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What You Should Know About the new Passport Requirements
By: Crystal Fieber
Crystal.Fieber@wilaw.com
920.457.8400
If you are planning to travel to Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, or Bermuda anytime in the future, you should be aware of the new passport restrictions.
Beginning January 23, 2007, U.S. citizens traveling by air into the United States from Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda must present a passport at the U.S. point of entry. Nexus cards, for Nexus members who frequently travel to and from Canada, and U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Documents continue to serve as valid documentation.
These new restrictions come from The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which mandates that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State develop and implement requirements for all travelers entering the United States from the Western Hemisphere. This initiative implements the mandate and strengthens border security by requiring standardized documentation for traveler identification.
Current routine passport application processing times are listed at ten to twelve weeks, but the Department of State urges citizens to apply early if they plan to travel abroad. Travelers who have planned air travel to one of the affected locations but have not received their passports before their scheduled departures may present government-issued photo identification and proof of their passport application when re-entering the United States. Children under 16 years of age traveling with parents must also present the proof of application. Children under 16 who are traveling alone must carry a birth certificate, baptismal record, or hospital record of birth as well as their proof of passport application. This accommodation to U.S. Citizens is valid only through September 30, 2007 after which time air travelers must have their passports to enter the country.
As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens may need to present a passport upon return to the United States by land or sea from the aforementioned locations. Although legislation dictates that the new travel requirements must be in effect by June 1, 2009, the Department of Homeland Security is working to implement the new requirements for land and sea travel by January 1, 2008.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative does not affect travel between the United States and its territories.
For more information on obtaining a U.S. passport or obtaining proof of a passport application, visit travel.state.gov or call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
*All information appearing in this article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader. Do not act upon any information contained in this article without seeking professional legal counsel.
