Bermuda Passport Requirements: Do I Need a Passport to Go to Bermuda?

Although Bermuda may be closer to your home city than many other places in the U.S., it’s still a sovereign nation with its own passport requirements. For U.S. citizens, a valid passport book with at least one blank page for an entry stamp is mandatory to visit if you arrive in the country by air; a passport card can be used to enter Bermuda on a closed-loop cruise (a round-trip cruise that departs and returns to the same U.S. port) but a passport will be needed if an emergency flight is required. Proof of a return ticket or travel beyond the island are among the additional Bermuda passport requirements you need to know about.

Bermuda Passport Requirements

A valid passport book is required to enter Bermuda and to re-enter the United States by air. A birth certificate, government-issued photo ID, or passport card will not be enough to gain access into the country if international air travel is involved; leave those at home and obtain a valid passport book for your Bermuda travels instead.

How to Get a Passport to Go to Bermuda

Apply for a passport as soon as you know you’ll be traveling to Bermuda. It’ll cost more if you wait until the last minute to apply for a passport book. For information about the documents needed to obtain a U.S. passport, go to USA.gov.

Additional Bermuda Travel Requirements

Visa: You do not need a visa to go to Bermuda if you are a U.S. citizen.

Vaccinations: No specific vaccinations are required to visit Bermuda.

What to Do If You Lose Your Passport in Bermuda

If you lose your passport in Bermuda, report the loss immediately to the U.S. Consulate General Hamilton.

So, Do I Need a Passport to Visit Bermuda?

In summary: Yes, Bermuda passport requirements state that U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book with at least one blank page for an entry stamp to enter the country by air. A passport card may be used if you arrive on a closed-loop cruise that departs and returns to the same U.S. port, but a passport book will be necessary if an emergency flight is needed.

Proof of a return ticket or travel beyond the island are also required when visiting the island.

More Information When Visiting Bermuda

The U.S. Department of State provides detailed information, including travel advisories and passport validity requirements, to your destination.

For information on how to apply or renew a passport, visit here.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority is a great resource for things to do and places to stay, as well as everything you need to know before you go when planning a trip to Bermuda.

Protect Your Passport

We recommend investing in a passport cover or wallet to protect your pages from bends, tears and spills. It’s important to keep your passport in good condition for easy inspection. 

On travel days, only take your passport out during inspection. Otherwise, keep it stowed away in a dedicated section of your bag (if you keep it in the same place every time, you won’t ever scramble to locate it). Once you arrive at your destination, find a way to stow it securely. In-room safes or safe deposit boxes at the hotel front desk are generally good options, but if neither is available, you’ll need to decide how to keep your passport secure. You might consider keeping it in an under-clothing money belt that you wear, or leaving it in the hotel or vacation rental but locking it in your suitcase with a TSA-approved lock.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 5 Exotic Places Where You Don’t Need a Passport
• How to Renew a Passport, Global Entry, and TSA PreCheck—The Ultimate Guide
• How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.