Thanks to the Intelligence and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004,
the cost of a Baja cruise, a Bahamas honeymoon, or a Vancouver theater
weekend will be going up. The security-related changes will affect all
Americans who travel to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico
and Canada by requiring them to have a passport to enter or re-enter the
United States.
In order to begin the implementation of this new
requirement, the government is proposing to complete it in phases
following a proposed time line. Beginning December 31, 2006, the
passport requirement ($97 for adults, $82 for children under the age of
16) will be applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico,
Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. On December 31,
2007 the new passport requirements will be widened to ALL land border
crossings as well as air and sea travel.
This is a major change
from previous travel requirements and will affect all United States
citizens entering the U.S. from countries within the Western Hemisphere
who do not currently possess valid passports. This additional
requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are
not required to present a passport to the U.S.
A passport is an
internationally recognized travel document which confirms the identity
and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to
enter and leave most foreign countries, and only the U.S. Department of
State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States
passports.
To obtain a U.S. passport for the first time, you need
to personally visit one of the 7,000 passport acceptance facilities
which include many local post offices, Federal and state courts, county
courthouses, clerks of court, and a growing number of libraries and
public colleges. For the location of the passport office closest to you,
search by ZIP code on the State Department website at http://www.iafdb.travel.state.gov
When
you go to the passport acceptance facility you will need to bring two
identical 2-by-2 inch, full-face, front-view photographs, and a
completed DS-11 application form (available from one of the facilities).
In addition, you will need a driver's license or government-issued ID
card and proof of American citizenship, which in most cases, is an
original or certified birth certificate. U.S passport are good for ten
years, and renewals, which can be done by mail or online cost $67 for
both children and adults.
The average time from application to
passport arrival is six to eight weeks, and passport demand usually
heightens during the summer months so plan accordingly and apply as soon
as possible.
After you have received your passport, remember to
sign it in ink and print your name and address on it so it may be
returned to you if it is ever lost or misplaced. Best wishes for happy
traveling!
For an embassy filled with free, useful and current resources,
tips, advice and suggestions about passports, visit
[http://www.PassportDesk.com]
