The U.S. Department of State is changing some international travel requirements on June 1, 2009. Among these new rules is the requirement that everyone traveling between the United States and Mexico provide valid identification—such as a passport—for reentry back into the U.S.

In an effort to simplify this transition, the State Department has created the U.S. Passport Card (Passcard). Passcards are wallet-sized official travel documents that are less expensive than the traditional passport book. For travel along the U.S.-Mexico border, Passcards and traditional passports are both recognized as valid.

Passcards may only be used for land border crossings and ports of entry between the U.S. and Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. The Passcard may not be used for international air travel.

You can find out where to apply for a Passcard on the State Department’s website.