2007 American passport regulations

[acrzybear]

So I guess American citizens will be the only people required to have a passport to re-enter their country

 
   WASHINGTON - If you're thinking of flying or taking a cruise in 2007 that will include destinations in Canada, the Caribbean, or Mexico, you should plan to get a passport this fall.
 
Under new government regulations, by Dec. 31, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada — plus Bermuda and Panama — will be required to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States.

A year later, on Dec. 31, 2007, the requirement will be extended to all land-based border crossings as well.

This is a change from prior travel requirements under which you could go to Canada, Mexico or most Caribbean countries and re-enter the U.S. with a driver's license and birth certificate.

To find out how to get a passport, visit the State Department's travel Web site at http://www.travel.state.gov, or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778.

For a list of post offices, town clerk's offices and other facilities where passports are processed, type in your zip code at http://www.iafdb.travel.state.gov/. There are more than 7,700 such locations around the country.

Allow six weeks for processing. Peak domestic passport processing is between January and July, so you'll get your passport more quickly if you apply between August and December. You can also pay for expedited service in an emergency.

If you're 16 or older, the fees for getting a new passport total $97, not including the cost of getting passport photos. For children under 16, the fees total $82. Passport renewals are $67.

The new requirements will not affect travel between the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You'll still be able to use your birth certificate and driver's license to travel there and re-enter the U.S. after the new passport rules take effect.

Only about 25 percent of Americans have current, valid passports. But the State Department is experiencing unprecedented demand for passports, due in part to this new regulation. More than 10 million passports were issued during the last fiscal year and the State Department reports that it is on track to issue over 13 million this year.

[Maxx2]

Another way for the government to take money. $97 X 10,000,000 = almost a billion dollars and then 13 million more for this year at $97 + each. More than 2 billion dollars down the rat hole with the rats trying to figure out more ways to screw with us 

Maxx, not a fan of the Federal government.

[beattledog]

I think that this about protecting our country from the  future attacks, not by increasing revenue for the government.  We must secure our borders

Hopeful beattledog

[LatinSwede]

When time and money permits, I go to Panama to see family.  I think they're more concerned about drug couriers, than anything else coming up that way.  Miami Airport really gives us the shakedown, or at least they did.

[ronin308]

Up next a passport to cross state borders.

 This is an attempt at security in name only.  If they were interested in security they would stop the flood of people coming in from the south and another common trick.  Get on a plane and destroy your documents when in flight.  Due to the crowding of the holding cells many of them are released pending their deportation hearings.  Of course they never show.

Security yeah right.  It isn't money either as most of that $97 will go to processing the passport due to government inefficiencies.

This is just another slide down the slope to the US becoming like the "evil" communist countries we fought a cold war against.

[ConnerVT]

No need to start looking for the black helicopters just yet.  With just a little thought, it is a reasonable request by the US government.

Currently, A US citizen can enter the US (and several US friendly countries) with a birth certificate and a drivers licence.  Look at these two documents --

Drivers License -- Issues by the 50 states (and various US territories).  Each issuing body has a different set of requirement rules (which have been constantly changing over the past 5 years).  They are also issued to non-US citizens (some in the country legally, some illegally).  Each states licence looks different, and has differing security features.

Birth Certificates -- Issued by states, counties, cities, and towns, depending where in the US a person is born.  Over the past 100 years (typically people over 100 do not travel much) there are probably over 100,000 different examples of what a birth certificate looks like.  Most contain NO security measures, and in the age of computers and laser printers, are easily manufactured.

Now, the US Government wants to use the blue passport for a citizen's identification (the actual purpose for that document).  It is a document generated by the US government.  The rules for obtaining one have changed little in the past 100 years.  The physical appearance of an unexpired passport is consistant (barring minor revisions).  They contain modern security measures.

Why would the US government want to do this?

[prince_alfie]

I find it assuming now that we will start to need a passport just to watch some hockey games north of the border!

Geewhiz, what happened to the good old days when there weren't all this bureaucracy?

[beattledog]

We live in a new era.  We may not like the regulations that the goverment is issuing.

Hopeful beattledog

[viking]

FYI

I went to Canada just a few weeks ago. Needed the passport.

[catzenmouse]

FYI

I went to Canada just a few weeks ago. Needed the passport.

While this is a bit of a hit for the average joe, anyone looking to find a foreign bride should already have a passport or will have to get one anyway so the issue for us in nil. I agree that there are so many variables in the current drivers licenses (and the states put up a big hissy about having a standardized version) that it does make good sense to have this requirement. Many will still not get one as they will not/have no desire to visit another country. I'll wager that West Virginia, Missouri, Kentucky and the like will have the lowest percentage of passport holders when it is all said and done.

Ken

[ConnerVT]

FYI

I went to Canada just a few weeks ago. Needed the passport.

According to the IATA (International Air Transport Association) database, which is the 'Golden Rule' for airlines regarding international travel:

National U.S.A. (US)            /Destination CANADA (CA)

 CANADA (CA)


Recommended to hold proof of citizenship, such as:
- passport (valid for period of intended stay); or
- expired passport; or
- U.S. Birth Certificate; or
- U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization papers.
Documents that do not incorporate a photograph should be
accompanied by supporting government issued photo
identification.

Passport may bear a Canadian "Visa Office Date Stamp" (size:
26 sq. mm./1 sq. inch). This stamp is not a visa.

Visa not required, generally for a stay of max. 6 months.

Minors:
1. Parent(s) travelling with a child under 18 years:
   are strongly advised to hold documentation showing that the
   child is theirs. Parents who are separated or divorced are
   also advised to keep legal and other relevant documents in
   order to clarify custody rights.
2. Children travelling:
   - alone; or
   - with adults that have no legal custody over them:
   Are strongly advised to hold letter of travel consent
   signed by legal guardian or parent with legal custody.
   Letter of consent should contain:
   - authorisation to travel; and
   - destination in Canada, stating length of stay; and
   - signor's address and phone details.

Recommended to hold:
- return/onward ticket and all documents required for next
  destination; and
- sufficient funds.

A passport is not yet required for US citizens to travel into Canada, but it is the recommended proof of US citizenship.  My guess is your other documentation was not up to snuff (Non-photo drivers licence, photocopy/no raised seal on birth certificate).

My family traveled to Canada  about a month ago.  We all had our passports, and my wife and son had their Cond. Resident Alien Cards.  I was told by the US Immigrations officer that they did not need to show their passport, that the green card was all he needed.  Actually, they were more concerned if we had stopped at the duty free store or if we had firearms/explosives with us...

[viking]

Hi Conner,

I always travel with my passport. It eliminates a lot of hassles. When on this trip to Canada, (I do have a good DL with photo) the agents asked for the passport first. I guess it is the recommended proof of ID. When coming back through customs, they asked for it, and stamped it as well. Also a bunch of questions. It was not just a cursory look and see.

Viking

[ConnerVT]

It is always best to take your passport with you when you leave the country (even if it just up to the northern colonies  ).

Of course US Immigrations will ask for the passport first.  As I wrote up thread, it is their standard document to confirm your US citizenship.  They look at many of them every day, so it makes their job much easier (and waiting lines much shorter for everyone).  With other documentation, they need to examine the documentation much more closely, for it probably is the first time they've seen a birth certificate that was issued from East Cooterville, Illinois, forty-some odd years ago.

The family and I traveled over to Niagara Falls.  We came back over the Peace Bridge to Enter the USA.  Guess with a 7 yo in the back seat, we didn't really fit any terrorist profile, so only received a cursory glance by the Immigration officials.  But then, it was about the same for us when we entered Canada, also...