Are you planning to travel outside of the United States for your honeymoon? No matter the destination, you will need valid passports. The only exception is if you plan to go on a closed-loop cruise. Read on for a concise explanation of what is required to obtain a passport for a honeymoon.
Passport book vs. passport card
If you plan to travel by air, your only option is a passport book. However, if you will be traveling by land or sea to your honeymoon destination, you may only need a passport card, which is less expensive. Passport cards can be used to travel to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region.
One thing to consider is future travel plans. Even if you can use a passport card for your honeymoon, it would be in your best interest to obtain a passport book if you expect to be traveling to international destinations by air within the next 10 years. You can also request both the book and the card in a single application if you prefer.
What name to use for the passport
There really is no choice. The name on the passport application form must be your current legal name, not the future name you will take once you are married. Unless there is a significant gap between the wedding and the honeymoon, you will need to apply for a passport in your current name. You can apply for a passport name change after the honeymoon.
Please note that the ticket purchased for your honeymoon must have the same name as the name on your passport. This is required by the TSA Secure Flight Program. This means that you must make reservations in your name before the marriage.
Request the Passport
New passport applications must be submitted to a nearby passport office along with evidence of US citizenship, an identification document, a copy of your identification, and two passport photos. You pay an execution fee to the passport agent at the acceptance facility and mail the application fee with your packet to the Department of State.
Routine service usually takes 4-6 weeks. You can request expedited service to speed up the process. If you use this method, you should receive your passport within 2-3 weeks. Processing times may vary based on time of year, natural disasters, holidays and other factors.
If you need to get a honeymoon passport much faster, you can submit the application and other documents at a regional agency or hire a professional issuance service to do it for you. These are the fastest ways to get a passport. Of course, the extra time spent or extra fees paid probably pales in comparison to missing out on your honeymoon.
