New Passport Rules for "Local" Travel

New Passport Rules: A Driver's License Won't Do

In a post-Sept. 11 world U.S. citizens are constantly reminded that the global climate has changed, and the business of borders—even among North American neighbors—is getting more serious.

By AP Editors

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.

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