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New Passport Requirements







This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States
citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere
who do not currently possess valid passports.

AIR TRAVEL

ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present
a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL

The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland
Security’s website.

CURRENTLY:

All U.S. citizens must show proof of identity and proof of U.S. citizenship when
entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the countries of the
Caribbean by land or sea.

Acceptable documents include: U.S. Passport Book, U.S. Passport Card, or other
document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. citizens who do not have a single document verifying identity and citizenship
must present both an identification and citizenship document; for example, a driver’s
license and a copy of a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.


LATER:
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the
land and sea phase of 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 other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.


CHILDREN: U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the
original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a
naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

Groups of U.S. citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or
religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter under adult
supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates or other proof of
citizenship. See the Department of Homeland Security's GetYouHome.gov for more
information on the changing travel requirements.



Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or
returning directly from a U.S. territory.


U.S. PASSPORT AND WHTI COMPLIANT DOCUMENTS:

U.S.Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air,
land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere
countries.

The Passport Card: Passport card applications are currently being accepted in
anticipation of land border travel document requirements. Based on current
projections, we expect the passport card to be in full production beginning in July
2008. We will provide additional updates as available. Once in production, the
passport card it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda.

WHTI-Compliant Travel Documents for U.S. citizen travel via land or sea, as of
January 31, 2008:
Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
State Issued Enhanced Driver's License (when available)
Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)
U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime
business
Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
Form I-872 American Indian Card


For additional information or questions please access the U.S Department of State:

www.travel.state.gov/passport
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