A Checklist of Important Travel Documents

When going on a trip, your destination will affect the kinds of documents you need to prepare for a smooth-sailing journey. It is always great to have a checklist of the things you need to bring, including travel documents. Missing out any of the important paperwork can end you up going back home earlier than planned, or worse charged with illegal migration. Therefore, to avoid such scenarios, it is best to know the types of papers required for your trip.

Passport is perhaps the most common travel document. It is issued for international trips by your local government certifying your identity and nationality. While it is best to make a copy of this document, note that some laws prohibit travellers to reproduce colour copies, or list passport number and issuing location.

Another valuable document is visa, an entry pass to another country. It shows that your entry to a specific destination has been reviewed and approved by that country's embassy or consulate. Visas come in many forms, depending on your purpose of visit - study, work, travel, etc.

Other travel documents you need to bring and make a copy of are driver's license, birth certificate, marriage certificate, power of attorney document, naturalisation papers, insurance papers, adoption papers if travelling with adopted kids, credit cards, and other valid identification papers.

When an entity, say a hotel staff, asks for a copy of any of your documents, do not readily hand them the originals. Keep sensitive information to yourself, such as details of your bank accounts and credit cards. Finally, do not forget to bring your itinerary, as well as brochures, business cards or contact information of individuals and businesses you need to keep in touch with during your trip.