NEW PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS

(Updated as-of 21 January 2008)

   The United States government's "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)" will require U.S. Citizens to present a valid U.S. passport  (or in some instances certain alternative documents that verify U.S. citizenship) to ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) agents in order to enter or re-enter the United States from Mexico and Canada, as well as other countries in the western hemisphere.

As-of this posting, the new rules are to become effective as follows:

23 January 2007 - All Persons (including U.S. Citizens) are required to present a valid U.S. passport upon entering or re-entering the United States when traveling by air.

31 January 2008 - U. S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a valid U.S. or Canadian passport, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, plus proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate upon entering or re-entering the United States when traveling by land or sea.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.

The Passport Card:  U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for this new, limited use, wallet-size passport card beginning February 1, 2008.  Cards should be available and mailed to applicants in the spring of 2008.  When available it will only be valid for land or sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda.

 *  None of the new WHTI rules have any effect on the existing requirements for U.S. and Canadian citizens entering Mexico or Canada from the United States.

 *  There may be some changes to the requirements, as they are currently stated, prior to their becoming effective.  You may visit the U.S. Department of State website for the most current information at:   http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html

   There may be a big rush for passport and passport card applications near the end of the anticipated effective dates.  I would suggest that everyone who wishes to obtain a U.S. passport and/or passport card make application as soon as possible.  You may apply for passports at most U.S.  Post Offices, and at U.S. Consulates.

   The total cost is around one hundred dollars for passports, and they are valid for ten years.

The cost of the "passport card" is approximately forty-five dollars, and I am not sure of the amount of time they will remain valid.