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Passport Update
Washington,
Jan 1 -
As your future travel plans warrant, please review the following information and links provided by the U.S. State Department and the Department of Homeland Security regarding travel requirements.
The full requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) were implemented in June 2009 requiring all travelers returning to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda--including those who travel by land or sea--to have a passport or other federally approved ID. (A passport was already required for all international air travel).
The new law means adult Americans won’t be able to use just a driver’s license and birth certificate when driving or walking across the U.S. border at a Port of Entry. Travelers are advised to plan ahead and apply for their U.S. passport now if they plan to travel out of the country.
AIR TRAVEL
- U.S. Citizens of all ages traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport book or other valid travel document to exit, enter or re-enter the United States.
LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
- U.S. Citizens traveling by land and sea outside of the United States are required to present a passport book/card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States.
- Effective June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens are now required to present a passport book, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document when entering the United States.
- Please Note: Children under age 16 will be able to continue crossing land and sea borders using only a U.S. birth certificate (or other form of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate.). The original birth certificate or a copy may be used.
* For steps to apply for a new passport or to renew an existing passport click here:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_840.html
* Arizona is now home to a regional Passport Center!
Click here to learn more about the Western Passport Center:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_4573.html
* To learn more about the new Passport Card, an option for U.S. Citizens frequently crossing land borders and sea ports-of-entry when entering from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda click here:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html
* For information on the latest regulations for re-entering the U.S. click here:
http://www.dhs.gov/files/crossingborders/travelers.shtm
* To learn more about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative click here:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html#
If you need further assistance with your passport application, or to check on the status of an application you have already submitted, please call Congressman Shadegg’s Phoenix office at (602) 263-5300.
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