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 to visit Hawaii. 
Hawaii is one of the 50 United States and therefore a passport is not required for citizens and legal residents of the United States of America.
Passports are not required for going from state to state. 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 other state in the USA. Therefore citizens and legal residents 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.
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 years 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.
In late 2015, 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. The most recent estimate of when a REAL ID will required is May 7, 2025.
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.
We have closed comments to this post. If your question is not answered from reading this article as well as the informative links we’ve included, we are unlikely to be able to answer your question.
Sheila Beal
25 comments
Is it true that I will need to get vaccinated to protect the local Hawaii population?
I heard that there are about 50 shots in all which are administered in stomach and kidney areas of the body. Is this true?
Do I need to go to my bank to exchange my money for Hawaiian currency? I heard the current exchange rate is 3 Puka shells to 1 US Dollar.
what the fudge is wrong with you Hawaii is part of the USA!!!! We do NOT use “puka shells” as currency! You don’t even need a passport to come here. what did you learn in social studies? are you trying to be funny and act like a total idiot?!!! And what is up with the 50 shots in the kidney and stomach?! That is just not natural or even possible. as a person who lives in Hawaii, I am very offended!
Kalani- Dave is 100% KIDDING!
@ Dave – hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha and hahahahahahahahahahahahah and hahahahahahahahahaha 🙂
Certain minimum standards of knowledge are required to not be a harm to yourself and one of them is this knowledge concerning a passport.
Aloha,
Keahi
Hawaii is part of the United States? People are way too friendly there, there’s no possible way. 🙂
@ Keahi – your comment reminded me of a slogan my alma mater (NCSU) used to have: “Knowledge is the prey. We are the hunters.”
@ jim – haha…’tis true, I promise. 🙂
The ONLY time you would need a passport when going to Hawaii is if you take a cruise that will stop off at a foreign country while coming or going to the isles. I’ve seen several cruises that make stops at Vancouver or Mexico.
Dave- the current exchange rate is 10 puka shells to the dollar. But changes daily with today’s economy.
wow Hawaii is a part if the U.S and you don’t need puka shells to use as money here we use real money and not shells why would you even think that!!!
@ Joanne – thanks for adding that point about needing a passport if you arrive in a cruise from a foreign country.
@ justin – Ha! That much, eh? 🙂
I thought I’d add these comments from another post since they fit into this conversation.
“Can anyone tell me if you can travel into Hawaii with only one month left on your passport”
This was my response:
“I think the answer to your question depends on your country of residence. If you are a US citizen, you aren’t required to present a passport to visit Hawaii.
If you are visiting Hawaii from outside the US, the answer depends on your country of citizenship. To best answer your question, contact the US Embassy location nearest you. Here’s a link to find your nearest location: http://www.usembassy.gov/“
Can a resident from California travel to Hawaii with no passport via air
Yes, however you will need a valid government-issued photo identification.
@Sheila Beal.
The only identification I have is a mexican passport, ive used it to travel via air to las vegas, los angeles and many other places no troubles at all. It has always been a dream to me to visit Hawaii but my friends keep telling me it’s risky to fly there only with mexican passport. Any advice?
Traveling to Hawaii is just the same as traveling to California or Nevada or any other state.
I’m in the same situation did you end up going ? To Hawaii ? I’m looking fwd going on my birthday but I just have the Mexican passport ?
Aloha! Hawaii truly sounds like a great place to visit, explore & surf! Which is exactly what I am looking for. I have a Lithuanian passport, which allows me to stay in Hawaii for 90 days only. I am planning to come to get a “life in Hawaii” experience. Any of you know if it is possible to get a job, rent a place to live at if I am planning to stay there for 90 days only.. I mean is it hard to get employed in my case (anywhere)?
Looking forward to explore these magical Hawaii islands.
Simmona – you should carefully research rules for visas and visiting the United States of America. To our knowledge, employment is not allowed under a 90 day visa.
I m residents of new York but I have not gotten my residence card at i apply last October still on on my hands but I have government issue new York ID even work permit with me do there for could I can go to Hawaii with new york ID and come back to home nyc any problems?
Check the TSA for acceptable documentation.
A passport is not required as long as your flight to Hawaii originates in the U.S.A. and your exit flight out of there is destined for somewhere in the U.S.A. That includes Alaska, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
However, a passport is required if you are arriving from Canada or any other foreign country, whether you are a foreign or an American citizen or resident.
If arriving by cruise ship that is stopping in Canada or Mexico, that is an important issue. The cruise ship will require that you have a passport before you are allowed to board the ship.
Be aware that if you are traveling from somewhere in the U.S.A. aviation security regulations require that you bring some form of government issued identification. That can be a drivers license, state identification card, or military ID, or passport. Make sure that the name on your boarding pass exactly matches the name on your identification. The TSA authorities have become strict about this.
Hi ,wanted to see if anyone knew if i need a passport for the military base.Wandering if the rules apply the same as washington.
Thanks so much from st.louis
hello..I’m planning to go to Hawaii in November…is still available driver’s license..or I need a passport?
It depends on if you are a US citizen or legal US resident or not. Read the article.
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