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Comments (4)
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Save/ShareAs of October 1, 2007, every citizen flying home to the U.S. needs a passport, even if you're returning from a quickie getaway to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, or the Caribbean.
The rules are different if you're driving across the border (such as from Canada) or sailing a cruise ship. You won't need a passport for those trips—for a while. [UPDATE 1/3/2008: A new rule is expected to go into effect by summer 2009. That rule may require U.S. citizens present a passport or a passport card when crossing the Canadian border and when doing other land/sea border entries. Until then, you won't need a passport.]
Yet today at land and sea entry points, the best way to avoid border hassles is to show an original copy of a citizenship document, such as a birth certificate, and a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license. Just showing a passport will also do the trick. Citizens may soon be required to show these documents, if new rules go into effect, as expected, on January 31, 2008.
For most Americans, the biggest adjustment will be for travelers to Canada and for cruise-goers whose ships sail into international waters. In the past, you could re-cross the border by car from Canada, or disembark from a cruise ship at a U.S. port, simply by saying you were a citizen and answering some questions. Now the rules noted above apply. [No passport is required, however, when traveling to Puerto Rico because it's a U.S. territory.]
A note about children: U.S. citizens aged 15 and under who are traveling by air need passports. But if they're traveling by land or sea, passports are not necessary. A certified copy of the child's birth certificate is highly recommended, though. And if you're a divorced parent, you are advised to show documentation proving you have custody of the child.
Many post offices have been set up to accept passport applications. Bring your application to a a post office or official passport processing center, with proof of citizenship, photo ID, two photos, and $97. As a general rule, allow about three months from application to receive your passport. The Postal Service website offers a passport application.
Full passport rules at the U.S. State Department's website and the Department of Homeland Security's website.
One more note of caution: If you don't have enough blank pages in your passport, or if it expires in six months or less, some countries won't let you in. Check the rules at the website of the embassy of the country you're visiting. Find websites and more info by visiting state.gov/travel.
RELATED INFO FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: What are the visa rules again?
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Thanks Binladin, You have totally scewed up our so called freedom! I hope they find you soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have succeeded in changing everything held dear to us The citizens of the USA You SOB!
Posted By Ron on November 8, 2007, 12:47 PM
Read some history Ron.
Every totalitarian country has used excuses to impose tyranny in the past.
The USSA has been become more totalitarian every year since it's inception, Though still very free until FDR's reign.
Bin Laden is simply one of the current excuses used to impose the government's will on the American sheeple.
The US people have the government they deserve.
If you want your freedom back you can always do what I, and 500,000 other Americans did last year.
Leave and find a free place to live.
There are plenty of truly free countries all over the world.
Posted By Rich on November 8, 2007, 8:41 PM
I would be very surprised if whatever free country you wanted to enter would let you in without a passport; the US has been light years behind the rest of the world in this respect. Requiring passports of people entering the country is not oppression, it is standard procedure around the world. Wake up and start acting like a responsible adult and not like a spoiled baby; it is exactly this apparent unconcern with border security which has invited in terrorists and illegal immigrants. The 'ME' generation is so over.
Posted By trcruiser on November 8, 2007, 10:59 PM
tCruiser- I agree, passports have been the norm for years, although in Europe, the EU has meant a move towards standardized passports for more 'free access' this same organization is criticized for big brother behaviour, something that I know is a common accusation against the US. Here in NA we've had some very serious infringments on our personal privacy post 9/11, but I don't think that passports are part of this.
Posted By Katy on November 9, 2007, 9:43 AM