U.S. passport rules changing

Daily Reporter Staff

Planning to cross a U.S. border this summer?

As of June 1, 2009, anyone traveling out of the country will need to have a valid passport or passport card to re-enter the United States.

This requirement marks the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative's second phase. The first phase of this initiative, which went into effect in January 2008, required all air travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted form of documentation to enter or depart the U.S. The upcoming phase, set to take effect in 26 days, will also target travelers entering or departing via land and sea border crossings.

In Clay County, the recorder's office is the only place passports and passport cards may be applied for from the U.S. Department of State.

"A year ago, they started issuing passport cards. Those are good for the land and sea border crossings. If you're just driving into Canada or driving into Mexico, you can get by with the passport card," Clay County Recorder Shirley Goyette explained. "The passport card is good the same amount of time as a passport. Passports and passport cards for adults are good for 10 years. For children under 16, they're valid for five years."

The fee for passports and passport cards differ, though.

For adults, passports cost $75. For children 16 and under, they run $60. Both of these are made payable to the Department of State. The Clay County Recorder office receives a $25 acceptance fee per application for both types of passport.

For passport cards, the fee assessed to adults is $20. Children aged 16 and under are charged a $10 fee. Execution fees for passport cards, which is allocated to county offices, is $25.

Goyette cautions would-be travelers that it's currently taking between four and six weeks to receive a passport.

"If you need one quicker, they can expedite your application. But, that's an additional $60 fee per application," she said. "And, they urge you to pay overnight delivery to the passport agency and pay for overnight delivery back to yourself. But, then you have it in three weeks for sure."

Travel Requirements Currently:

All persons traveling by air are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. All U.S. citizens must show proof of identity and proof of U.S. citizenship when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the countries of the Caribbean by land or sea. Acceptable documents include: U.S. passport book, U.S. passport card, or other document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. citizens who do not have a single document verifying identity and citizenship must present both an identification and citizenship document. For example, a driver's license and a copy of a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

As of June 1:

The U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The proposed rules of the initiative require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card. Groups of U.S. citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or religious group, social organization or sports team will be able to enter under adult supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates or other proof of citizenship.