That vacation to the Caribbean islands and Bermuda or quick
shopping trip across the border to Mexico or Canada now requires
some extra ID.
That vacation to the Caribbean islands and Bermuda or quick shopping trip across the border to Mexico or Canada now requires some extra ID.
The Northern California branch of the American Automobile Association (AAA) reminds travelers that as of June 1, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security now requires American citizens to carry a passport or passport card in order to return to the United States from these destinations.
“When coming home from these destinations, travelers used to be able to use different forms of ID such as voter registration cards and birth certificates to get back into the United States, but those are no longer accepted,” said Matt Skryja, AAA Northern California spokesman.
Acceptable forms of identification include the new U.S. Passport Card introduced in July 2008. The card can be used on cruise trips for re-entry at U.S. ports and at land border crossings from Canada and Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
However, it is not valid for air travel. The Passport Card has a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that links up with government databases.
The card costs $45 for a first-time adult applicant and $35 for those under age 16.
Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal by mail and pay only $20.
The traditional passport book is still valid for travel anywhere in the world by air, land and sea.
To get or renew a passport book visit http://travel.state.gov.
Travelers over the age of 16 who are also eligible to renew by mail can get a new passport for $75. Most first-time applicants must appear in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility, and the total cost is $100 if they are age 16 or older. The cost is $85 for minors under age 16.
It typically takes from four to six weeks for delivery.
The U.S. State Department suggests that anyone planning to travel outside the country should get one of the approved documents as soon as possible.
AAA offers the following tips to assist in the passport application process:
– Use black ink when completing all application forms. Blue is accepted if it is dark enough to scan, but applications have been rejected.
– All children regardless of age must have their own passport. There are special requirements for minors under age 16 and for 16 and 17 year-olds. Children under 16 must apply in person with both parents/guardians present or follow Parental Consent guidelines using form DS-3053. Also, 16 and 17 year-olds must establish parental consent. For additional requirements for minors and more information visit http://travel.state.gov.
– If minor children are traveling abroad with or without both parents and guardians, a notarized letter of consent may be required. That’s because many governments have adopted various traveling requirements in an effort to keep children safe while traveling internationally. They include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission of the parent(s) or legal guardian for the child to travel.
Parents of minor children (under 18 years old) should carefully document legal custody prior to traveling.
