Starting today (June 1st, 2009,) international travelers may need new documentation, depending on whether they are traveling by air, land or sea.
This is the 3rd & final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative set in place by the U.S. State Department.
All U.S. citizens will need to carry a U.S. passport, or equivalent for any travel by land, sea or air, anywhere outside of the United States. A driver’s license or birth certificate will no longer be valid. If you don’t have a passport, valid “equivalents” are U.S. Passport Cards and Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST). Passport Cards are Department of Homeland Security-approved limited use passports reduced down to wallet card size, valid for land and sea travel only between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Flying out of the U.S.? Passports are the ONLY acceptable ID for entering the United States by air.
Driving to Canada or Mexico? Passports of course are acceptable. Passport cards can also be used.
Cruising? We strongly recommend everyone have a valid passport or passport card. Are there exceptions? If your cruise begins in one port and ends at another, then no. Even if your cruise starts and ends in the U.S. – such as beginning in Miami and ending in Los Angeles – you will need a passport. However if you start & end in the same U.S. port, then a government issued photo ID (driver’s license,) & proof of citizenship (such as an original birth certificate,) will work. Keep in mind, that even though there is an exception for these cruises sailing in and out of the same port, what if there was an emergency and you had to FLY back from Mexico or one of the Caribbean islands? To fly you must have a passport, so we strongly recommend everyone to register for one.
Both passports and passport cards are issued by the U.S. Department of State. Passports cost an average of $100 and are valid for 10 years. For children, passports cost around $85 and are valid for only 5 years. Passport cards cost $45 and are also valid for 10 years for adults. The cost is reduced to $20 when combined with a new or passport renewal. It can take up to 6 weeks to receive a passport, so don’t procrastinate.
