Thanks to the Intelligence and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the cost of a Caribbean cruise, an Aruban honeymoon, or a Toronto 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 facilitate 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 passport requirement will be extended 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 new 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 which verifies 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, nationwide, 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 visit 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.
Don't wait to get a passport--apply for one now! The average time from application to passport arrival is six to eight weeks, and passport demand heightens during the summer months so plan accordingly.
When you receive 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!
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