Passports and Travel

[Sea Draggin]

I just received the following from the travel agent. I thought you pretty much always needed a passport to come and go, but for whatever reason they are sending this out. If you are going south to fish, you should probably read it.


Washington – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) remind the traveling public that as of Jan. 31, 2008, all adult travelers will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry. DHS will be issuing a notice in the Federal Register formally announcing the change.

This change is a necessary step to prepare travelers and ease the transition to the future requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). WHTI proposes to establish documentation requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda. As recommended by the 9/11 Commission, Congress enacted WHTI in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. WHTI will result in both enhanced security and increased facilitation across the border once implemented. During this transition, DHS and the Department of State are working diligently to minimize the impact on legitimate trade and travel.

Currently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may accept oral declarations of citizenship from U.S. and Canadian citizens seeking entry into the United States through a land or sea border. However, as of January 31, 2008:

Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted
U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate
Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate
Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel
All existing nonimmigrant visa and passport requirements will remain in effect and will not be altered by this change.

DOS reminds the public that the current turnaround time for a passport is four to six weeks, so Americans planning international travel may wish to apply now. For information on obtaining a U.S. Passport visit the U.S. Department of State Website or call 1-877-487-2778. ( U.S. Department of State ) Specific documentation requirements for land, sea and air travel may be found at Ready, Set... Go!. ( Ready, Set... Go! ) To learn more about NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST, visit Trusted Traveler Programs. ( Trusted Traveler Programs )

Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release


no address available at this time
DHS Public Affairs Office

Phone:
(202) 282-8010









CBP Headquarters
Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229

[Younger]

Guys who plan on travelling anywhere outside of the US should get a passport. Makes things MUCH easier.

[Wound Up]

Just for reference, I just got my Passport. I paid a total of 173.05 for an expedited passport through my post office, and had it in 10 days.

Wound Up

[frankypettolina]

If I am reading this right, a Passport will still do the job, I don't eed to carry a birth certificate with me, do I?

[Younger]

If I am reading this right, a Passport will still do the job, I don't eed to carry a birth certificate with me, do I?

A passport will get you through customs almost anywhere in the world. No need for a birth certificate.

Make several copies of your passport and keep them in safe places. Take a copy when you travel just in case.

[frankypettolina]

I have always kept copies with me. In Costa Rica I think it is law to have either a copy or the original on you at all times.

I also keep copies of my drivers license and SS card. These must be kept secure as ID theft could be a problem with all that info readily available.

[Ozimo2]

My travel agent in So. Fla has advised me of this last year, when it was necessary to get a visa to travel to Brazil. You need to make a couple of good b&w photo copies of your passport page. Leave one at home and take the other one with you.

If you lose or have your passport stolen - the copy will help you get an emergency replacement. It proves you are who you are. The BC is only good for getting the passport.