travel after the oath ceremoney

[johndi2107 0]

Not sure if this is the correct place, if not, please inform me so I can move it to the appropriate forum.

I got my oath ceremony finished back in June 2014 but haven't applied for Passport.

I am planning to travel to Puerto Rico with my girl friend in September for touring but need advise.

Is it really TRUE that I don't need anything other than my driver's license as far as legal documents?

And should I also bring my naturalization certificate? I know I probably shouldn't since it is the only proof for me being a US Citizen if I lost it. My gf is not a US Citizen but has proper documents.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

I guess my concern is if I just bring my driver's license how do they know I am a US Citizen because the requirements states that "there is no passport requirement for U.S. citizens for direct travel between the mainland United States and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands."

My argument is that I got my driver's license before I was a US Citizen and I did gone to the DMV and update my status and everything but there goes my argument.

Edited July 15, 2014 by johndi2107

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Be smart, apply for the passport - you'll have it by Sept and you could expedite if it seems better.

They tell you at your citizenship ceremony that you cannot travel using your citizenship certificate alone - why chance it?

[johndi2107 0]

yea that is my concern & i dont want to take any chances!!

[dioxide45 25]

Puerto Rico is a US Territory, you can travel there using your Drivers Licence only. Just like if you fly from Ohio to Utah. You are never questioned about your citizenship. A natural born US citizen is not questioned about their citizenship when traveling between US states and territories. Carrying your Passport to travel to Puerto Rico may be unnecessary and risking possibly losing it unnecessarily. If they ask you for proof of US citizenship, there would be a lot of other US citizens that wouldn't be able to show it either because citizens are not required to carry proof. Permanent Residents are required to carry their Alien Registration Card, though you are not a Permanent Resident any longer.

That said, I agree that you should get your passport. Though you don't need it to travel to Puerto Rico. Though if you are going on a cruise out of Puerto Rico, perhaps getting it would be a good idea, even if it is a closed loop cruise.

[JimmyHou 611]

The other posters are right, you don't need a passport (although I think you should get one).

Here's the info from the Department of State.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/news/important-travel-information-on-puerto-rico.html

[johndi2107 0]

again that is the only thing i m not sure though I am going to apply for the passport in the mean time. We are planning to fly from the states directly to and from Puerto Rico. But thank you all for the answers.

[Mistere 13]

Just like going to Hawaii, they don't ask for passport.

[Buckyball 22]

You are fine with the drivers license. But I would strongly suggest to get a US Passport which is a good proof of US Citizenship in case your naturalization certificate somehow disappears.