Do I need a passport to go to Hawaii?

Believe it or not one of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Hawaii is “Do I need a passport to visit Hawaii?”  If you are a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident, you don’t need a passport.

Hawaii is one of the 50 United States and therefore a passport is not required for US citizens and legal residents. For example, if you are a US citizen or legal US resident in New York, you don’t need a passport to fly to California or Texas or any US state, therefore you aren’t required to present a passport to visit Hawaii. Though US citizens and legal US residents don’t need a passport to fly to Hawaii, a government issued form of identification is required for anyone over the age of 18 as described at this TSA link

In late 2015 and early 2016, news outlets have been reporting about the potential need for U.S. citizens to use a “Real ID” for domestic air travel. To date, a Real ID is not required. Read frequently asked questions regarding Real IDs on the Homeland Security website.

Though U.S. citizens and legal residents don’t need a passport to travel to Hawaii, a government-issued photo identification is required for adult travelers age 18 and older. A couple of examples of government-issued photo identification include driver’s license and passport. See this TSA link for other valid forms of identification.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident, you are required to present a valid passport. For example, if you are a citizen of Australia and you visit Hawaii, you are required to present a valid Australian passport.  Here’s what the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says:

All international visitors regardless of country of origin must present a passport or secure document when entering the United States by air.

You can read more about the requirements for international visitors here.

Another helpful website for Hawaii travelers can be found at this link.

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