What's changed about Passport Requirements?
Before January 2007, US citizens were able to travel to Canada, Mexico, and many countries in the Caribbean without needing passports. Birth certificates and photo id were sufficient.
Passport ID is now required, as part of a "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative" that the US is implementing for border security. (Read more at the US State Dept. site.)
The first phase of new passport requirements began January 23 2007, for air travel: all US citizens -- adults and kids--need passports for air travel to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada, in order to enter or re-enter the US.
Arrivals by sea: cruise passengers, meanwhile, have a different date; passports won't be required until June 1 2009, for those crossing borders by sea.
Likewise, for land border crossings from Canada and Mexico, passports won't be required until June 1 2009.
Meanwhile, those without passports definitely need alternative documents: since Jan. 31 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older must present proof of identity (photo ID) AND citizenship at border crossings. Children ages 18 and under only need proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.(See updates for Canada and Mexico.)
Getting Your Passports: Important Points for Family Travelers
Start Early
Using normal procedures, getting a new passport has typically taken up to six weeks. A number of Expedited Services are available, but at a price.
Note too that for some types of travel you need to have your passport far in advance of the actual departure date. Disney Cruise Line, for example, asks that you provide passport numbers at least 75 days prior to travel dates.
Where to Apply
You can apply at one of 14 Passport Agencies; in addition, over 7000 public places accept passport applications. Find the location nearest you by entering your zip code at the Passport Acceptance Facility Search Pageat the US Department of State site. (Renewals may be done by mail if certain conditions are met.)
Special Requirements for Children
When applying for a passport for kids under age 14, personal appearances are required by both parents, and by the child; and you'll also need to show several types of documents.
As stated in the Online Application Form for a US Passport:
- both parents or the child's legal guardian(s) must appear, and each minor child applying for a passport must appear as well
- as for documents: you not only need to show evidence of the child's US citizenship, but also evidence of the child's relationship to parents/guardians, and parental identification as well. Check which documents are acceptable.
For children age 14 to 17: see notes at the US Dept. of State site; best bet is to accompany your child to the Passport Acceptance Facility.
Passport Costs
You'll need to add to your vacation budget: $97 for each passport for an adult, and $82 for each child under 16.
Watch Out For Expiry!
Unlike passports for adults -- which are good for 10 years-- passports issued to kids under 16 expire in five years.
Also, be aware that some countries want your passport to be valid for 6 months past your travel date. So double-check that expiry date!
Single Parents
If only one parent can appear when applying for the child's passport, certain procedures need to be followed: be sure to read them carefully, on the Online Application Form for a US Passport form.
USVI and Puerto Rico
The new requirements do not affect travel between the United States and its territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Good links:
- easy-to-read detailed instructions for obtaining passports for the whole family, at the Disney Cruise site
- all the official instructions about Obtaining at Passport, at the US Dept. of State site
- * Online Application Form for a US Passport-- don't sign this form before you go, it must be signed in the presence of the Passport Acceptance Agent!
- lots of detailed advice about documents, what type of birth certificates are acceptable, single parent situations and more at VacationKids.com.
- list of entry documents required by other countries - the US Department of State's "Consular Information Sheet"
* A proposed exemption would allow U.S. and Canadian children 15 years and younger, with parental consent, to enter the U.S. with a certified copy of their birth certificate; also, youths age 16 through 18 would be able to cross borders with school groups, clubs, sports teams, etc. Read more.
-photo courtesy James Martin, About's Guide for Europe for Visitors
