New United States Passport Laws

WHY ARE THERE NEW US PASSPORT LAWS?
In order to make our U.S. borders safer, the U.S. Government through it’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implemented new passport laws that began January 23, 2007. However, the government said they were ill-prepared, and the system became bogged down. Government Site They hired more people and set up more locations to try to get back on schedule.

WHAT ARE THEY… AND WHO DO THEY APPLY TO?
According to the U.S Department of State, the new laws apply to ALL travelers, including infants, flying to and from Canada, Mexico, S. America, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Unlike in the past, to re-enter the United States, ALL travelers must now have a passport or other accepted documents. Other accepted documents are HERE. Existing passport laws apply to all other foreign locations.

Originally, until January 2008, a US passport was not going to be required to drive across a border or to take a cruise (land or sea travel). The new date has been proposed to start June 1, 2009

Passport Process Updates!

 

 

Feb. 1, 2008 – There is a new limited use U. S. Passport Card. Production will begin in June but the U S. Government is taking applications now. The cards are for land and sea travel only. You will still need the standard passport book for air travel. The Passport cards are smaller and tracked with RFID technology. They are cheaper than the standard passport. There is a higher charge for first time applications. Check the gov. for the long list of requirements: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html.

Nov. 2, 2007 – A Congressional investigation indicates U.S. citizens were overcharged for their passports. Senators Byron Dorgan D-ND and Charles Schumer D-NY say it could be over $100 million. This adds insult to injury after the system broke down for months causing citizens to miss vacations. Those who paid an expedite fee or other charges to the government could be affected. Check the government site to apply for a refund. http://travel.state.gov

 

 

Sept. 30, 2007 – the last day to travel with a proof of passport application. On Oct. 1, 2007 everyone will need a passport again.

Travellers’ complaints force change – On June 21, 2007 the Department of Homeland Security decided to extend the January 2008 deadline for land and sea to the summer of 2008. There is talk they may extend it into 2009. Remember, this is separate from the Sep. 30, 2007 deadline for a passport requirement when flying.

A 17 month delay may be on the way! – On June 15, 2007 the House of Representatives voted to prevent final implementation of the WHTI until June 2009.The January 1, 2008 plan to require all people entering the U.S. by land and sea to have a passport (or other appropriate form of federal identification) has been taken off the fast track. Before this action can become official, the Senate must approve the package and it must then be signed by President Bush.

Huge backlog forces change again – On June 8, 2007 the government relaxed the rules again for U.S. citizens flying within the Western Hemisphere (Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean). The new change is that through September 30, 2007 if you have applied but not yet received your passport, you can present a government issued photo identification and a receipt from the Department of State website showing proof of application for passport. BE AWARE…The government phone lines are jammed and waiting lines are crammed. Once you apply, there is a period before your application is recognized in their tracking system. But BE AWARE…the wait periods vary. The government’s website has conflicting statements. One paragraph says for routine service it takes 7-10 days to get tracked; another paragraph on the same page says it takes 3-4 weeks!

Relaxation of laws for children – On Feb. 22, 2007, in a speech in Detroit, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced moves the government will make to relax the rules for U.S. and Canadian children. Final legislation is pending. According to Chertoff, children will still be required to have a passport to fly into the U.S., but beginning in January 2008 children 15 and under with parental consent travelling by land or sea will only need to show a certified copy of their birth certificate rather than a passport. This also holds true for U.S. and Canadian children 16 through 18 travelling with religious, school, athletic or cultural groups while under adult supervision. We could not find any mention of this on the government website. A passport is not required to travel to Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John), American Samoa, Swains Island and Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands because these are commonwealths or territories of the U.S. Some people think they need a passport for Hawaii and Alaska but these are states.Source: http://www.newpassportlaws.com/NewLawsReadMore.htm

Citizens of Mexico, Canada, and Bermuda will now have to have a passport to enter the U.S.

Source: http://www.newpassportlaws.com/NewLawsReadMore.htm