Passports
One of the most commonly asked questions by Alaska travelers concerns the requirements for passports. Passports have long been required for international travelers entering Alaska from foreign countries. US citizens that travel in Alaska are not required to have in their possession a US passport, although a passport is always a useful piece of identification for any traveler. One of the issues that Alaska travelers must consider, is that Alaska shares a common border with Canada, which is a separate and independent country. US travelers passing through Canada have not been required to have a passport in their possession, however, recent legislation has changed this requirement. It is anticipated that beginning in 2008, US travelers, including children, traveling between Alaska and Canada via land or sea will be required to have in their possession a current US passport. For information on how to get a passport, click here.
What does this mean for Alaska travelers?
On January 8, 2007, all travelers, including US citizens, will be required to have a passport to travel by air between the United States and Canada. This would include:
Air travel from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada to any Alaska destination
Beginning in 2008, all travelers, including US citizens, will be required to have a passport to do the following:
Drive to Alaska from the contiguous United States (aka Lower 48 States) Use the Alaska Marine Highway Service ferry to travel to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada Drive to Haines, Alaska from Southcentral Alaska Travel from Skagway, to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada Travel from Fairbanks to Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada
Additional Information Links
US Department of Homeland Security - Passport Requirements State of Alaska Customs Information Canada Border Services Agency
RESERVATIONS CALL TOLL FREE: 1-888-655-4020 VISITORS INFORMATION CALL: 1-907-929-2822 E-MAIL TO: avc@alaska.net
Alaska Visitors Center 733 West 4th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501
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