Last year when a new travel law enforcing everyone going out of the country to present their passport, there was a clamor in most travelers. The announcement was abrupt and the agency that issues passports are on a backlog. That seemed to be unfair since for years US travelers only need to show their identification to be able to go through and visit Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Because of the inconveniences, the law was temporarily suspended. But those that are allowed to travel without a passport still have to show proof that they applied for a passport.
Now the backlog has been cleared and the law is slowly being enforced. As of this writing, anyone who travels by air to these mentioned countries and territories have to show their passports. This will be required for travel from now on. You can’t say to the people in the airlines that you’re waiting for the passport to come and all you have is a receipt.
The US government was able to produce 12 million passports last year to answer the backlog. When the backlog of passports started, it used to be more than two months before you could actually receive the passport. The usual turnaround time for passport requests is now in six weeks which is the standard procedure.
If you’re not traveling by air, you can still show the customary papers to go through the border. It could be a government issued ID such as drivers license or marriage certificate. For kids, they will be required to show their birth certificate to be allowed to cross the borders of the country. But you have to show that you applied for passport.
The exception of land and water based travel will not stay long. In January 2008, anyone who crosses the border should show their passports. Even when you’re traveling by land, air or water, you do not only show a valid ID but you have to show your passport at the same time. Passport is also required if you want to go back to the country. That includes the kids and the infants.
Another temporary exception will be those that will travel before the end of the year and will go back on January 2008. Since a passport is not required to pass through the borders before 2008, you can go back without any passport required.
So if you’re planning to go to these places sometime next year, better apply for a passport now. If it’s your first time to apply for a passport, you have to do it in person. There are more than 9,000 centers that you can apply personally around the country. A personal appearance is also required if you’re passport has been expired for more than 15 years. For passport renewals, you can go online and download the form. Send the form with two passport-worthy photos and $67.00 renewal fee.
If you want your processing expedited, add $60.00 for rush processing but standard processing is only six to eight weeks. Give yourself at least two months before you can actually go out of the country from now on.
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