Passports required for air travel outside U.S. Published Jan. 11, 2007 By Tarsha Storey 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- U.S. citizens planning to travel by air outside of the United States must now have a U.S. passport, Merchant Mariner Document or a NEXUS Aircard, according to guidance released by the U.S. Department of State.This new guidance provides standardized, secure and reliable documentation for every American, according to the Changes to U.S. Passport Requirements Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Direct travel by U.S. citizens between the United States and the following territories will not be affected by this new requirement: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands and American Samoa, according to U.S. State Department officials. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty and traveling on official orders will be exempt from the passport requirement.To apply for a passport, citizens must do the following: -- Complete a passport application, Form DS-11 -- Present proof of citizenship by providing a previous U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state of the person's birth -- Present proof of identity either with a previous passport, naturalization certificate , current and valid driver's license, or a government issued city, state or federal ID or a military ID card-- Provide two identical and current color 2-by-2 inch photos, in normal street attire, full face front view with a plain white or off-white background. There must be between 1 and 1 and three-eighths inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head-- Pay a passport fee. For adults 16 and over, the passport application fee is $67 and the execution fee is $30; for children under 16, the passport application fee is $52 and the execution fee is $30. -- Provide a Social Security Number For more information on applying for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.