Monday, December 08, 2008

Show Your Passport at the Border We've been getting a lot of calls at the National Contact Center about the new passport requirements that take effect on June 1, 2009. People want to apply for or renew a passport now because these new requirements state U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico and Canada will be required to present a passport or passport card to enter or re-enter the U.S. on June 1. Currently you only need a passport to enter or re-enter the U.S. from a border country by air, but the new requirements will require a passport or passport card to enter or re-enter by land, sea and air. If you don't have a passport, I suggest you get one ASAP because it could be cheaper, you'll get it quicker and you'll save yourself some headaches. Earlier this year, I found out first hand that passport fees can rise at the beginning of the year. I know from past experience that processing times will take longer as the deadline approaches and you don't want to pay extra money to expedite your passport. The current routine processing time for passports is three weeks. Here are the new rules from the Department of State: On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document. Please Note: Children under age 16 will be able to continue crossing land & sea borders using only a U.S. birth certificate (or naturalization certificate) after the new law takes effect in June. The original birth certificate or a copy may be used. See the Department of Homeland Security's Ready, Set.. Go! for more information on the changing travel requirements. The good news is if you're going directly to Puerto Rico or another of the U.S. territories, they're considered part of the U.S., so you don't need a passport! Makes a great case for visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands! - Jake [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 10:20:39 AM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 1/2/2009; 2:24:06 PM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien