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***image1***Interested in doing some traveling while stationed here in Germany? Do you have the proper documents to travel?
Active duty members stationed in Germany are not required to have a passport. However, individuals who would like to travel to other European countries may need one.
Different countries have different requirements: for example, France will not allow U.S. military members to cross their borders without valid leave orders. Before purchasing travel tickets or heading out on the road, check out the Department of Defense Foreign Clearance Guide at www.fcg.pentagon.mil/ for the specific requirements of the country you wish to visit.
For active duty members, PCS orders are your authorization to reside in Germany. Carrying PCS orders along with your tourist passport and valid ID card is highly recommended.
Command sponsored military dependents, however, are required to carry no-fee passports, which hold a Status of Forces Agreement stamp.
Military dependents should have their no-fee passports prior to arriving in Germany.
If you arrive on station without obtaining a no-fee passport, you will need to obtain a temporary 90-day SOFA card while your application for your no-fee passport is processed.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, we will issue a SOFA card in your host-nation passport.
Air Force dependents in need of a no-fee passport can place an order at the Ramstein Passport Office at 480-2240. Army dependents can visit the passport office in Bldg. 3245 at Kleber Kaserne or call 483-8892 for more information.
But don’t forget about licensing issues – getting in country is just one part of the journey. According to the vehicle operations office on Ramstein, travelers should have an international driver’s license when driving in other countries.
AE Pamphlet 190-34 and USAFE Pamphlet 31-206 state that individuals are strongly encouraged to obtain an international driver’s license before driving outside Germany.
For more information, call vehicle operations at 480-5534 or visit http://rmv.hqusareur.army.mil.
Drivers can also apply for international driver’s licenses in the town they live in.
As of Oct. 10, a biometric photo is needed for driver’s licenses.
For details, call the chief of the Kaiserslautern drivers permit office, Stefan Schmitt, at 0631-365-2913 or e-mail stefan.schmitt@kaiserslautern.de.
(The 435th Air Base Wing public Affairs office contributed to this article.)
