Most hotels in Hawaii require that you show proof of identification, so chances are your passport will be required also. Fortunately, many hotels and cruise lines offer free check-ins on cruises – so this should not prove to be a problem. It’s important to remember, however, that you can’t bring a check with you into any Hawaii hotel. In order to get your passport, you will need to visit the nearest embassy and fill out an application.
If you wish to get a Hawaii green card, you will also need to obtain a Hawaii driver’s license. Without a driver’s license in hand, it will be difficult to obtain a Hawaiian visa. Before you decide whether or not you need to apply for a Hawaii passport, make sure that you have all of the necessary documents in hand. For example, if you wish to drive to Hawaii, you must have your state driver’s license in addition to the other requirements outlined above. Otherwise, you could risk your entire stay being denied.
Unfortunately, the requirements for a valid passport and a Hawaii driver’s license differ slightly from each state. For example, in Hawaii you must have a birth certificate, and in some states you must also have a copy of your US passport or a US green card. As long as you have these things in order, you should not run into any problems when applying for your Hawaii real ID. Keep in mind, though, that without a real ID you will most likely be denied entry. Fortunately, there are other ways that you can get around this problem. You can talk to a recruiter at your college or get a temporary license from the Honolulu Tourism Authority.
If you do decide to fly without a Hawaii photo identification card or without proof of citizenship (if you currently don’t have one), then you might want to consider taking a Hawaii driver’s license class. Even though you may not have a full understanding of how to use a license, it will give you enough knowledge to at least be able to get to the airport and pick up your ticket. The class is typically offered at community colleges and is not expensive. It will also help you gain the experience of getting traffic tickets and parking your car in a different place in the future.
If you do end up needing both a Hawaii photo identification card and a passport when you travel to Hawaii, don’t worry. Just keep in mind that no one needs a Hawaii driver’s license to get a Hawaii permanent resident card. Permanent residents have a standing invitation from the federal government to live and work in Hawaii for a fixed period of time. Once the time expires, they become an American citizen with the right to vote. Although you do not have to have a Hawaii permanent resident card to visit the islands, many people choose to obtain one so that they do not have to show proof of citizenship every time they leave the country. You may also choose to obtain one just for your own personal reasons so that you can vacation to Hawaii whenever you want without having to worry about traveling under the passport requirements.